RAFT became the primary housing safety net during COVID-19. }. Owners, managers, and service providers sustain our nonprofit trade association with membership dues. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent. The consequences for noncompliance are potentially severe, up to $50,000. Our assessment is that claims are less likely where RAFT would not fully cover arrears and future shortfall, but more likely where RAFT would. You skipped the table of contents section. Landlords and property owners can (a) begin the RAFT application process for their tenants who may need to request financial assistance for overdue rent OR (b) complete the application once the tenant has submitted their application. The Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC) This verbiage implies that families who receive rental vouchers may also receive RAFT funds, at least under certain circumstances. RAFT provides qualifying households with maximum benefit limit of $10,000 per household in a 12-month period. Landlord/Property Owner Portal Reference Guide Information for Applicants Effective August 1, 2022 the maximum benefit limit on the RAFT Program is $10,000 per household in a 12-month period. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program DHCD's federally funded Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) and Subsidized Housing Emergency Rental Assistance (SHERA) stopped taking new applications on April 15, 2022. For households applying to RAFT for assistance with rent arrears, a Notice to Quit or eviction notice/court summons is now required. Subsidies resulting from RAFT applications during the COVID-19 pandemic were capped at 15 months total benefit. The application will also require property owner documents if requesting arrears or start-up costs. In August 2022, the limit was changed again. If none of these are available, the applicant can self-certify. RAFT can assist families with emergency rental situations, but it lacks the long-term stability of permanent rental subsidies. TheVolunteer Lawyers Projectassists low-income owners of 1-4 family homes with referrals, legal information, and legal representation for COVID-related evictions statewide in Housing Court. endstream endobj 2600 0 obj <>stream Applications received by April 15th, 2022 will be considered for ERAP until all funds have been allocated. Please let us know how we can improve this page. Households can apply by submitting an online application. A households income must be at or below 50 percent. Since RAFT monies can be used for more purposes than just late rentwhat may have happened in situations where the tenant got RAFT support but the landlord never saw any money was that the tenant directed the payment to an additional vendor as well as to a new landlord.. Renter advocates, who (like all attorneys) must zealously defend their clients, would likely raise the discrimination issue. The new application portal is designed to replace the current central application process. Use this button to show and access all levels. This could include loss of income or increased expenses for those families in the higher income group (3080% AMI depending on funding source). RAFT may be used for the following costs: One prospective (future) rent payment (stipend) in limited situations, Moving-related expenses (first/last/security, moving trucks, and furniture). Appropriate uses of funds include, but are not limited to: Financial Assistance Application Haitian Creole, Financial Assistance Application Portuguese, Financial Assistance Application Vietnamese, Financial Assistance Application in Chinese, Metro Housing|Boston If you are unable to access or submit an online application, please email us at HCEC@rcapsolutions.org or call us at 978-630-6771 for assistance. To view all of this presentation, you must be logged-in and a member in good standing. You must have your application number in order to submit documents or to determine which agency is processing your application. Prior to COVID-19, RAFT monies were only awarded if the applicant could demonstrate a way to remain in housing after the RAFT funds has been expended. Some page levels are currently hidden. As of April 16, 2022, the state also allowed for partial payments on behalf of the primary tenant to the landlord or utility company, for those entering co-housing situations. ,h^$dXcbM/0&4EcTg$H]^A/H][LE1y If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Applying for Rental Assistance in Massachusetts to Avoid Eviction, contact the Housing and Community Development. The requirement of only one set of signatures; Reduced documentation requirements for household identification new income verification processes will allow for automatic data matching with DTA, MassHealth, or DOR (UIOnline and WageMatch). The answer is no, RAFT funding can be spent on any housing needs that will keep someone from becoming homeless. Learn more about RAFT here. RAFT is administered by eleven Regional Administering Agencies (RAAs) as well as the Rental Assistance Processing (RAP) Center operated by Nan McKay and Associates (NMA). ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. In case you cannot afford counsel, a provision of the governors Eviction Diversion Initiative set aside funds to help provide legal counsel to people who could not afford representation (a sizable percentage of mom-and-pop landlords). There are many cases in Massachusetts in which landlords are owed rent of well over $10,000, such that RAFT alone would not cure arrearages or cover foreseeable future shortfall. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state, Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) Program. The program can also be used to help families who are already homeless pay for necessary costs to get into a house or apartment. It can provide funds for the same housing-related expenses that RAFT covers. The long answer is a bit more complicated. Step 3: Program staff will review your funds application and will contact you asking for further documentation, if needed. Find your regional agency and income eligibility data, Find Spanish language resources for landlords, FAQs for landlords about accepting state funded rental assistance. Slides are available only for members in good standing who are logged in. Owners, managers, and service providers sustain our nonprofit trade association with membership dues. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. contact the Housing and Community Development. If you need assistance, please contact the Housing and Community Development. (MassLandlords data, compiled through a rent survey as part of the Individual Claims Council initiative, shows that average arrears are $4,169 among 59 respondents, representing 765 rental units. Fax . This could delay the approval process. Better Lives. Landlords should be aware that Chapter 151B of the Massachusetts General Laws prohibits discrimination by a landlord against any tenant receiving federal, state, or local housing subsidies, including rental assistance or rental supplements, because the individual is such a recipient. Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Applying for Rental Assistance in Massachusetts to Avoid Eviction, online through the Commonwealths Central Application, contact the Housing and Community Development, Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program. As of Aug. 1 2022, households can obtain up to 12 months of assistance, capped at $10,000. Some page levels are currently hidden. Boston, MA 02120-3401 Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a5c456cd3303e18db58e64ae9037f11f" );document.getElementById("gb405c62cf").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent. Better Communities. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. During(or after)the RAFT benefit period, the tenant violates a lease clause that is unrelated to payment of rent. Learn about rental assistance programs available to eligible tenants. +8(!a]FJ@J3D8OzF@F@@AOaGJh pC4z :If your tenant has already submitted an application for rental assistance, please do not reapply. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. RAFT and ERMA are Massachusetts programs that provide financial assistance to eligible households facing a housing crisis, and can be used for things like paying rent in the future, paying rent owed (overdue rent or "arrears"), or for some other housing-related costs. If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. Is RAFT COVID $10k Optional for Landlords? - MassLandlords.net Funded by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), RAFT is described as a homelessness prevention program[that] provides short-term financial assistance to low-income families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. In other words, it is flexible funding that can be used for a variety of housing-related expenses, depending on the needs of the individual family. Homeowners may access mortgage and other assistance through the federal Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF). 4CN|DtA$1 EG>JR ` 4pF :GI6*ozq}GGv|wK}xl7YR{S1!e/y''gOa[5eW?|ni_lwok_k/>_n~@>?n._*^m7wl?YxRSDxN.vsKWUI,VKz0?1S#j?^^7?Pi^SWBoRG\>Ai,EDHieYu-y/3o[K/dom~I_~ZsN}{L=MWi|92}e |Mg_:lW?b1ZK}AGJn]/9fT+E -gS&r%a9Yc9jd+Yl>{q\thE=oV~cWj)~X6O ~*%O9%# ? For information on how to request assistance, please clickhere. G.L. They may be eligible for assistance from the state that will send rent payments directly to you, the landlord. You can apply for RAFT online through the Commonwealths Central Application. endstream endobj 2599 0 obj <>stream Applications already in progress continued to be processed through the system already in place. The RAFT COVID program is an enhancement to the regular 15-year-old RAFT program, which provides up to $4,000 for eligible households to pay for rent, mortgage, utilities or moving expenses. Proceed with caution if you are a landlord considering declining RAFT COVID funding, especially in cases in which the funds would fully cover rent arrears, could cure nonpayment, and/or stabilize the tenancy. This gives applicants 21 days to complete and submit their application once it has been started. In those cases, landlords may seek to evict before the RAFT process has begun. RAFT helps all kinds of households by providing up to $10,000, within a 12-month period, to help preserve current housing or move to new housing. The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) announced the pilot program for its new application portal for the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT). Blog Is RAFT COVID $10k Optional for Landlords? Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. A landlord is required to notify a tenant if they've applied for eviction, This first notice is called a notice to quit and it should state why the landlord is evicting you. The RAFT COVID program is presented as an option to landlords, who may, according to its language, decide whether or not to accept the funding in excess of $4,000. In addition to the documents listed above, an application for RAFT also requires documentation from your landlord/property owner. This funding source no longer matters. In 2020, this limit was increased to $10,000, but was decreased to $7,000 within a rolling 12-month period on Jan. 1, 2022. If additional income documentation is needed, the organization processing your RAFT application will reach out to you to request it. Sue McMahon, a property manager for Winton Corp, a large rental complex in West Springfield, has been waiting months since summer in one case for word on RAFT applications for three of her tenants. We can help. First published December 17th, 2020 | Once you have submitted your application, your landlord/property owner will be asked to provide the following documents: The RAFT application takes between 20-50 minutes to complete. The process for referrals from partner agencies has several steps: For greatest efficiency and to ensure the swiftest process, please provide all required documents and explanation of the housing crisis. Furniture. It will take between four and seven weeks to process all applications. Does it matter whether RAFT COVID would cure or not? Are your tenants behind on rent? There are two additional tools for landlords and tenants to prevent an eviction. We will use this information to improve this page. The landlord will receive a special code they must enter in the portal before completing their portion of the application. RAFT helps all kinds of households by providing up to $10,000 per household to help preserve current housing or move to new housing. Landlords can apply for RAFT! Monday 8 AM 4 PM If a family is determined to be ineligible for benefits, they may reapply after 30 days. Visit this page to understand what to expect when you or your tenant applies for emergency housing payment assistance. Some regionals are releasing funds within three weeks of receiving a complete application. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. Consent is implied when the tenant fills out their portion of the application. If you do not provide the required information within two weeks, your application will be timed out. It is very important to submit a complete application. To begin the landlord/property owner application process, you must first register an account as a new user if you have not already done so here: User Registration (mass.gov). Open the email and click on the link provided to create your Landlord application. LAS VEGAS (KSNV) The City of Las Vegas is taking applications once again for its newly re-funded Rental Assistance for Tenants (RAFT) program. Please do not include personal or contact information. A lock icon ( To check which agency is processing your application, visit theCentral Application Portaland click Application Information. You can also use the Central Application Portal to upload additional documents after your application is submitted. Submitted lets the landlord or tenant know that the application has been submitted but is still waiting for the other party to match with the application using the specialized code. Landlords should be aware that Chapter 151B of the Massachusetts General Laws prohibits discrimination bya landlord against anytenant receiving federal, state, or local housing subsidies, including rentalassistance or rental supplements, because the individual is such a recipient. Search Eviction Records by Address (Beta). How Landlords Can Apply for RAFT | Mass.gov The feedback will only be used for improving the website. The program can also be used to help families who are already homeless pay for necessary costs to get into a house or apartment. RAFT helps families who are behind on rent, mortgage payments, or utility bills. This language leaves open the possibility that it may be interpreted as discriminatory to evict a renter who has received public rental assistance. Paper applications will still be available at RAAs if tenants need them. Landlords should be aware that Chapter 151B of the Massachusetts General Laws prohibits discrimination by a landlord against any tenant receiving federal, state, or local housing subsidies . Our staff will call back to assist you in the order your message was received. The time between submitting a RAFT application and receiving a RAFT award or denial varies. As discussed earlier, families who receive RAFT funding can use that money for a variety of purposes to avoid becoming homeless or to find housing if they are currently homeless. If you are a landlord and you believe your tenant may be eligible for rental assistance, you should: Learn about the RAFT program and other available resources. 1411 Tremont Street Despite statements from the Baker-Polito administration and our best efforts at clarification, we are unable to verify that the expanded limit of RAFT COVID will be declared legally optional by a court. The landlord contacted VLP to seek legal advice. Landlords should also check general income eligibility for programs. h[.wi343h7XMnh~74s9Jz=(WosJFY'*[ c. 151B s. 4 states that it is an unlawful practice: For any person furnishing credit, services or rental accommodations to discriminate against any individual who is a recipient of federal, state, or local public assistance, including medical assistance, or who is a tenant receiving federal, state, or local housing subsidies, including rental assistance or rental supplements, because the individual is such a recipient, or because of any requirement of such public assistance, rental assistance, or housing subsidy program.. Applying online is the most direct and efficient way to apply for financial assistance. A lock icon ( However, if you are unable to complete the application online, please emailhc@cmhaonline.orgor call508-752-5519, ext. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. A landlord who accepts RAFTfundingdoes not losethe ability to file for eviction due tolease violations that may occur in the future. Landlords should consult their own legal counsel for advicebefore declining rental assistance that covers all outstanding rent arrears. Step 2: Your LANDLORD/PROPERTY OWNER, must also submit a landlord application. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can also help youfind a housing counseling agency (HCA). Before you begin your application, be sure you have the following documents ready to upload: ID for Head of Household (expired or international forms of ID are acceptable), Verification of current housing (example: your current lease or rental agreement), Verification of eligible housing crisis and arrears (examples: a Notice to Quit from your landlord; eviction notice; or documentation showing an inability to stay in your current home due to health, safety, or other reasons). 24th Annual Mulligan Tournament Friday, June 9th, 2023 8:00AM Purchase Tickets and Sponsorships RAFT For Tenants, Landlords & Utilities Important Rental Assistance Update New RAFT Applicant? Other funding would need to be lined up first. We will use this information to improve this page. Since each HCEC has its own website, we have tried to list the RAFT application links here: If any link doesn't work, visit the Housing Consumer Education Centers site, find the regional HCEC page, and then tell us which link to change. Until Jan. 1, 2023, a Notice to Quit must be accompanied by information about tenants rights and rental assistance options. Toll-Free: 800.272.0990 City of Las Vegas 'RAFT' to help tenants behind on rent In this article, well look at what RAFT is, who it is designed to benefit, how it affects landlords and the areas where it could be doing more for families in need. Applications processed on or after Aug. 1, 2022, are eligible to receive up to $10,000 in RAFT funds. If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. Once you submit your application through the online portal, a Regional Administering Agency (RAA) or the Rental Assistance Processing Center (RAP Center) will process your application. contact the Housing and Community Development. On the other hand, in certain conditions, Section 8 might cause the landlord to lose money. Landlords and tenants can see their application status change as it moves through the system. These twelve organizations process RAFT applications, request additional documentation as needed, and administer RAFT benefits (directly to the landlord or utility provider). Homeowners may be eligible for assistance through the Homeowners Assistance Fund. 172. What Happens If I Can't Pay Rent? How to Avoid Eviction in Mass. - NBC Monthly updates, smart and relevant articles, and free premium content. Use this button to show and access all levels. Financial Assistance for Renters and Homeowners - Way Finders When you submit the application, you give consent to DHCD to search other state agency databases to see if your income has already been verified by another qualifying program. Massachusetts Community Mediation Centers also offer free pre-court mediation between landlords and tenants for COVID-19 related lease disputes in addition to the summary process cases referred through the courts. Tuesday 8 AM 7 PM Please limit your input to 500 characters. MassachusettsCommunity Mediation Centersare offering free pre-courtmediationbetweenlandlords and tenants for lease disputesin addition to the summary process cases referred through the courts. LANDLORD JOURNEYS: Understand what to expect when you or your tenant applies for emergency housing payment assistance. A renter can apply once they have received a court summons or a notice to quit for owed rent. If an individual needs assistance in completing their form, mass.gov reports that the regional agencies can provide help. A list of regional agencies can be found at the Massachusetts Housing Consumer Education Centers site. RAFT helps all kinds of households by providing up to $10,000, within a 12-month period, to help preserve current housing or move to new housing. Your email address will not be published. This included applications received prior to that date that were not processed until after the first. If the landlord accepts, they forfeit the right to evict for six months or until June 2021. RAFT / HAF - Home Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance Applicants must meet certain criteria to be eligible for RAFT: Risk of homelessness/housing instability (example: applicant has received a Notice to Quit), Currently renting or moving to a new rental, Income at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI), or 60% of AMI for households who are at risk of domestic violence (you can check AMI in your city/town using this online tool). Upon application submission, you will be asked to provide: Proof of ownership of the unit. Eventually, that number increased, and families were able to access up to $4,000 in funds, with the possibility of reapplying after 12 months if they needed additional assistance. All calls are free and confidential. Log in or join today and gain access all presentations and videos. They will also be able to register multiple properties under one profile, as long as all of the properties have the same tax identification number. Until Jan. 1, 2023, Landlords are required to send a notice to quit for non-payment of rent. Tenant income eligibility limit forassistanceis 50%of the Area Median Income(AMI), or 60% of AMI for households who are at risk of domestic violence. Applicants who have not already done so will be prompted to create a new profile and account. Please limit your input to 500 characters. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent. Please do not include personal or contact information. 2598 0 obj <>stream Be sure to provide contact information for your landlord/property owner in your RAFT application. Landlords will be able to log in and see all applications for their properties at once, as well as check application statuses in real time. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent costs, as well as future rent in limited situations. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition) is a state-funded homelessness prevention program. Not submitted means an application has been started, but not completed and turned in. RAFT provides qualifying households with up to $10,000 per year to preserve current housing or move to new housing. If you would like to speak with a foreclosure counselor regarding your options, a list of foreclosure counselors by region is available here. We will use this information to improve this page. A lock icon ( Find contact information for your RAA here. More information is available here, or you can go to https://hedfuel.azurewebsites.net/ to find a legal aid program near you. Gov. You can find information of HAFhereorcall 2-1-1 for more information. Se enfrenta al desalojo? The short answer is: No. Open to all. Refusing RAFT = Discrimination? Yes, Says Attorney General You can check AMI limits in your city/town here. Your support is critical to help alleviate and prevent the impact of homelessness in Boston. On December 12, 2022, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) launched a new online application portal for tenants and landlords to submit RAFT applications and required documents. Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) Funds Still Available Landlords can apply directly for rental assistance on behalf of eligible residents. The state RAFT program may provide up to up to $10,000 per household in a 12-month period for rent and other housing costs, including moving expenses. Home / Tenants / Landlords / Helping People Apply / FAQ /. Interpreter services are available in multiple languages. Massachusetts' Rental Assistance for Families in Transition program, or RAFT, offers funds for eligible households facing eviction, loss of utilities or other housing . Website Design by Compete Now. Housing verification (Examples: a lease, tenancy agreement, or tenancy at will agreement) Proof of Identity of the property owner. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Residents can call 702-229-5935 if they are facing an eviction or need help applying for the RAFT program Monday-Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. RAFT - Community Teamwork If you need assistance, please contact the Housing and Community Development. Monthly updates, smart and relevant articles, and free premium content. Alandlord's refusal to accept emergency rental assistance,thatcoversthe entire amount owed to the landlord,may,in some circumstances,constitute a violation of Chapter 151B. CC BY-SA 4.0 MassLandlords. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent, as well as future rent in limited situations. Please do not include personal or contact information. Under the current system, landlords applying on behalf of their tenants must include a signed tenant consent form, but the dual nature of the new portal application removes the need for this. This was much higher than previously and since. . RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition) The Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) program ended on December 31, 2021. Maximum arrears are $44,615.). Apply here Already applied? The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. If your renters are in a tough spot, it is worth checking to see if RAFT funds are available and if your renters qualify. If the landlord applies on behalf of the tenant, the tenant will receive the code and a prompt to begin their part of the application. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. The new agreement would still need tocomply with all RAFT requirements. In other words, no, your tenant did not just keep their RAFT funds. (781) 581-8600, Hours Thank you for your website feedback! Signed W-9 in the name of the property owner. Section 8 requires an inspection, to certify a rental units health and safety suitability. Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT), a short-term Massachusetts rental subsidy program, is designed to help families who are at risk of becoming homeless transition into stable housing.
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