raft program for landlords
The answer is no, RAFT funding can be spent on any housing needs that will keep someone from becoming homeless. 2598 0 obj <>stream The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. (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. [email protected] 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). Families living in emergency shelters are not eligible for RAFT funds, and in theory, RAFT is the superior program, as the goal of the Commonwealth is to keep families out of shelters in the first place. oSSx3xg=]z3|3|1Y|L8fu?|O>w~>~~o>j~Vc~_yw|yw/k7w/xwq&-Gd[WW? RAFT provides qualifying households with up to $10,000 per household in a 12-month period to preserve current housing or move to new housing. If the landlord accepts, they forfeit the right to evict for six months or until June 2021. Applicationsfor rental assistance received after April 15th will be considered for assistance under the more targeted state-fundedResidential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program, subject to fundingavailability. One way of proving eligibility can be by providing a months worth of pay stubs, or self-certification that this source of income is gone. Program administrators will determine if your application qualifies for ERMA or RAFT. This could include loss of income or increased expenses for those families in the higher income group (3080% AMI depending on funding source). RAFT is a one-time or as-needed subsidy currently in vogue, with none of the long-term stabilizing power of permanent rental subsidy, but with more responsive application timeframes. Landlords of tenants who receive RAFT COVID funds do not lose the right to evict due to lease violations, or in the event that agreements including use of RAFT funds are not complied with. If you are unable to access or submit an online application, please email us at [email protected] or call us at 978-630-6771 for assistance. Landlords and property managers will be able to create a profile on the portal with their W-9 and payment information. 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. We will use this information to improve this page. It is very important landlords coordinate with tenants before they apply for rental assistance. This would seem to suggest that RAFT cannot be refused even when it would not fully cover arrears. Tuesday 8 AM 7 PM 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. Landlords should consult their own legal counsel for advicebefore declining rental assistance that covers all outstanding rent arrears. Does it matter whether RAFT COVID would cure or not? Presentation: RAFT (How to Apply on behalf of Renters), DHCD Announces New RAFT Application Portal Pilot Began Nov. 14, literature published by Metro Housing Boston, Housing Assistance Corporation RAFT Application, Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority RAFT Application, Berkshire Housing Development Corporation RAFT Application, Information for landlords on emergency housing assistance, Find your regional agency and income eligibility, The Housing Assistance Application Reference Guide, Statewide Rental Real Estate Networking and Training, Community Teamwork RAFT Application for North Shore, Lowell, Lawrence link coming soon, South Middlesex Opportunity Council RAFT Application for MetroWest link coming soon. The RAAs can either assist the tenant with setting up an email address or can act as a tenant advocate to get the application process started. 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. Your support is critical to help alleviate and prevent the impact of homelessness in Boston. If your tenant has not previously applied for rental assistance, start an application by asking for your tenant to sign the required consent form that is available through the regional agency. Landlords can apply directly for rental assistance on behalf of eligible residents. Emergency Housing Payment Assistance (RAFT), Specialized Intensive Programs & Services (SIPS), Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), Massachussets Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), Please complete and submit your application for financial assistance, Rental Relief, Utility Arrears & Eviction Prevention, At this time, the MA Emergency Housing payment Assistance Application is not accepting applications from homeowners. Click below for a step-by-step guide on how to apply for the RAFT program: For additional RAFT application resources for tenants and landlords, please read our blog post here. People applying for RAFT must do so in the region where they intend to use their RAFT benefits. 1. 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. You can find more information on RAFT and other housing resources by dialing 2-1-1, contacting your local Housing Consumer Education Center(HCEC), or at the following links: Emergency Housing Payment Assistance during COVID-19, Report fraud, waste, or abuse of the RAFT program, Please listen for phone menu options for DHCD divisions. . 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. IMPORTANT: If you have multiple tenants completing applications, please make sure to respond to EACH landlord invitation email. There are two additional tools for landlords and tenants to prevent an eviction. Homeowners can continue to access the federal Homeowner Assistance Fund(HAF). A lock icon ( Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. If the link above does not work (please notify us using the "Need a Hand" widget below and right), then go to the regional directly. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, How Landlords Can Apply for RAFT, is, Upload Documents or Check Application Information, Call Massachusetts 2-1-1, Informational and referral hotline at, Landlords must obtain and submit asigned tenant consent form beforeapplying for assistance., determineincome eligibility for themetro area of your property. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies RAFT helps all kinds of households by providing up to $10,000 per household, within a 12-month period, to help preserve current housing or move to new housing. The following documentation is required to apply: However, if COVID RAFT is mandatory and must be accepted for eligible renters, it presents a serious financial hardship for some owners who are not in position to forgive arrears or forswear termination. Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Boston is approximately $1,927 (taken from a combination of averages calculated by listing rental agencies Zumper and apartmentlist.com). To view all of this presentation, you must be logged with webinar access. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent, as well as forward rent in limited situations. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. If a family had used RAFT funds to stave off becoming homeless, but in the end were not able to remain in housing, they could see less HomeBASE funding later on. _ A lawyer can advise you about the law, refer you to resources, fill out and file court papers, and represent you. 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. These deadlines were shared with MassLandlords and others by a state official over the March 25, 2021, stakeholder zoom. If you are unable to assist your client in completing the online application, printable applications can be found below. Use this button to show and access all levels. Owners, managers, and service providers sustain our nonprofit trade association with membership dues. Administrators will also look at why the family is homeless or at risk of becoming so. All calls are free and confidential. 100 Cambridge St, Suite 300, Boston, MA 02114. If you have questions regarding how to complete the application, please contact Metro Housings Housing Hub at 617-425-6700 or via e-mail at [email protected]. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. It is important to submit a complete application for RAFT to receive support quickly. First published December 17th, 2020 | If you have already submitted an application, you can use this portal to upload additional documents and see which RAA is processing your application: If you are unable to upload additional documents to the portal, you may also provide them in ONE of the following ways: Please include the applicants name and Application ID# on all documents. The onus is on the landlord to report a move-out to the Regional Administering Agency. For Landlords. After the end of the RAFT benefit period, the tenant does not payrentor otherwise violates the lease. Tenants and landlords can use mediation to resolve their problems without any court filing, or through court referrals. If you think RAFT could help your renter and you apply on their behalf, you will need to provide their email address.
