raft program for landlords

We pointed out that RAFT has expanded to a point where it has become a primary safety net, and with that status it receives a high level of scrutiny similar to that of Section 8, the states Housing Choice Voucher Program, administered by DHCDs Division of Rental Assistance. If you need assistance, please contact the Housing and Community Development. The largest non-profit for owners and managers of Massachusetts residential real estate. So far it has generously covered over $50 million in rent arrears and going forward stipends. Landlords should consult their own legal counsel for advice before declining rental assistance that covers all outstanding rent arrears. Some page levels are currently hidden. new google.translate.TranslateElement({pageLanguage: 'en', includedLanguages : 'sq,am,ar,zh-CN,zh-TW,fr,de,es,ht,it,km,fa,pt,ru,so,sw,vi', layout: google.translate.TranslateElement.InlineLayout.SIMPLE}, 'google_translate_element'); For more information about how to apply, please visit our landlord page. Wednesday 8 AM 4 PM We will use this information to improve this page. 172. (May only be requested if connected to one of the housing crises listed above). Other funding would need to be lined up first. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. Both the RAFT and RAFT COVID programs are using a new application launched on October 19 (the first day of business after the states eviction moratorium expiration), which features: As part of the RAFT COVID application and in order to receive RAFT funding in excess of the traditional $4,000, up to $10,000 a landlord must agree not to evict, for nonpayment, a tenant who has received program funding for six months, or, in the case of a family with school-aged children, through June 2021, whichever date is later. In August 2022, the limit was changed again. Please limit your input to 500 characters. You cannot save and return to an application, so you must complete your application in one sitting. Signed W-9 in the name of the property owner. Gov. Use this button to show and access all levels. 10 Church Street You can also use the eligibility checker toolhere to see if you might be eligible for RAFT. Households can apply by submitting an online application. Click here for Applicant Portal First Time Home Buyers who currently live in one of these communities may be eligible for a Home Read More If you are unable to assist your client in completing the online application, printable applications can be found below. )0OP[S{ Thank you for your website feedback! 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). Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. 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. The RAFT program is open to all types of landlords, including private landlords, non-profit landlords, and government landlords. 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). 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. Better Communities. People applying for RAFT must do so in the region where they intend to use their RAFT benefits. Because the eligibility standards for this program are evolving, tenants who may not have previously been eligible for RAFT are encouraged to re-apply. The onus is on the landlord to report a move-out to the Regional Administering Agency. After the end of the RAFT benefit period, the tenant does not payrentor otherwise violates the lease. This verbiage implies that families who receive rental vouchers may also receive RAFT funds, at least under certain circumstances. RAFT was first piloted in 2005, with a budget of $2 million for that first year. The RAFT COVID programs stated optionality may leave landlords who opt out exposed to litigation. Join us! But considering the language in discrimination law 151B, theres too much risk and vulnerability for discrimination liability to take that step hastily. Monday 8 AM 4 PM Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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 ResourceLine@MetroHousingBoston.org. If you are facing imminent foreclosure within the next 7 days, the Massachusetts Division of Banks may be able to help by reaching out to your mortgage servicer to grant an extra 60 days to work out an alternative to foreclosure. It is highly recommended that you take that step only with the guidance of legal counsel. Tenants and landlords can use mediation to resolve their problems without any court filing, or through court referrals. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. oSSx3xg=]z3|3|1Y|L8fu?|O>w~>~~o>j~Vc~_yw|yw/k7w/xwq&-Gd[WW? If you would like to speak with a foreclosure counselor regarding your options, a list of foreclosure counselors by region is available here. Applications already in progress continued to be processed through the system already in place. The administration announced the RAFT COVID program in October as part of its $171 million Eviction Diversion Initiative. *2 Families who have received HomeBASE funding may also be eligible for RAFT. If your tenant is behind on the rent - or expects they will be soon - tell them about this website. 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. The tenant does not receive funding directly. (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. 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. Also, in order to qualify for RAFT COVID funds, tenants household income must be at or below 50% of Area Median Income. 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. Learn about rental assistance programs available to eligible tenants. A landlords refusal to accept emergency rental assistance, that covers the entire amount owed to the landlord, may, in some circumstances, constitute a violation of Chapter 151B. Both programs can be used in coordination with short-term rental assistance such as RAFT or local sources of financial aid, but it is not necessary to apply for RAFT in order to participate. Please let us know how we can improve this page. 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. Though mass.gov is not completely clear on whether current participants in the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) or Section 8 are RAFT-eligible, wording from the 2020 RAFT administrative plan states that If a family is using RAFT to move into a unit with a subsidy, proof of the total contract rent and of the tenants rent share must be provided. The earlier you contact a lawyer the better. Not submitted means an application has been started, but not completed and turned in. Find your regional agency and income eligibility data, Find Spanish language resources for landlords, FAQs for landlords about accepting state funded rental assistance. No, the agreement signed by the tenant and landlordremainsin effectfor its stated term,unless the parties agree to amend it. Please limit your input to 500 characters. 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? The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. 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. by Nomer Caceres. Residential Assistance for Families in Transition could pay for moving costs, paying owed rent or utilities, security deposits or first/last months rent, among other uses. Better Lives. Therefore, stronger definition is needed around the $10,000 optionality, either to protect landlords from harmful litigation based on discrimination charges, or to protect renters from a weakening of our important discrimination protections. ,h^$dXcbM/0&4EcTg$H]^A/H][LE1y The RAFT Program is a homelessness prevention program funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The landlord contacted VLP to seek legal advice. Landlords will see it was denied but will not be given tenants private information. The program allows renters whose income has been affected by COVID-19 and the economic response to receive up to $10,000 in public assistance to cover rent payments, past, present and/or future. Applicants should complete all of the fields in the preferred-language application and with all of the required documents, they may mail them to Metro Housing|Boston, 1411 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02120. A list of regional agencies can be found at the Massachusetts Housing Consumer Education Centers site. Renter advocates, who (like all attorneys) must zealously defend their clients, would likely raise the discrimination issue. It will include enhanced features expected to create a more user-friendly experience and increase processing efficiency. The RAFT COVID program is very new and RAFT administrators are flooded with applications as households struggle with job and income losses. Tenants can also apply directly. Log in or join today and gain access all presentations and videos. This funding source no longer matters. Current Laws A Landlords Guide to Massachusetts Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) Program. Better Policy. Note that the Tenant Application Code is different from their Case ID. endstream endobj 2600 0 obj <>stream Monthly updates, smart and relevant articles, and free premium content. Effective August 1, 2022 the maximum benefit limit on the RAFT Program is $10,000 per household in a 12-month period. As of Aug. 1 2022, households can obtain up to 12 months of assistance, capped at $10,000. Applicants must bring photo identification and proof of current income for all adult members of the household. If you need assistance, please contact the Housing and Community Development. Low-income tenants may be eligible to receive help with paying their rent through the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and regional administering agencies. They can also provide a copy of their application for unemployment insurance, documentation of loss of insurance or documentation of the death of a household member who contributed to the households income. 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. If additional income documentation is needed, the organization processing your RAFT application will reach out to you to request it. Homeowners in need of mortgage assistance or other housing assistance may apply for the new Homeowner Assistance Fund (MA HAF) Program. Homeowners may be eligible for assistance through the Homeowners Assistance Fund. Community-based organizations will also get training in how to use the new portal. The federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) stopped accepting applications on April 15, 2022. However, applications received after Aug. 1, 2022, will only be considered if the applicant has received a notice to quit, eviction notice or court summons related to rent arrears. RAFT gives short-term financial assistance to low-income families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. 6 Institute RoadWorcester, MA 01609 > Google Mapsphone: (508) 752-5519fax: (508) 752-5009, Staff Web MailSecure Delivery LoginSystem StatusHope for Housing Login, WALK photography by Joe Santa Maria - Kill the Ball Media. Email to hc@cmhaonline.org. 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. The RAFT application system requires both a tenant application and a landlord application for tenants who are requesting rental assistance. In that case, a landlord who has exercised the option to turn down RAFT COVID funding for a tenant, who then began or continued an eviction process for that tenant, may be vulnerable to a discrimination claim. Thank you for your website feedback! Your email address will not be published. Step 2: Your LANDLORD/PROPERTY OWNER, must also submit a landlord application. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent, as well as forward rent in limited situations. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Landlords and property managers will be able to create a profile on the portal with their W-9 and payment information. 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. This would seem to suggest that RAFT cannot be refused even when it would not fully cover arrears. 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. Please limit your input to 500 characters. There does not appear to be a clear answer for when funding is received, however, the first payment of the benefit must be used within 60 days of an applicant being determined eligible for RAFT money (barring documented administrative delays or extenuating circumstances). 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. You can apply for RAFT online through the Commonwealths Central Application. 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. Some page levels are currently hidden. Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Applying for Rental Assistance in Massachusetts to Avoid Eviction, Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program. Examples include, but are not limited to, Notice to Quit, courtsummons, utility shutoff notice., Name, DOB, sex, race, ethnicity and SSN (when available) forall adultmembers of the household, Identification for the head of household (Examples: photo id, license, birth certificate,passport), Rental information: Lease/tenancy agreement, amount of rent,amount of arrears, whether they have a rental subsidy, Household income (see more details here on income verification), W-9 from payee (landlord/property owner). During COVID-19, the sustainability requirement was removed (Jan. 11, 2021), and then after it was reinstated. You can find more information below. A map of DHCDs regional administering agencies throughout the state with names in key.CC-BY SA 4.0 MassLandlords. 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. Section 8 requires an inspection, to certify a rental units health and safety suitability. Open to all. Visitors to these websites are encouraged to contact agency representatives, listed on the websites, to help with navigation, clarifying information and applying . A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. Section 8 is permanent (as long as the recipient remains eligible for funding), and it guarantees the landlord will receive rent. A Landlords Guide to Massachusetts Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) Program, Search Eviction Records by Address (Beta), Webinar: Rental Assistance Application Process RAFT ERMA. Under review tells the landlord or tenant that the application portions have been matched up, and it is being reviewed for eligibility. Applications processed on or after Aug. 1, 2022, are eligible to receive up to $10,000 in RAFT funds. Interpreter services are available in multiple languages. 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. These twelve organizations process RAFT applications, request additional documentation as needed, and administer RAFT benefits (directly to the landlord or utility provider). If none of these are available, the applicant can self-certify. For households applying to RAFT for assistance with rent arrears, a notice to quit or eviction notice/court summons is now required. Landlords can apply for RAFT! Consider Section 8. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. In actuality, renters have racked up back rent owed of well over $20,000. 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. Landlords can apply directly for rental assistance on behalf of eligible tenants. Forgiveness of arrearages or acceptance of reduced rent are not program requirements. The largest non-profit for owners and managers of Massachusetts residential real estate. Updated April 14th, 2023 A lock icon ( If your tenant is behind on the rent - or . Are your tenants behind on rent? They can use it for first and last months rent, a security deposit or even furniture (furniture expenses are capped at $1,000). Mediation is a confidential, voluntary and non-judgmental process where a neutral third party (the mediator) helps people resolve differences based on what is important to them. When calling, please leave your name, call back number and application number. Lynn, MA 01902 They may also drop off the applications at our offices between the hours of 9:00 AM 3:00 PM. Until Jan. 1, 2023, a Notice to Quit must be accompanied by information about tenants rights and rental assistance options. The CM will review all documents and will follow up with the service provider by email or phone if they are in need of additional documents. MassLandlords has sought clarification on the likelihood of litigation of the RAFT COVID provisions optionality, in correspondence with the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD), and the state Attorney Generals office. 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). A step-by-step guide on how to apply for RAFT is available here. 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. 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. If a family is determined to be ineligible for benefits, they may reapply after 30 days. 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. Say a tenant has applied for RAFT, but the landlord, unable to wait, starts eviction before receiving RAFT response. Households can still apply for rental assistance from the more targeted, state-funded Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program. IMPORTANT: If you have multiple tenants completing applications, please make sure to respond to EACH landlord invitation email. Imagine, for example, a Boston tenant who stopped paying rent in March. If they have no future income, a landlord would have expectation of additional losses. Landlords can begin the application process . If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. You can check AMI limits in your city/town here. Each assistance application will have two parts, one for landlords and one for tenants. Please let us know how we can improve this page. Required fields are marked *. Additional documentation that backs up the applicants claim for needing funding may also be required. Either a landlord or a tenant may begin the RAFT application process by going to the existing landing page. The Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program may provide income-eligible households with up to $10,000 to pay utilities or moving costs, overdue rent, or future rent in limited situations, and once approved, these payments are sent directly to landlords. Or acceptance of reduced rent for the period of the agreement? Otherwise the CM will follow up with the property owner and possibly slow the approval process. Note that it will likely take 5 business days to hear back due to high volume. If both parties are amenable to changing the agreement, the tenant would not have to reapply, butthey would need to executea new agreement. Monthly updates, smart and relevant articles, and free premium content. If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. Blog Is RAFT COVID $10k Optional for Landlords? For more information, visit the states RAFT guidance page. (781) 581-8600, Hours Owners, managers, and service providers sustain our nonprofit trade association with membership dues. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. Legislative Affairs Counsel Renters who are in arrears may qualify for one or more subsidies, e.g., Rental Assistance for Families in Transition ( RAFT ), Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance ( ERMA ), and Emergency Assistance Rental Program ( ERAP ). 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. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. They can also use the money for utility bills, or to get current on owed rent/utilities. To apply to Mass HAF, visit www.massmortgagehelp.org. Homeowners may be eligible for mortgage or other assistance under the states Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF). If a family is eligible at this point, they must prove that the assistance they receive from RAFT will stabilize the current housing situation. In other words, a family applying for RAFT must show that after the funds are applied, they have enough income to either obtain new housing, remain in their current housing or otherwise avoid homelessness. MassLandlords interprets this to mean that a family who was facing eviction could, for example, obtain RAFT funding to get current on their rent and remain in housing, rent a new place, or use the money to pay court-ordered debts and then move in with family. Free legal aid is available to assist low-income tenants with referrals, legal information, and legal representation for evictions statewide. Work with your renters to provide your part of the information as soon as requested. Once the application is in, the landlord will receive an email or call informing them an application has been started by one of their tenants. 3. You must have your application number in order to submit documents or to determine which agency is processing your application. The CM will sometimes follow up directly with the family with clarifying questions. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. This included applications received prior to that date that were not processed until after the first. The two programs also serve different purposes. Please visit this link to learn more about HAF and to see if you may be eligible. 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. The time between submitting a RAFT application and receiving a RAFT award or denial varies. 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. If an asking rent price for a particular unit is above fair market rent or payment standard, discrimination law does not require a landlord to take less than the full rent to accommodate Section 8 recipients. Depending on which agency or housing authority administers the voucher or subsidy, this may take the form of a lease or a rent share letter.. The long answer is a bit more complicated. On the other hand, in certain conditions, Section 8 might cause the landlord to lose money. The final four steps are pending final approval, approved pending payment and then approved or denied. Tenants will be able to see why their application was denied. All calls are free and confidential. However, if you are unable to complete the application online, please emailhc@cmhaonline.orgor call508-752-5519, ext. If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. 1. Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT). 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. A Notice to Quit is NOT an eviction. DHCD's federally funded Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) and Subsidized Housing Emergency Rental Assistance (SHERA) stopped taking new applications on April 15, 2022. If a tenant does not have an email address or access to a computer, they can still go to their regional administering agency (RAA). Consent is implied when the tenant fills out their portion of the application.
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