raft program for landlords

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 helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. 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. Note that it will likely take 5 business days to hear back due to high volume. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. 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. 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. A lock icon ( I have one tenant who applied [to RAFT] and didnt receive a call back at all, she said. Gov. 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). contact the Housing and Community Development. You can find information of HAFhereorcall 2-1-1 for more information. This gives applicants 21 days to complete and submit their application once it has been started. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. If your tenant created an application already, you should receive a landlord invitation email. Outcome: Landlord's mother has an extended order of protection to protect her from the tenant, the court ordered the tenant to permit access so repairs could be made and landlord received one year's rent arrearage from the RAFT program. Owners, managers, and service providers sustain our nonprofit trade association with membership dues. 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. contact the Housing and Community Development. Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program A lock icon ( However, if you are unable to complete the application online, please emailhc@cmhaonline.orgor call508-752-5519, ext. 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. 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. This funding source no longer matters. This could delay the approval process. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. Please let us know how we can improve this page. This language leaves open the possibility that it may be interpreted as discriminatory to evict a renter who has received public rental assistance. What Happens If I Can't Pay Rent? How to Avoid Eviction in Mass. - NBC This verbiage implies that families who receive rental vouchers may also receive RAFT funds, at least under certain circumstances. Proceed with caution: opting out of RAFT COVID funding could render landlords vulnerable to discrimination litigation. Once someone receives initial approval, they can complete an application. Those administering the screening have some discretion in determining eligibility based on the tool. Podemos ayudar. 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 RAFT COVID programs stated optionality may leave landlords who opt out exposed to litigation. Say a tenant has applied for RAFT, but the landlord, unable to wait, starts eviction before receiving RAFT response. IMPORTANT: If you have multiple tenants completing applications, please make sure to respond to EACH landlord invitation email. It is important to submit a complete application for RAFT to receive support quickly. Until Jan. 1, 2023, Landlords are required to send a notice to quit for non-payment of rent. RAFT does not serve homeowners. Use this button to show and access all levels. RAFT / HAF - For Landlords - Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance Signed W-9 in the name of the property owner. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Emergency Rental Assistance: Landlord Journeys. Blog Is RAFT COVID $10k Optional for Landlords? Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. You can check AMI limits in your city/town here. 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%# ? However, Fisher went on, there doesn't appear to be any language to the effect that an existing landlord with an arrearage would have any priority over a successor landlord if the tenant chose to move into a new property. The answer is no, RAFT funding can be spent on any housing needs that will keep someone from becoming homeless. 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. RAFT can provide up to $10,000 per household within a 12-month period to help preserve current housing or move to new housing. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent, as well as future rent in limited situations. Monday 8 AM 4 PM If a family is determined to be ineligible for benefits, they may reapply after 30 days. For instance, prospective rent payments are capped at one month's payment, as long as the household communicates this need on the application or to the person processing the application. The long answer is a bit more complicated. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In addition to the documents listed above, an application for RAFT also requires documentation from your landlord/property owner. Apply here Already applied? 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. ***Your account must have info entered for the Payee, Properties, and Payment Methods sections on your profile before you can apply. Homeowners in need of mortgage assistance or other housing assistance may apply for the new Homeowner Assistance Fund (MA HAF) Program. Please do not include personal or contact information. 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 It can provide funds for the same housing-related expenses that RAFT covers. . If your tenant is behind on the rent - or . Landlords should beware of a potentially problematic legal gray area built into the language of the RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition) COVID $10,000 option. 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. 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. A households income must be at or below 50 percent. Learn more about RAFT here. Of the approximately $400 million allocated to Massachusetts in the December 2020 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA 2021), 65% had to be spent by Sept. 30, 2021, to avoid clawback. If you would like to speak with a foreclosure counselor regarding your options, a list of foreclosure counselors by region is available here. Furniture. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. We will use this information to improve this page. 172. Of the approximately $400 million allocated to Massachusetts in the March 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), 50% had to be spent by March 2022 to avoid clawback. 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. The state is relying on RAFT to help renters during the pandemic, and the nonprofit is being criticized for long delays and mounting uncertainty. The same might apply to a landlord who initiated or continued eviction while a RAFT application is pending. Interpreter services are available in multiple languages. 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. Even if that tenant began paying full rent again in September, they would have tallied $11,562 in rent arrearages. 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. Join us! The tenant should contact the landlord and rental assistance agency. If you need assistance, please contact the Housing and Community Development. 2. You can apply for RAFT online through the Commonwealths Central Application. Homeowners in need of mortgage assistance or other housing assistance may apply for the new Homeowner Assistance Fund (MA HAF) Program. The new agreement would still need tocomply with all RAFT requirements. For more information, visit the states RAFT guidance page. During(or after)the RAFT benefit period, the tenant violates a lease clause that is unrelated to payment of rent. The application will also require property owner documents if requesting arrears or start-up costs. The largest non-profit for owners and managers of Massachusetts residential real estate. Landlords will see it was denied but will not be given tenants private information. Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Applying for Rental Assistance in Massachusetts to Avoid Eviction, Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program. Other funding would need to be lined up first. If the tenant is the one applying, the application will ask them for their landlords contact information (email or phone number). Each assistance application will have two parts, one for landlords and one for tenants. 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. Otherwise the CM will follow up with the property owner and possibly slow the approval process. A Landlord's Guide to Massachusetts' Residential Assistance for Phone: 617.859.0400 If your tenant is behind on the rent - or expects they will be soon - tell them about this website. Landlords should also check general income eligibility for programs. If a family meets the income guidelines, they must then be screened using an assessment developed by DCHD. It is highly recommended that you take that step only with the guidance of legal counsel. 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. 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 youown a 1-4 family home and are having trouble paying your mortgage, you may also be eligible for mortgage assistanceunder the states Homeowners Assistance Fund (HAF) program which includes assistance for eligible owner-occupants of 1-4 family homes. 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. Households that already receive income-based rental subsides are ineligible for prospective payments, and payments may not exceed the maximum benefit limit. The tenant may then file an answer and all tenant/landlord information is sent to the CHAP program and to Home Means Nevada, the administrator of the Eviction Mediation Program . endstream endobj 2600 0 obj <>stream To view all of this presentation, you must be logged with webinar access. If you need assistance, please contact the Housing and Community Development. People applying for RAFT must do so in the region where they intend to use their RAFT benefits. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Your email address will not be published. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent costs, as well as future rent in limited situations. 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. But considering the language in discrimination law 151B, theres too much risk and vulnerability for discrimination liability to take that step hastily. Log in or get access for as little as $3. We will use this information to improve this page. 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. Suppose an inspection finds that a handrail is needed on a staircase. 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. Not submitted means an application has been started, but not completed and turned in. A tenant who is late on rent could sign up for the program, receive funds, and use it to put down a security deposit on another housing unit elsewhere. PDF City of Las Vegas RAFT Landlord Application How To 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. The program can also be used to help families who are already homeless pay for necessary costs to get into a house or apartment. Households can apply by submitting an online application. The following documentation is required to apply: 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 . The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. G.L. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, Information for landlords on emergency housing assistance, is, Information for landlords on emergency housing assistance. Find out more about HAF here. The tenant does not receive funding directly. A lock icon ( The North Shore Housing Action Group (NSHAG) is financial assistance program that specifically focuses on the needs of 18-24 year olds that are experiencing housing Landlord/Property Owner Portal Reference Guide, MA Emergency Housing Payment Assistance Portal (mass.gov), Housing Assistance Application Reference Guide (mass.gov), RAFT Public Resource and Training Portal | Mass.gov. State's Emergency Rent Program Is Understaffed And Overwhelmed, Housing Home - NeighborWorks Housing Solutions Refusing RAFT = Discrimination? Yes, Says Attorney General Jog I5N7=Ziph2IaL)"Q LA01A Where can I get help paying my rent? | MassLegalHelp States that did not use all of the federal money they were allocated were at risk of having that money "clawed back" by the U.S. Treasury. You can fill out the information with them. In August 2022, the limit was changed again. If you do not think your tenant has access to email, DHCD recommends you have your tenant initiate the application with their local RAA. Tenants and landlords can use mediation to resolve their problems without any court filing, or through court referrals. As of Aug. 1 2022, households can obtain up to 12 months of assistance, capped at $10,000. Open to all. The RAFT program is open to all types of landlords, including private landlords, non-profit landlords, and government landlords. Boston, MA 02120-3401 This could include families who are facing eviction. The landlord will receive a special code they must enter in the portal before completing their portion of the application. If the landlord accepts, they forfeit the right to evict for six months or until June 2021. For households applying to RAFT for assistance with rent arrears, a Notice to Quit or eviction notice/court summons is now required. RAFT / ERMA - FAQ Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance 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. RAFT provides qualifying households with maximum benefit limit of $10,000 per household in a 12-month period. RAFT sends payments to your landlord or mortgage company. After the end of the RAFT benefit period, the tenant does not payrentor otherwise violates the lease. 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 can apply for RAFT! Monthly updates, smart and relevant articles, and free premium content. For Landlords. 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. 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. If both parties are amenable to changing the agreement, the tenant would not have to reapply, butthey would need to executea new agreement. CC BY-SA 4.0 MassLandlords. 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. First, according to mass.gov, families must be homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. However, there is a $10,000 cap in funding, and any money that a family has received from RAFT counts towards that. In these cases, a landlord accepting the terms of the increased RAFT COVID limit would be extending a tenancy deep in arrears while forfeiting the ability to recoup any losses for at least six more months. It is very important landlords coordinate with tenants before they apply for rental assistance. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can also help youfind a housing counseling agency (HCA). As a landlord, get answers to questions about accepting state funded rental assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. ONLY a court order can force you to leave your apartment. Maximum arrears are $44,615.). It will take between four and seven weeks to process all applications. We will use this information to improve this page. RAFT helps families who are behind on rent, mortgage payments, or utility bills. During COVID-19, the sustainability requirement was removed (Jan. 11, 2021), and then after it was reinstated. The earlier you contact a lawyer the better. All calls are free and confidential. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Contact the Volunteer Lawyers Project for more information. Use this button to show and access all levels. The program Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) has, in less than a year, ramped up to be the preeminent (and movingly named) housing stabilization service of the pandemic. Visit this page to understand what to expect when you or your tenant applies for emergency housing payment assistance. Thank you for your website feedback! Please limit your input to 500 characters. There are two additional tools for landlords and tenants to prevent an eviction. Landlords and property managers will be able to create a profile on the portal with their W-9 and payment information. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent costs, as well as future rent in limited situations. 2021 Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development. If your renters are in a tough spot, it is worth checking to see if RAFT funds are available and if your renters qualify. Paper applications will still be available at RAAs if tenants need them. 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. Renter advocates, who (like all attorneys) must zealously defend their clients, would likely raise the discrimination issue. For more guidance on how to apply and create a landlord profile, please utilize this reference guide: Housing Assistance Application Reference Guide (mass.gov), For a list of landlords/property owners Frequently Asked Questions, visit: Landlord FAQs download (mass.gov), For other resources, including recordings of webinars about Landlord/Property Owner RAFT Application Portal, visit: RAFT Public Resource and Training Portal | Mass.gov. 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. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. The following documentation is required to apply: If an individual needs assistance in completing their form, mass.gov reports that the regional agencies can provide help. Fair Housing Policies & Procedures | Privacy Policy, Lynn HOME-ARP Allocation Plan Community Forum Information. You do not need to immediately leave your apartment. The RAFT Program is a homelessness prevention program funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). 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. The administration announced the RAFT COVID program in October as part of its $171 million Eviction Diversion Initiative. Owners, managers, and service providers sustain our nonprofit trade association with membership dues. Current Laws A Landlords Guide to Massachusetts Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) Program.

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