Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT)

Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) is sponsored by Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (administered by Regional Administering Agencies). Provides short-term emergency funding to help families with eviction, foreclosure, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. The money can be used for rent, utilities, moving costs, and mortgage payments.

Financial Assistance for Renters (RAFT Program) | RCAP Solutions Financial Assistance for Renters (RAFT Program) Difficulty paying your rent? Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) is a state-funded financial assistance program, which keeps struggling families safely housed. For individuals and families who have lost income or are struggling to pay expenses due to a hardship, there are programs that can help.

RCAP Solutions serves as the regional Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC) for Worcester County and administers financial assistance through the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program. This program can provide eligible households with funding that can be used to help stay in current housing, obtain new housing, or otherwise avoid becoming homeless.

Click Here to Apply for Financial Assistance Click below for a step-by-step guide on how to apply for the RAFT program: Renter/Tenant/Advocate Reference Guide Landlord/Property Owner Reference Guide 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. Which Agency Will Be Processing My Application?

If you live in the city of Worcester , your application will be processed by the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance (CMHA) . If you reside in Worcester and are unable to complete the online application or need application assistance, please contact CMHA at hc@cmhaonline. org or call (508) 752-5519, ext.

172 If you live in a Central Massachusetts town outside of Worcester (highlighted in green on our RAFT Service Area Map ), your application will be processed by RCAP Solutions. If you reside in one of these towns and are unable to complete the online application or need application assistance, please contact RCAP Solutions at HCEC@rcapsolutions.

org or call (978) 630-6771 If you live outside of Central Massachusetts and are unsure of which agency services your community, please use this lookup tool . RAFT Service Area Map (click to enlarge): I Need Help Completing the Online Application. Who Can I Contact?

RCAP Solutions is proud to be partnering with several community-based organizations (CBOs) to bring RAFT application assistance to clients throughout Central Massachusetts. If you need help completing the online application, please contact RCAP Solutions or a CBO (listed below) to schedule an appointment. During the appointment, you will be guided through the application process.

These appointments can be conducted in-person or virtually. PLEASE NOTE: This service is only available to residents living in a community where RCAP Solutions administers the RAFT program (see our RAFT Service Area Map ). 217 Walnut Street • Athol, MA 01331 (978) 249-8467 • info@valuingourchildren.

org www. valuingourchildren. org 112 Spruce Street • Leominster, MA 01453 (978) 534-3145 • info@spanishamericancenter.

org www. spanishamericancenter. org Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC) Offering application assistance at multiple locations by appointment only.

Click here to schedule. (508) 754-1176 • resiliency@wcac. net Serving Southern Worcester County/Blackstone Valley 470 Main Street • Fitchburg, MA 01420 (978) 288-0210 • relief@nvcomm.

org www. newvuecommunities. org Serving North Central Massachusetts Additional Information for Tenants Who Qualifies for Financial Assistance?

Eligible households include: Individuals, families with or without children, and unaccompanied youth Household income must be at or below 50% area median income (AMI) Household must provide proof that they are currently experiencing a housing crisis What Documents Will I Need to Apply for Financial Assistance? It is very important that applications are submitted with the following documentation.

Submitting a complete application will ensure a quicker processing time, resulting in funds being delivered sooner.

ID for the head of household Proof of housing crisis (for example, a notice to quit; which is a letter formally notifying you that your tenancy will be terminated on a specific date) Proof of housing (for example, a lease) Proof of income (for example, paystubs) To learn more about submitting a complete application, eligibility and required documents, click here . What Can Financial Assistance Funds Be Used for?

Program funds can be used for housing-related expenses only. Up to $7,000 per household in a 12-month period can be provided.

Appropriate uses of funds include, but are not limited to: Start-up costs (if moving to a new apartment) First and last month’s rent Other RCAP Solutions Housing Programs Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC): HCEC is the first point of contact for anyone interested in RCAP Solutions housing counseling, programs, and resources.

Affordable Housing Properties: RCAP Solutions manages several affordable apartment complexes for seniors, families, and individuals with disabilities/mobility impairments. We have units in Athol, Bolton, Bolyston, Groton, Hubbardston, Northbridge, Townsend, Webster, and Worcester.

Independent Living Programs: RCAP Solutions provides a comprehensive array of elder service programs which can assist our aging population as well as those who have a disability. Additional Resources Throughout Central Massachusetts Community Healthlink : Mental illness, substance use, and homelessness recovery services.

Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) : Direct economic assistance (cash benefits), food assistance (SNAP benefits), and workforce training opportunities. Eviction Legal Help : Free legal help to low-income tenants who are facing eviction. Community Legal Aid : For residents of Central and Western Massachusetts.

MetroWest Legal Services : For residents of the MetroWest area. Find Emergency Family Shelter : If you are in need of Massachusetts shelter services. Fuel Assistance : Get help paying for heating your house or apartment.

MA Attorney General’s Office : Consumer Advocacy & Response Division Resolution Massachusetts (Housing Mediation) : Mediaton Centers can help tenants and landlords resolve disputes and find flexible solutions that work for everyone. SNAP benefits (food stamps) : Provides a monthly benefit to buy nutritious foods. Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program : Keeps pregnant and breastfeeding women and kids under 5 healthy.

Have You Been Discriminated Against Because You Receive Public Assistance? Discriminating against someone because they receive public assistance is illegal. If you are a tenant who has been denied housing due to your Section 8 voucher or if your landlord has refused RAFT or other rental assistance payments, the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center can help.

Visit www. massfairhousing. org for more information.

Information for Landlords/Property Owners The RAFT application system requires both a tenant application and a landlord application for tenants who are requesting rental assistance. 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.

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) Your account must have info entered for the Payee, Properties, and Payment Methods sections on your profile before you can apply. Once a landlord/property owner has an account, you can apply here: Home (mass.

gov) If your tenant has already completed their application at the time you are submitting the landlord application, be sure to include the Tenant Application Code that you received in your email. Note that the Tenant Application Code is different from their Case ID. 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) Massachusetts Chapter 151B Information Discrimination by a landlord is prohibited.

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.

A landlord’s 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. Landlords should consult their own legal counsel for advice before declining rental assistance that covers all outstanding rent arrears.

Information for Homeowners As of July 1, 2023, the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program is available to eligible homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure. Eligible homeowners may apply for RAFT through the Emergency Housing Payment Assistance Portal . Eligibility guidelines are posted on the website.

For those who need assistance navigating a sometimes complicated market, there are resources to help you find and keep safe housing that you can afford. RCAP Solutions has identified several listing services with available apartments in the area.

Begin Your Search for Housing We can assist individuals and families with specialized services which includes; assistance with applying for emergency funding, gaining access to mental health and substance abuse centers, and obtaining public benefits and legal help. This intensive, personalized case management is pivotal in engaging households and stabilizing them in their communities. Click Here for More Information Have questions?

Looking for assistance? If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about these services, please contact us via email: HCEC@rcapsolutions. org or phone: (978) 630-6771 Financial Assistance Programs Keep Struggling Families Safely Housed The Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program has helped keep thousands of people safely housed, including those featured in our video.

🚨 Important Notice Regarding Change in Office Hours 🚨 Our Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC) is available via phone and email Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (closed from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM for lunch). HCEC is available for walk-ins on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. The Subsidized Housing & Rental Assistance (Section 8/voucher programs) department is closed to the public on Fridays.

All calls and emails will be returned as they are received the following business day. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.