COVID 19-HOUSING RESOURCES
COVID-19 HOUSING RESOURCES
Emergency Housing Assistance during COVID-19 Are you having trouble paying your rent or mortgage because of the COVID-19 pandemic? Have you lost your job or lost income during the Covid-19 health crisis? Are you at risk of becoming homeless? You may be eligible to receive help with paying your rent or mortgage. The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) offers two programs that can assist low-income households. Find Spanish language resources about these programs. The Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) and Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) programs may provide income-eligible households with urental assistance to pay overdue or future rent or mortgage costs. You can apply to both programs at one of eleven regional agencies.
Information for all programs can be found at: Mass.Gov
Eviction Moratorium When the state moratorium expires, a moratorium established by Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) will become effective in Massachusetts. Through March 31, 2022, the moratorium will prevent evictions for non-payment for qualified tenants who submit a written declaration to their landlord. Courts will accept filings and process cases, and may enter judgments but will not issue an order of execution (the court order that allows a landlord to evict a tenant) until after the expiration of the CDC order. Protection is limited to household who meet certain income and vulnerability criteria. Covid Eviction Infomation Provides current court standing orders, information on the CDC eviction moratorium, court forms, and data on evictions in the Trial Court.
Tenants' guide to eviction A landlord cannot lock you out or throw you out of your apartment without a judge's order. If you are being evicted, Massachusetts law provides you with some protections. You may wish to consult with an attorney. Tenant Rights Brochure
Legal Resources if you are facing eviction:
If you are behind on your rent, apply for rental assistance. Chapter 257 of the Massachusetts General Laws, states that an Eviction can be delayed if the tenant has applied for emergency rental assistance. To find out which court will hear your case: Depending on where the landlord files the case, it can be heard in either the Waltham district court or in the Northeastern housing court. Look at your court summons to see which court your case will be heard in. You can look up the status of your case or ask questions of the court clerk here:
Housing Families : 781-322-9119, ext. 146 probonolegalteam@housingfamilies.org, Provides free legal advice and assistance through "lawyer for a day" program at the Northeastern Housing Court in Woburn. Clients whose cases are in Waltham District court can also contact this office for help.
Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder
Greater Boston Legal Services, 617-371-1234 or 1-800-323-3205 Monday-Friday, 9 am - 12 pm, Emergency housing situations, immigration asylum cases, denial of benefits, domestic violence, unemployment denial, job related issues, and other situations.
The Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School, 617-522-3003
MetroWest Legal Services, Framingham - 508-620-1830 or 800-696-1501, For people ages 60+ Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10:00am - 1:00pm; Tuesday, Thursday: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Boston College Legal Services LAB, Newton- 617-552-0248 Open Fall and Spring (Closed Summer). They offer a multitude of programs such as Civil Litigation, Community Enterprise, and Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Learn more here
Jewish Family and Children’s Service Legal Services (Bet Tzedek), Waltham 781-647-5327; Housing, Family Law, Public Benefits, Consumer Law, Domestic Violence, Elder Law, and Probate Law, SNAP (food stamp) issues.
Massachusetts Legal Clinic for the Homeless 617-544-3434 ext. 110 sthekkeparayil@lawyersclearinghouse.org