City Of Boston’s Rental Relief Fund

City of Boston’s Rental Relief Fund

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Last Updated on August 22, 2023 by Hannah Stevens

The federal funds are being directed to Boston residents who may lose their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For assistance in completing the Rental Relief Application, please send an email at [email protected]. Or, call 617-635-4200 and select 5.

PROGRAM GUIDELINES AND ELIGIBILITY

For up to 18 months, the Rental Relief Fund Rental will provide assistance up to $10,000 to income-eligible households for:

  • arrears
  • current rent
  • future rent
  • utility arrears, and
  • moving-related expenses.

After three months of future rent, applicants must reapply for additional assistance. Applicants need to contribute 30% of their income for future rents.

Households earning less than 50% of the Area Median Income are eligible for the Rental Relief Fund. Priority is also given to households whose members are unemployed in the last 180 days.

Are you interested in more Free Money Grants and Government Grants for Individuals?

THE RENTAL RELIEF FUND CAN HELP RENTERS WITH THE FOLLOWING EXPENSES:

  • Past due (from March 13, 2020), current, and up to three months of expected rent costs  
  • Past due (from March 13, 2020) or current utility (including internet) and home energy expenses ($2,000 utility allowance)
  • Moving costs within the City of Boston

THE RENTAL RELIEF FUND CANNOT HELP RENTERS WITH THE FOLLOWING EXPENSES:

  • Rental arrears or utility bills from before March 13, 2020 
  • Payments to sober houses
  • Payments to landlords that are relatives or family members (unless relative has incorporated as LLC)
  • Future rent payments for tenants with a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)

Did you have a look at our article about the Oakland County Michigan: Rent, Mortgage & Utility Relief?

TO BE ELIGIBLE, YOU MUST BE:

  • A resident of City of Boston
  • at or below 50% AMI
  • at a risk of losing housing or homelessness
  • economically affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • NOT a full-time college or graduate student

NOTES 

  • All applications for moving assistance must be linked to an eviction, notice to quit, or risk of housing stability. If it is determined that the applicant’s move would lead to an unsustainable rental agreement, the Office of Housing Stability has the right to deny the request for assistance in moving.
  • Only Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) recipients are eligible for rental arrears assistance.
  • For more information about the Boston Housing Authority as your landlord, please visit the Housing Authority website. You can also call 617-988-5060, or send an email to [email protected]. In all messages you send, please include your name, address, and telephone number. Download the English, Español, or 中文 versions of the Public Housing Rental Relief flier.
  • Chapter 151B of the Massachusetts General Laws prohibits landlords from discriminating against tenants who receive federal, state, or local housing subsidies. This includes rental assistance or rental supplement. In certain circumstances, a landlord’s refusal of emergency rental assistance that covers the full amount owed to him may be a violation of Chapter 151B. Before declining any rental assistance that covers rent arrears, landlords should consult their legal counsel.

TENANT RESOURCES

You will need to submit a copy your current lease or tenant agreement, photo documentation of the head of household, two most recent paychecks, documentation regarding unemployment (if applicable), documentation of MassHealth enrollment (optional), and documentation of SNAP/EBT documentation (optional).

LANDLORD RESOURCES

Please have your completed W-9, proof of ownership, and copy of the current lease prepared if you are applying on behalf of your tenant.

Please provide these with documentation to your tenant if they are applying for them yourself.

Don’t forget to look up our article about the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs: Military Family Relief Fund.

ABOUT THE FUND

The Office of Housing Stability manages the Rental Relief Fund with three nonprofit partners:

After taking into consideration other income sources, the amount of renter assistance will be determined.

Hannah Stevens
Hannah Stevens