Baker-Polito Administration Announces Housing Stability Measures

The following is a press release from the Governor’s office submitted to SOURCE media. It is published as a community service.

***

[broadstreet zone=”51611″]

BOSTON –  The Baker-Polito Administration announced today, March 25, steps to keep vulnerable families in their homes, preserve the health and safety of low-income renters and homeowners, and prevent homelessness due to reduced or lost income.

These steps include the following:

• DHCD is moving to temporarily suspend terminations of federal and state rental vouchers under their purview.

• MassHousing is transferring $5 million to the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for a COVID-19 Rental Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) fund to assist families facing rent insecurity.

[broadstreet zone=”59982″]

• The Division of Banks (DOB) has issued new guidance to Massachusetts financial institutions and lenders urging them to provide relief for borrowers and will advocate for a 60-day stay on behalf of all homeowners facing imminent foreclosure on their homes.

• DHCD is issuing guidance recommending that all owners of state aided low-income housing, including Local Housing Authorities and private owners, suspend both pending non-essential evictions and the filing of any new non-essential evictions.

• Affordable housing operators are urged to suspend non-essential evictions for loss of income or employment circumstances resulting in a tenant’s inability to make rent.

• This guidance urges operators to establish reasonable payment plans, notify Section 8 or public housing residents about interim income recertification to adjust rent payments, and to consider offering relief funding for residents ineligible for income reassessment.

[broadstreet zone=”59983″]

Read the DHCD Guidance Here:

Guidance to owners of state aided low-income housing

Guidance to affordable housing operators

Notices and guidance regarding federal and state rental assistance programs:

• Guidance for Administering MRVP
• Guidance for Administering ARVP
• Initial policies and procedures for federal rental assistance administered by DHCD