Town of Ashland Offering Mortage/Rental Assistance During COVID With State’s Moratorium Set To End in October

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ASHLAND – The Town of Ashland and the Ashland Affordable Housing Trust have developed a rental/mortgage assistance program in response to the loss of income to households due to COVID-19.

This program has been created and funded by the CARES Act funds granted to the Town of Ashland and the Affordable Housing Trust utilizing their Community Preservation Act funds, and is temporary in nature. Applications are processed on a rolling basis.

The eviction moratorium in Massachusetts is set to expire on October 17.

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“COVID puts stress not only on municipal budgets, but household budgets as well. We are grateful that we have the ability to offer this program to residents who may be experiencing financial hardship due to the economic impacts of Coronavirus,” said Ashland Town Manager Michael Herbert.

An eligible household is one that has reduced income because of COVID-19, currently earns less than 80% of Area Median Income and is not currently receiving other government-funded rental assistance such as Section 8, MRVP or RAFT.

Eligible applicants will receive up to three months of mortgage or rental assistance based on the number of bedrooms in the housing unit. Amount available are:

·       $1200 / month for a efficiency/studio

·       $1400 / month for a 1-bedroom

·       $1600 / month for a 2-bedroom

·       $2000 / month for a 3+-bedroom

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The program guidelines and application can be found at https://www.ashlandmass.com/826/COVID-19-RentalMortgage-Assistance-Progr

For questions about the program or to request a paper application, contact Emma Snellings, Assistant Town Planner at esnellings@ashlandmass.com or 781-532-7930.

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Majority of the report above was a press release from the Town of Ashland