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Emergency Rent and Mortgage Assistance during Covid

Community Teamwork is pleased to offer new financial assistance programs for our families impacted by the recent Covid-19 pandemic. The Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) program funded by the Massachusetts Department of Housing & Community Development and the federally funded Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) can provide up to 18 months of rent payments and up to $2,500 in fuel assistance for qualified families and individuals.

Trouble Making Ends Meet? At risk of losing your home due to COVID-19?

If you think you might be eligible for RAFT or ERMA or ERAP, complete the online Massachusetts Emergency Housing Payment Assistance Application.

TENANT APPLICATION and LANDLORD APPLICATION (ALL LANGUAGES)

https://applyhousinghelp.mass.gov/en-US/Pages/View/124/select-your-language

TENANT CONSENT FORM – Accompanies Landlord Application (ALL LANGUAGES)

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/emergency-housing-payment-assistance-tenant-consent-forms-for-landlord-application

The Central Portal is where documents will be uploaded after an application has been submitted. The link to the Portal Site is here: https://applyhousinghelp.mass.gov/

If you are unable to access or submit an online application, please contact: CovidResponseCTI@commteam.org

151b LANDLORD LANGUAGE – 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.

RAFT/ERMA/ERAP Maximum Annual Income Eligibility – Middlesex and Essex Counties

Annual Income Limits apply to the Merrimack Valley and include the following cities/towns: Amesbury, Andover, Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Merrimac, Methuen, Newburyport, No. Andover, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, West Newbury, Newburyport, Salisbury and Westford

Household Size

   Annual    Income Limit (80%AMI)
        1   $54,950
        2 $62,800
        3 $70,650
        4       $78,500
        5

      $84,800
        6       $91,100
        7     $97,350

 

We are now live with our ZOOM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND SMART TENANT WORKSHOP. It’s runs 5 days a week: We are facilitating the English workshop Monday through Friday at noon and the Spanish workshop is twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday at 11am.

ENGLISH workshop link: https://zoom.us/j/95733574741

SPANISH workshop link: https://zoom.us/j/95172382635

To Learn more about Community Teamwork’s Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC), one of nine across the Commonwealth, click HERE. 

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Lowel, MA 01852
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(978) 459–0551 / 978.654.5607 / 978.654.5617
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