Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development
Massachusetts

RAFT provides short-term emergency housing assistance to households at risk of homelessness or housing instability.

Assistance Distributed By
State administrator/State agency; Nonprofit or for-profit providers
Funding Source
General revenue
Funding Year
2023
Program Status
Active
State Funding
$212,000,000
Total Funding
$212,000,000
Website
https://www.mass.gov/how-to/how-to-apply-for-raft
Amount Provided
$5,100 average one-time fixed amount
How Provided?
Rental assistance paid to landlord, housing agency, or approved vendor only
Data Collected by Program
Income; Race; Ethnicity; Age
Program Type
Tenant-based rental assistance
Income Eligibility Threshold
50% AMI or less
Duration
Short-term (up to 7 months)
Assistance Used For
Rent arrears
Current and/or future rent
Security deposits and relocation fees
Utilities
Info Source
Program administrator survey response
Last Updated
6/28/23 16:09
Other Eligibility Requirements

Persons experiencing or at risk of homelessness

Required Documents

Required for income (general), zero, self-employed, or non-traditional income, housing instability, lease, photo ID. Self-attestation permitted for other financial hardship.

Coordinates Eligibility With

Does not coordinate with other systems

Amount Calculation Method

Program offers a one-time fixed amount

Eligibility Limitations

Does not limit eligibility on these criteria

Priority Populations

Extremely low-income households (income less than 30% AMI)