Emergency Rental Relief Program
Applications are now being accepted for a rental assistance program for Winthrop residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Program can pay rent arrearage to avert displacement from housing. Funding is limited and applications do not guarantee that you will receive assistance. Priority will be given to those currently facing eviction. For eligibility information and application materials, please click here.
MassHealth Launches PCA Help Hotline:
MassHealth has established a dedicated hotline through MassOptions to connect MassHealth PCA Consumers to services in the event their PCA is unavailable. Consumers can call 1-844-422-6277 and will be connected to home health services in their region. MassHealth has also updated its policies to temporarily suspend the PCA overtime cap and provide flexibility around home health aide training & certification requirements to streamline the hiring process and allow family members to be considered for hire.
- There are currently over 36,000 MassHealth members receiving personal care attendant (PCA) services
- PCA services are essential services that support individuals with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as dressing, grooming, bathing, ambulating
Protections for Renters
Residential tenants who are late on rent due to COVID-related financial hardship will be protected from late fees and negative credit score impact if they submit a written notice of hardship to their landlord within 30 days of the missed payment due date
COVID-19 financial hardship notification form for residential tenants
Housing Stability for Vulnerable Populations: The Baker-Polito Administration announced 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.
- 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.
Read the DHCD Guidance Here:
https://www.mass.gov/doc/lease-enforcement-and-evictions-during-covid-19-emergency
https://www.mass.gov/doc/2020-12-guidance-on-evictions-and-rent-redetermination
Notices and guidance regarding federal and state rental assistance programs:
https://www.mass.gov/doc/guidance-for-administering-mrvp-during-covid-19-state-of-emergency
https://www.mass.gov/doc/guidance-for-administering-ahvp-during-covid-19-state-of-emergency