Emergency Rental Assistance Programs Greater Boston Association of

Emergency Rental Assistance Programs Greater Boston Association of Realtors March 25, 2021

ERAP Fact Sheet • ERAP Mission • To stabilize and prevent homelessness for renter households facing housing crises in Massachusetts • Flexible benefit – all interventions focus on helping to maintain housing • Households can receive payments for arrears and rental stipends totaling 12 months • RAFT & ERMA • To assist families and homeowners not eligible for ERAP who are facing crises to pay their rent or mortgage due to Covid-19 ERAP, RAF, T & ERMA Presentation March 25, 2021 2

Assistance During COVID-19 • Primarily used to pay rental arrears and future stipends • Households have access to up to 12 months worth of assistance to use toward rental arrears (accrued after March 13, 2020) or as stipends for future payments • Additional flexibility • Waived sustainability • Can accept electronic signatures • Flexibility on required documentation ERAP, RAF, T & ERMA Presentation March 25, 2021 3

ERAP, RAFT, & ERMA Processes Step 1: Housing Crisis Step 2: Income Step 6: Metro will reply, and request any missing documentation Step 3: Application Step 7: Decision Step 4: Required Documents Step 8: Payment Step 5: Property Owner Paperwork ERAP, RAF, T & ERMA Presentation March 25, 2021 4

Housing Crisis • Eviction / Rental Arrears • During COVID-19, categorize any rental arrears as ‘evictions’ - any notice of arrearage will suffice • • Doubled–up and must leave Health & safety Foreclosure Mortgage arrears (RAFT or ERMA only) Severe overcrowding Fire/flood/natural disaster Domestic violence Utility arrears ERAP, RAF, T & ERMA Presentation March 25, 2021 5

Income Eligibility Up to 80% of Area Median Income 50% AMI RAFT 80% AMI ERAP & ERMA 1 person 2 person 3 person 4 person $44, 800 $51, 200 $57, 600 $63, 950 $67, 400 $77, 000 $86, 650 $96, 250 5 person 6 person 7 person 8 person $69, 100 $74, 200 $79, 300 $84, 450 $103, 950 $111, 650 $119, 350 $127, 050 ERAP, RAF, T & ERMA Presentation March 25, 2021 6

Application • Metro Boston – Metro. Housing. Boston. org • Statewide – Ma. Housing. Help. com • Applications may be submitted online, by mail, or in person ERAP, RAF, T & ERMA Presentation March 25, 2021 7

Required Docs • ID ( Head of Household) • • Photo ID or passport • Legal immigration status not required – write N/A if no socials in household Proof of income (all members 18 and over) • If not otherwise determined eligible • Paystubs- 4 most recent (must be consecutive/in a row) • Child Support (most current 30 days-show actual payments) During COVID-19, if items are not available, indicate that in the application. Many can currently be waived if there is a written explanation. Under guidelines, applicants are considered eligible if the applicant is receiving any public benefit (SNAP, Mass Health, DTA, etc) • Proof of housing • Lease / rent share letter • Proof of crisis • Written proof of rental arrears • Tenant ledger – if available • Financial Hardship • Self written letter about loss of income ERAP, RAF, T & ERMA Presentation March 25, 2021 8

Property Owner Documents • W 9 • • Filled out, signed and dated by owner of property Metro will check TIN/SS# by IRS database to confirm whether or not the name on the W 9 and TIN match IRS records • Ledger/Proof of Delinquency • Proof of Ownership • Documentation that includes the owners name and the new address the tenant is trying to move to • Acceptable documentation includes: Tax bill, water bill, deed, mortgage bill, rental property insurance bill, assessor's website (. gov) • We can accept a letter from the owner of the property explaining the relationship between the name on the W 9/name on the proof of ownership. • Direct Deposit Form • Completed and signed by owner of property • This name and TIN number must match the name and TIN on w 9 • Voided Check or Letter from Bank • Name must be the same on w 9 and direct deposit form **Only for MARKET rate apartments & with children under the age of 6 in the household • Letter of Compliance (LOC) consist of: • Lead in residential paint was banned in 1978, and due to the large quantity of pre-1978 homes in Massachusetts. ERAP, RAF, T & ERMA Presentation March 25, 2021 9

Metro will reply, • Upon receipt of application, Metro will reply as to whether the application is complete or requires additional information • Once all documents have been received, file will be reviewed and approved or denied • Once approved, confirmation is sent • Let the case manager know if a promissory note is needed ERAP, RAF, T & ERMA Presentation March 25, 2021 10

Additional Services Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC) aka Resource Line • Provides information and resources • Assist with connecting with affordable housing info • Triages and determines eligibility for other programs, such as RAFT. Resource. Line@Metro. Housing. Boston. org ERAP, RAF, T & ERMA Presentation March 25, 2021 11

Thank you! Metro. Housing. Boston. org 12