Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT)

RAFT Program

RAFT can help with rent or other housing costs when facing eviction, foreclosure, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies.

Check Eligibility

Visit Mass.gov and fill out the form to see if you're eligible to receive RAFT assistance.

Verifique su Elegibilidad

Visite Mass.gov y complete el formulario para ver si es elegible para recibir asistencia RAFT. Haga clic en "Select Language" en la parte superior.

RAFT is Homelessness Prevention

The RAFT Program is a homelessness prevention program and provides short-term financial assistance to low-income families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

  • RAFT can provide up to $7,000 per household within a 12-month period.
  • RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent.

Check Eligibility

Get your documents ready

The following documentation is required to apply:

  1. ID for Head of Household (such as a state issued driver’s license, birth certificate, or passport)
  2. Proof of Current Housing (such as a lease, tenancy agreement, or tenancy at will agreement)
  3. Verification of Housing Crisis (such as a Notice to Quit, mortgage arrears, an eviction notice, a utility shutoff notice, or documentation showing an inability to stay in your current home due to health, safety, or other reasons)
  4. Income Verification. In addition, after you apply, the agency will need to verify your income. They will attempt to do this automatically through a data match with other benefits programs and will reach out to you to provide income documents if necessary.

You must submit a complete application with all required documents to receive benefits.

Additionally, we encourage tenants to reach out early to their landlords and inform them about their application for RAFT. Landlords or property management will be needed to complete the process.

How to Apply for RAFT

  1. Before you apply, check if you’re eligible for assistance.
  2. If you’re eligible and you have your documents ready, you can apply at the Mass.gov website.

Register and Apply for RAFT

 

Questions & Answers

Who is eligible for RAFT in Massachusetts?

To qualify for rental assistance in Massachusetts, you must have an income no more than 50 percent of the area median income or AMI, or no more than 60 percent of the AMI if at risk of domestic violence, and must be at risk of homelessness or housing instability.

Is RAFT the same as Section 8?

No, they’re different. Section 8 is a federally funded program that subsidizes rents for eligible participants who rent units in the private market. It is designed to assist very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to rent decent, safe, and sanitary housing. A housing subsidy is paid directly to the landlord on behalf of a participating family. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing when facing eviction, foreclosure, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies.

How long does it take to receive RAFT assistance in Massachusetts?

Application processing can take several weeks and funds are not guaranteed. Please wait at least 10 business days before calling to check on your application.

Applications with all required information and documentation will be processed more quickly than those with missing information and documentation. It is important that you complete your application to the best of your ability. If any information is missing, you’ll be contacted. If you do not provide the required information within two weeks, your application will be “timed out.” It is very important to submit a complete application.

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