To help ensure that emergency rental assistance remains available to households in need through the remainder of 2026 while we pursue additional funding, Brookline Community Development Corporation, in coordination with our rental assistance partner MetroWest Collaborative Development, has temporarily updated its program guidelines.
Effective as of July 1, 2026:
- The maximum assistance award is $3,500.
- Households with $5,000 or less in rental arrears are eligible to apply.
- Award amounts will be based on the amount of rental arrears at the time an application is submitted, regardless of how long it takes to process the application.
- Applications will be prioritized based on household need and risk of eviction, including factors such as pending court dates, eviction notices, the presence of young children in the household, and other indicators of housing instability.
Because the goal of this program is to help households regain financial stability and continue paying rent independently, we encourage anyone experiencing difficulty paying rent to apply as early as possible. Applying sooner increases the likelihood that we can provide timely assistance and helps ensure our limited funding can support as many households as possible.
If and when BCDC secures additional funding for 2027, we intend to revisit these temporary changes as soon as possible. Please check this page for updates.