Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT)

Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) – A homelessness prevention program funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). RAFT provides short-term emergency funding to help you with eviction, foreclosure, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies.

ATTENTION: There are new regulations for subsidized housing tenants as of July 1, 2023. Find them here.

Eligibility

You’re at risk of homelessness or losing your housing (for example, you received a Notice to Quit or an eviction notice; you’re behind on your mortgage; you received a utility shutoff notice; or you can’t stay in your home due to health, safety, or other reasons)
Your income is less than 50% of your city/town’s Area Median Income (AMI)
Your income is less than 60% of your city/town’s AMI AND you are at risk of domestic violence (income restriction chart at website link above)

Amount available

If you live in subsidized housing – up to 6 months of your share of your rent per 12 month period
If your housing is not subsidized – Up to $7000 per 12 month period

What can the funding be used for?

Moving cost assistance
Rent and utility arrears
Rental stipends
Utility bills

How do I Apply?

You MUST apply online here

What documentation do I need?

If you live in subsidized housing: you will need to provide proof of the incident or the cause of you falling behind financially. This will need to be verified as well.
ID for Head of Household: (such as a state issued driver’s license, birth certificate, or passport)
Proof of Current Housing (such as a lease, tenancy agreement, or tenancy at will agreement)
Verification of Housing Crisis (such as a Notice to Quit, proof that you are behind on your mortgage, an eviction notice, a utility shutoff notice, or documentation showing that you can’t stay in your current home due to health, safety, or other reasons)
Income Verification: After you apply, we’ll need to verify your income. We’ll try to do this automatically when you apply. If we can’t, we may ask you to upload your income documents.
Your landlord will need to complete a landlord application. After you submit your application, let your landlord or property manager know as soon as possible. They will also need to submit an application to complete the application process. If they don’t submit within 21 days, your application will time out, and you’ll have to reapply.