Renter Resources
Welcome to the Renter Resources page! Here you will find lots of information on BCDC programs and resources as well as many services, guides, and tools created by other organizations.
Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA Program)
As a result of Brookline’s incredibly high rents, many residents find themselves in very unstable housing situations and in need of financial assistance. The Brookline CDC continues its partnership with Metro West Collaborative Development, Inc. (Metro West CD) to implement the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program for residents of Brookline.
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.
Additional Resources
Emergency Resources
- Disability/Healthcare/Illness
- Financial Assistance for Basic Needs
- Utility Assistance
- Unhoused and Under-housed Adults and Youth
- Youth
- LGBTQIA+
- Veterans and Their Families
- HIV/AIDS
- Formerly Incarcerated People & Those with Incarcerated Loved Ones
Landlord Tenant Resources
- Terms of tenancy
- Tenancy based on a lease
- Tenancy-at-will
- Obligations of the landlord and the tenant
- Negotiations
- Key Organizations
- Payments at the start of tenancy
- Security deposits
- Last month’s rent
- Eviction
- Find help and resolve a dispute
- The eviction process
First-Time Homebuyer Resources
- First-Time Homebuyer Classes
- Individual Development Account (IDA) Programs
- Down Payment and CLosing Cost Assistance Programs
- Homebuyer Resources for Veterans
- Finding Affordable Homes for Sale
NOTE: This list is in-process and not complete. We are continuously compiling this info. If you know of an organization or resource that is missing or if something listed below is outdated, let us know by emailing ladina@brooklinecdc.com
BCDC Tenant Organizer Services
We are available for questions around any of BCDC’s programs or the resources provided below. If you are a renter, you can also reach out with any issue you might be having with your landlord, issues with housing vouchers, assistance in applying for rental assistance, an eviction notice, and more (** we do not provide housing search assistance). We are available to assist groups of tenants interested in forming a tenant union and we organize with tenants across Brookline to advocate for relevant public policy change and to build community in Brookline.
Contact Info
Office hours: Wednesdays and Thursdays between 10am - 5pm in our office at 210 Harvard St. Feel free to reach out to schedule a different time if these don’t work for you. Weekend hours may be possible.
Email: ladina@brooklinecdc.com
Additional Resources
Emergency Resources
- Disability/Healthcare/Illness
- Financial Assistance for Basic Needs
- Utility Assistance
- Unhoused and Under-housed Adults and Youth
- Youth
- LGBTQIA+
- Veterans and Their Families
- HIV/AIDS
- Formerly Incarcerated People & Those with Incarcerated Loved Ones
Click Here for Resources ⇒
Tools, Guides, & Lists of Resources
- Housing Resources
- Eviction Defense
- Legal Assistance Resources
- Tenants Rights Information
- Tenant Organizing Information
- Financial Education/Debt Counseling Resources
- Resources for Formerly Incarcerated People
Coming soon.
First-Time Homebuyer Resources
- First-Time Homebuyer Classes
- Individual Development Account (IDA) Programs
- Down Payment and CLosing Cost Assistance Programs
- Homebuyer Resources for Veterans
- Finding Affordable Homes for Sale
Click Here for First-Time Homebuyer Resources ⇒
NOTE: This list is in-process and not complete. We are continuously compiling this info. If you know of an organization or resource that is missing or if something listed below is outdated, let us know by emailing ladina@brooklinecdc.com