Whether you’re running behind on rent or facing eviction, there are many ways to get Massachusetts rent relief! We’ve done the research and found 44 different rent payment assistance programs throughout the state.
Keep reading to find the best rent relief option for you!
Statewide Rental Assistance Programs
Massachusetts has several statewide rental assistance programs that may be able to help you out if you’re behind on rent. Once you’ve checked out these statewide programs, be sure to keep reading for even more local resources.
Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT)
Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) is a statewide homelessness prevention program that provides short-term assistance to families and individuals at risk of eviction or homelessness. This program is funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHDC).
What does RAFT cover?
RAFT assistance can be used for rental and utility arrears, moving expenses, or a single future rent payment. The maximum amount of assistance is $10,000 over a 1-year period.
Who is eligible for RAFT?
In order to be eligible for RAFT you must:
- Be facing an eviction or housing instability.
- Currently renting or moving into a rental.
- Meet certain income requirements.
How do I apply?
You can apply to RAFT online. Have the following ready before you begin filling out your application:
- A form of identification
- Lease or rental agreement
- Proof of a housing crisis
- Your landlord’s contact information
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP)
Massachusetts’ Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Those eligible receive assistance to cover a portion of their rent each month, paid directly to the landlord.
What does Section 8 cover?
The amount of rental assistance provided through Section 8 is dependent upon the recipient’s income. Those who are eligible typically pay 30 to 40 percent of their rent, and Section 8 vouchers cover the remaining amount due.
Who is eligible for Section 8?
In order to be eligible for Section 8 in Massachusetts, you must meet certain income requirements depending on where you live and the number of individuals in your household. These income limits are established by HUD.
How do I apply?
To apply for Section 8, you must contact one of eight agencies partnering with the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). This service locator can help you find an agency near you. Be aware that the waitlist for Section 8 is long and funding is limited.
Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP)
The Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) offers rental subsidies to eligible individuals and families. These include mobile subsidies that can be used in any suitable rental in the state, or project-based vouchers which are only available for certain apartments.
What does MRVP cover?
How much of your rent is covered will depend on which type of voucher you have. Generally, you will have to pay 30 to 40 percent of your income toward rent, and the MRVP subsidy will pay the difference to your landlord.
Who is eligible for MRVP?
You must meet certain income requirements in order to be eligible for MRVP. Your income cannot exceed 80% of the Area Mean Income, which varies depending on household size.
How do I apply?
In order to apply for MRVP, you’ll need to contact a local housing agency near you. You can use this service locator to find one.
Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP)
Low-income individuals with disabilities who are not elderly may be able to receive rental assistance through the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP).
What does AHVP cover?
AHVP provides monthly vouchers for rental housing. Program participants will generally pay 25 or 30 percent of their income toward rent, and AHVP will cover the rest. The amount covered depends on whether utilities are included in the participant’s rent.
Who is eligible for AHVP?
In order to be eligible for AHVP you must:
- Meet certain income requirements
- Be under 60 years old
- Have a disability
- Qualify for Chapter 667 (elderly/disabled) housing
How do I apply?
You can apply for AHVP online using CHAMP. Or you may fill out a paper application (available here) and submit it to one of the Issuing Agencies near you.
The British Society
The British Society serves British citizens and their children living in Massachusetts. They may be able to offer rent payment assistance to eligible individuals.
Catholic Charities
There are several organizations associated with Catholic Charities around the state that offer emergency rent payment assistance. This service can vary by location, so reach out to an organization near you for more information.
MassUndocuFund
Undocumented individuals and their families living in Massachusetts may be able to get emergency assistance for rent payments and other needs from MassUndocuFund during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul may be able to offer rental assistance to those in need. This service can vary by location, though, so find a chapter near you to see if rent relief is available.
The Salvation Army
Some chapters of The Salvation Army can offer rent relief, but not all. Contact a location near you to see if they offer rent payment assistance.
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) helps low-income veterans and their families to maintain stable and secure housing. They may be able to offer rental assistance to prevent homelessness. Contact a location near you for more information.
Nationwide Rental Assistance Programs
You can also find rental assistance programs that serve all 50 states. Check out this article on how to find free US rent relief!
Local Massachusetts Rent Relief Programs
There are many rent relief programs in Massachusetts that serve a specific region, area, city, or zip code. For your convenience, we’ve organized these programs alphabetically by county.
Barnstable County
Barnstable County HOME Program
Eligible families and individuals in Barnstable County who have been affected by the pandemic may be able to receive up to $6,000 in emergency rental assistance through the Barnstable County HOME Program.
Brewster Housing Office
The Brewster Housing Office may be able to offer financial assistance toward housing and rental payments to residents of Brewser in need.
Cape Cod Times Needy Fund
Individuals and families going through a temporary financial hardship may be able to get financial assistance from the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund. This service is available to those living on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket.
Dennis Caleb Chase Fund
Older women living in Dennis or Harwich who are at risk of homelessness may be able to receive financial assistance through the Caleb Chase Fund.
Lower Cape Outreach Council
The Lower Cape Outreach Council offers emergency assistance toward rent, utilities and other needs to those who are eligible. Income and other eligibility requirements apply.
Recovery Without Walls
Women living on Cape Cod who have recently received treatment for substance abuse dependency may be able to receive limited financial assistance for rent payments from Recovery Without Walls.
Wings for Falmouth Families
Wings for Falmouth Families may be able to offer financial assistance to families with school-age children during a crisis or following a tragic event.
Berkshire County
Construct Inc.
Construct Inc. may be able to offer one-time rental assistance to individuals and families facing homelessness. You must meet certain income requirements in order to be eligible.
North Adams Community Development Office
Low-income residents of North Adams may be able to get financial assistance toward rent payments from the North Adams Community Development Office.
Bristol County
SWAN Society in Boston
Widowed, divorced, or single women over 65 living within 25 miles of Boston may be able to get rental assistance from SWAN Society in Boston. In order to be eligible, you must be referred by an outside organization or social service agency.
Dukes County
Cape Cod Times Needy Fund
Individuals and families going through a temporary financial hardship may be able to get financial assistance from the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund. This service is available to those living on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket.
Essex County
Beverly Bootstraps
Beverly Bootstraps may be able to offer assistance with rent payments to low-income individuals living in Beverly, Hamilton, Essex, Manchester, and Wenham.
The Hamilton Foundation
Residents of Hamilton and South Hamilton may be able to get short-term financial assistance toward rent payments from The Hamilton Foundation.
Newburyport Society for the Relief of Aged Women
Women over 60 living in the Newburyport, Newbury, or Salisbury area may be able to receive financial assistance from Newburyport Society for the Relief of Aged Women. Other income and eligibility requirements may apply.
Pettengill House
Pettengill House may be able to offer emergency financial assistance toward rent payments to those in need. You can fill out an application for assistance on their website.
SWAN Society in Boston
SWAN Society in Boston may be able to offer rent payment assistance to widowed, divorced, or single women over 65 living within 25 miles of Boston. You must be referred by a community agency, hospital, or other organization in order to be eligible.
Hampshire County
Amherst Community Connections
Amherst residents experiencing homelessness may be able to receive up to $400 per month for six months from Amherst Community Connections.
Middlesex County
Acton-Boxborough United Way
The Acton-Boxborough United Way may be able to offer those eligible up to $1000 toward rent payments or other needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. You must be a resident of Acton or Boxborough to receive assistance.
Ashland Emergency Fund
Residents of the Town of Ashland may be able to get one-time financial assistance through the Ashland Emergency Fund. This assistance can be used for rent, utilities, or other needs.
The Brookline Center
The Brookline Center may be able to offer assistance to residents of Brookline, Newton, Waltham, and Watertown in need of one-time or short-term financial assistance.
Horace Cousens Industrial Fund
Residents of Newton only may be able to get one-time emergency financial assistance through the Horace Cousens Industrial Fund.
Hugh Cargill Trust
Concord residents may be able to get rent payment assistance through the Hugh Cargill Trust. You must be referred by a community service agency in order to receive assistance.
Family Promise Metrowest
This organization assists families at risk of eviction through the Local Initiative for Family Empowerment (LIFE) program. You must have at least one child under the age of 18 in your household in order to be eligible for rent payment assistance.
Lexington Emergency Assistance Fund (LEAF)
Lexington residents facing an unexpected crisis may be able to get limited financial assistance through LEAF. You must meet certain income and eligibility requirements.
Melrose Emergency Fund
Residents of Melrose only may be able to get financial assistance from the Melrose Emergency Fund in an emergency. Other eligibility requirements may apply.
Natick Service Council
Natick Service Council may be able to offer financial assistance to low-income Natick residents as part of their Eviction Prevention Services.
SWAN Society in Boston
SWAN Society in Boston may be able to offer rent payment assistance to widowed, divorced, or single women over 65 living within 25 miles of Boston. You must be referred by a community agency, hospital, or other organization in order to be eligible.
Wayland Community Fund
Wayland residents may be able to receive short-term, emergency assistance through the Wayland Community Fund. You must have lived in Wayland for at least one year in order to be eligible for rent relief.
Nantucket County
Cape Cod Times Needy Fund
Individuals and families going through a temporary financial hardship may be able to get financial assistance from the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund. This service is available to those living on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket.
Nantucket Food Fuel Rental Assistance
Low-income families in Nantucket County may be able to receive rent payment assistance through Nantucket Food Fuel Rental Assistance. Assistance is limited to $5,000 over a period of 18 months and paid directly to the landlord.
Norfolk County
Family Promise Metrowest
This organization assists families at risk of eviction through the Local Initiative for Family Empowerment (LIFE) program. You must have at least one child under the age of 18 in your household in order to be eligible for rent payment assistance.
Interfaith Social Services
The HomeSafe program at Interfaith Social Services is a homeless prevention program that may be able to offer emergency financial assistance toward rent payments.
SWAN Society in Boston
SWAN Society in Boston may be able to offer rent payment assistance to widowed, divorced, or single women over 65 living within 25 miles of Boston. You must be referred by a community agency, hospital, or other organization in order to be eligible.
Plymouth County
Interfaith Social Services
The HomeSafe program at Interfaith Social Services is a homeless prevention program that may be able to offer emergency financial assistance toward rent payments.
SWAN Society in Boston
Widowed, divorced, or single women over 65 living within 25 miles of Boston may be able to get rental assistance from SWAN Society in Boston. In order to be eligible, you must be referred by an outside organization or social service agency.
Turning Point
Turning Point serves the communities of Buzzards Bay, Carver, Marion, Mattapoisett, Middleborough, Rochester, and Wareham. They may be able to offer rent payment assistance to residents of these communities in need.
Suffolk County
City Mission
A Lift Up is a homeless prevention program offered through City Mission in Boston. Through this program, low-income single mothers may be able to receive some financial assistance for rent. This program is available to those living in the Boston area.
Project Hope
Project Hope may be able to offer emergency rent funds along with a variety of other services to eligible residents of Dorchester and Roxbury.
City of Boston Rental Relief Fund
The city of Boston is offering emergency rent relief for those affected by the pandemic with their Rental Relief Fund. This service is for residents of Boston only.
SWAN Society in Boston
Widowed, divorced, or single women over 65 living within 25 miles of Boston may be able to get rental assistance from SWAN Society in Boston. In order to be eligible, you must be referred by an outside organization or social service agency.
Worcester County
Auburn Community Assistance Fund
The Auburn Community Assistance Fund may be able to offer emergency funds toward rent payments to Auburn residents in need.
Family Promise Metrowest
This organization assists families at risk of eviction through the Local Initiative for Family Empowerment (LIFE) program. You must have at least one child under the age of 18 in your household in order to be eligible for rent payment assistance.
Making Opportunity Count
Individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families may be able to get assistance from Making Opportunity Count. Along with a variety of other free services, this program offers rent assistance in some cases to help prevent homelessness.
Northborough Helping Hands Association
Northborough residents may be able to get rent relief or other financial assistance from Northborough Helping Hands Association. Funds are paid directly to the landlord or service provider. Your request for assistance must be through an approved social services organization.
Spencer Charitable Needs Commission
Residents of Spencer may be able to get one-time assistance to pay an outstanding bill from Spencer Charitable Needs Commission. You must be a resident of Spencer for at least 1 year for this assistance.
Lydia Mockensturm
Lydia Mockensturm has a BA in English and previously taught English as a second language. As a freelance writer and editor, she’s passionate about using her research and writing experience to help others find the resources they need.