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Some programs like  RCAP solutions have their own Section 8 wait list and do have homeless Priority. Not all Section 8 or MVHP have priority lists for housing. You have to call each one directly to find out

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Some programs like  RCAP solutions have their own Section 8 wait list and do have homeless Priority. Not all Section 8 or MVHP have priority lists for housing. You have to call each one directly to find out

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RAFT provides up to $7,000 per 12-month period so your family can stay in your current home or move to a new one. You may use the money for rent, utilities, moving costs, and mortgage payments.

Learn more about RAFT and other housing resources by dialing 211, contacting one of the Regional Agencies that manage RAFT applications, or contacting your local   Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC).

Eligibility

You may be eligible for RAFT if:

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

Check your town's Area Median Income (AMI) Use this eligibility checker to see if you're eligible:
What you need

Gather these documents before you 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, 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)

4. 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.

5. 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.

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Apply for RAFT (emergency help for housing costs)

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The Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program provides short-term emergency funding to help you with eviction, foreclosure, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies.

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CMHA leads a collaborative response to homelessness that fosters long-term housing stability through prevention, shelter & safety net, moving beyond homelessness, and public ed & advocacy.

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Section 8 Centralized Waiting List Massachusetts

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Section 8 Centralized Waiting List Massachusetts. The Section 8 housing choice voucher program is a federal government program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market.

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City Life/Vida Urbana

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Low-income households with or without children can apply to the RAFT Program. RAFT pays up to $7,000 to help with rent, mortgage, utilities and other housing costs, including moving to new housing.

Visit Findhelp.org to food, housing, transportation, and more in your area.

Call Mass2-1-1's free state hotline (dial 2-1-1 on your phone) for information on childcare, food, transportation, utility assistance, and housing.

You can also visit a Find Family Resource Centers (across the state), which support families in accessing basic needs and resources.

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HomeBASE helps families who are eligible for EA Emergency Family Shelter find stable housing.

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On the Hour of Need https://www.ihnworcester.org/

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On the Hour of Need https://www.ihnworcester.org/

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Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Worcester

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The Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Worcester (IHN) works in partnership with the faith community to provide shelter and assistance to families with children who are homeless. The program's primary goals are to assist families in increasing their income and to help them secure permanent housing, while providing the critical support services necessary for them to succeed.

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Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Worcester

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We work in partnership with the faith community to provide shelter and assistance to families with children who are homeless. The program's primary goals are to assist families in increasing their income and to help them secure permanent housing, while providing the critical support services necessa

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Open Sky has more than 20 years of experience in outreach and care coordination for homeless individuals - often with co-occurring mental health diagnoses or substance use disorder - and their family members. Across our homeless programs, we provide a range of emergency and long-term services housing searches and subsidies, employment and education support, and mental health and substance use disorder counseling.

Shirley Found New Life Through Homeless Program

Shirley has had some challenging times in her life. She lived in an abusive home, and experienced periods of living on the streets under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Several years ago, she was referred to ATARP, Open Sky's Aggressive Treatment and Relapse Prevention Program. ATARP provides stable housing and supports and access to treatment.

"On the streets, I felt hopeless and useless," says Shirley. And then she met Taylor Lacroix, Licensed Addictions Counselor and Division Director of Homeless programs at Open Sky, and Melissa Ingerson, Housing Team Lead for the ATARP program.

"I call them my 'bad ass team' because they won't take no for an answer and they never give up on me," says Shirley. "They are good people, working hard for me."

Today, Shirley has an apartment, with the lease in her name. She is, in her words, "Doing alright now."

"Everything I could have expected has happened, and it all started with the help from the team and that apartment," she says. "If it were not for this program, I would still be on the street. Or I would be dead. I am so grateful for this opportunity to live," she says.

WORCESTER AREA

ATARP (Aggressive Treatment and Relapse Prevention)

A Housing First program to help individuals who have co-occurring mental health challenges and substance use disorders.

locating housing

housing subsidies

treatment services

assistance with benefits

access to medical care

wraparound supports to help individuals be successful in the community

assistance with employment

education and other supports as needed

Referral through the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health is required.

Housing Initiative Program (HIP)

A program funded through the City of Worcester's Emergency Solution Grant (ESG) to provide rapid rehousing and supports for individuals experiencing homelessness in Worcester.

For more information, or to make a referral, contact the ATARP Office at (508) 755-0333.

SOUTH COUNTY AREA

SCHAP

South County Housing Assistance Program (SCHAP) is a HUD program offering assistance to individuals and families with disabilities or substance use disorders or HIV.

For more information, contact SCHAP at (508) 765-2815.

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Open Sky has more than 20 years of experience in outreach and care coordination for homeless individuals - often with co-occurring mental health diagnoses or substance use disorder.

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No income barriers noted https://abbyshouse.org/programs/ 

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No income barriers noted https://abbyshouse.org/programs/ 

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The Abby's House shelter is a nine bed overnight shelter for women with or without children. Please call 508-756-5486 to find out if there is shelter space available. For more information about our shelter, visit our shelter page.

Abby's House operates 72 single room supportive housing units for women and 7 two-bedroom apartments for women and children in three buildings in Worcester. To learn more about our housing program, visit our housing page.

Each woman staying in our shelter or living in our housing is assigned her own Advocate, who helps her identify realistic goals and assists her in identifying the tools she needs to achieve them. Our Advocates empower women to access the resources they need to succeed. For information about our Women's Center and how to obtain a Thrift Shop voucher, visit our advocacy page.

Additional Resources

The following is a list of service providers that may be able to help you. Abby's House is providing this information to you as a consideration. We cannot guarantee availability of any services. Unfortunately, services and shelter are overwhelmed by the volume of those in need. If you have a case manager, we encourage you to work with them.

While you are seeking shelter, you should do these tasks to move you forward toward housing:

Single women should submit a Single Room Occupancy (SRO) application to WCHR at 11 Pleasant Street in Worcester and SMOC at 237 Chandler Street in Worcester.

Women with children should complete an application for Emergency Assistance (Family Shelter) at the DTA office. If you do not qualify, you should have a denial letter to be considered for the Abby's House shelter. Women with children should also call shelters listed at https://mahomeless.org/family-shelters/ if they do not qualify through DHCD.

For pregnant women with no other children, contact the Visitation House on 119 Endicott Street in Worcester at 508-798-8002

If you are a single woman in immediate need of shelter, you can access the shelter at the Greater Worcester Housing Authority at 25 Queen Street in Worcester. Single women can also contact Catholic Charities on 52 Mason Street in Worcester at 508-753-3588 to inquire about their shelter availability.
Additional Resources For Information on Recovery Services For Information on Housing Assistance
Central Mass Housing Alliance Housing Counseling
6 Institute Road, Worcester
508-791-7265
https://www.cmhaonline.org/background-hc
For Information on Domestic Violence Services
Safelink State-wide DV Shelter access Hot Line
877-785-2020
For 17-24 Year Olds
SMOC TAY Program
237 Chandler Street, Worcester
508-757-0103

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Worcester, MA Advocacy, Housing, & Shelter Programs - Abby's House

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We offer advocacy, housing, and shelter programs for women and children at our locations in Worcester, MA. We invite you to learn more by visiting our Programs page.

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About the Program

For individuals and families who have lost income or are struggling to pay expenses due to a hardship, there are programs that can help.

RCAP Solutions serves as the regional Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC) for Worcester County and administers financial assistance through the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program. This program can provide eligible households with funding that can be used to help stay in current housing, obtain new housing, or otherwise avoid becoming homeless.

Which Agency Will Be Processing My Application?

If you live in the city of Worcester, your application will be processed by the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance (CMHA) . If you reside in Worcester and are unable to complete the online application or need application assistance, please contact CMHA at hc@cmhaonline.org or call (508) 752-5519, ext. 172

If you live in a Central Massachusetts town outside of Worcester (highlighted in green on our RAFT Service Area Map ), your application will be processed by RCAP Solutions. If you reside in one of these towns and are unable to complete the online application or need application assistance, please contact RCAP Solutions at HCEC@rcapsolutions.org or call (978) 630-6771

If you live outside of Central Massachusetts and are unsure of which agency services your community, please use this lookup tool .

RAFT Service Area Map (click to enlarge):

I Need Help Completing the Online Application. Who Can I Contact?

RCAP Solutions is proud to be partnering with several community-based organizations (CBOs) to bring RAFT application assistance to clients throughout Central Massachusetts.

If you need help completing the online application, please contact RCAP Solutions or a CBO (listed below) to schedule an appointment. During the appointment, you will be guided through the application process. These appointments can be conducted in-person or virtually.

PLEASE NOTE: This service is only available to residents living in a community where RCAP Solutions administers the RAFT program (see our RAFT Service Area Map ).

Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC)
Offering application assistance at multiple locations by appointment only. Click here to schedule.
(508) 754-1176 *resiliency@wcac.net
www.wcac.net
Serving Southern Worcester County/Blackstone Valley

Additional Information for Tenants

Eligible households include:

Individuals, families with or without children, and unaccompanied youth

Household income must be at or below 50% area median income (AMI)

Household must provide proof that they are currently experiencing a housing crisis

It is very important that applications are submitted with the following documentation. Submitting a complete application will ensure a quicker processing time, resulting in funds being delivered sooner.

ID for the head of household

Proof of housing crisis (for example, a notice to quit; which is a letter formally notifying you that your tenancy will be terminated on a specific date)

Proof of housing (for example, a lease)

Proof of income (for example, paystubs

To learn more about submitting a complete application, eligibility and required documents, click here .

Program funds can be used for housing-related expenses only. Up to $10,000 per household in a 12-month period can be provided. Appropriate uses of funds include, but are not limited to:

Rent arrears

Utility arrears

Security deposits

Start-up costs (if moving to a new apartment)

First and last month's rent

: Free legal help to low-income tenants who are facing eviction.

Discriminating against someone because they receive public assistance is illegal. If you are a tenant who has been denied housing due to your Section 8 voucher or if your landlord has refused RAFT or other rental assistance payments, the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center can help. Visit www.massfairhousing.org for more information.

Information for Landlords/Property Owners

The RAFT application system requires both a tenant application and a landlord application for tenants who are requesting rental assistance. Landlords and property owners can (a) begin the RAFT application process for their tenants who may need to request financial assistance for overdue rent OR (b) complete the application once the tenant has submitted their application.

To begin the landlord/property owner application process, you must first register an account as a new user if you have not already done so here: User Registration (mass.gov)

Your account must have info entered for the Payee, Properties, and Payment Methods sections on your profile before you can apply.

Once a landlord/property owner has an account, you can apply here:Home (mass.gov) If your tenant has already completed their application at the time you are submitting the landlord application, be sure to include the Tenant Application Code that you received in your email. Note that the Tenant Application Code is different from their Case ID.

For more guidance on how to apply and create a landlord profile, please utilize this reference guide:Housing Assistance Application Reference Guide (mass.gov)

For a list of landlords'/property owners' Frequently Asked Questions, visit:Landlord FAQs download (mass.gov)

For other resources, including recordings of webinars about Landlord/Property Owner RAFT Application Portal, visit:RAFT Public Resource and Training Portal (mass.gov)

Discrimination by a landlord is prohibited.

Landlords should be aware that Chapter 151B of the Massachusetts General Laws prohibits discrimination by a landlord against any tenant receiving federal, state, or local housing subsidies, including rental assistance or rental supplements, because the individual is such a recipient.

A landlord's refusal to accept emergency rental assistance, that covers the entire amount owed to the landlord, may, in some circumstances, constitute a violation of Chapter 151B. Landlords should consult their own legal counsel for advice before declining rental assistance that covers all outstanding rent arrears.

Information for Homeowners

As of July 1, 2023, the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program is available to eligible homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure. Eligible homeowners may apply for RAFT through the Emergency Housing Payment Assistance Portal . Eligibility guidelines are posted on the website.

Find Housing

For those who need assistance navigating a sometimes complicated market, there are resources to help you find and keep safe housing that you can afford. RCAP Solutions has identified several listing services with available apartments in the area.

Specialized Services

We can assist individuals and families with specialized services which includes; assistance with applying for emergency funding, gaining access to mental health and substance abuse centers, and obtaining public benefits and legal help. This intensive, personalized case management is pivotal in engaging households and stabilizing them in their communities.

Have questions? Looking for assistance?

If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about these services, please contact us via email: HCEC@rcapsolutions.org or phone: (978) 630-6771

Financial Assistance Programs Keep Struggling Families Safely Housed

The Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program has helped keep thousands of people safely housed, including those featured in our video.

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Financial Assistance for Renters (RAFT Program) | RCAP Solutions

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About the Program For individuals and families who have lost income or are struggling to pay expenses due to a hardship, there are programs that can help. RCAP Solutions serves as the regional Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC) for Worcester County and administers financial assistance through the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program.

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If you're at risk get on a wait list ASAP. THERE IS ABOUT a 30 day wait for shelter space for families 

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If you're at risk get on a wait list ASAP. THERE IS ABOUT a 30 day wait for shelter space for families 