The Massachusetts Legislature approved and the Governor signed legislation that created the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition Program (RAFT). The appropriation is $5,000,000. The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) contracts with the regional nonprofit housing agencies that operate the Housing Consumer Education Centers. RAFT benefits will provide short term, limited financial assistance which will enable families to retain housing, obtain new housing or otherwise avoid homelessness.

Attached are the new RAFT guidelines for FY 07 and a  DHCD memo regarding a policy change for issuance of rent arrears to people in subsidized housing.  They now have to fill out a form describing why they are at risk of homelessness in order to be eligible for rent arrears assistance.

Attached is a document posted on the DHCD website describing changes to administration of the RAFT program for the current fiscal year, including a summary of some policies and restrictions the various regional nonprofits were individually allowed to impose. Also available at: http://www.mass.gov/Ehed/docs/dhcd/ph/raft/revisions.doc