Help with Housing
Like the rest of the country, Massachusetts is in the midst of a housing crisis. If you are struggling, there are programs in place for you to regain housing stability. Rep. LeBoeuf is fighting for you on the Joint Committee on Housing—to make it easier to receive these benefits, to increase affordable housing in the area, and to advocate for local concerns.
If you have a question for Rep. LeBoeuf, contact him or visit his office hours. You can also view the resources below:
Help Accessing Programs
Central Mass Housing Alliance (CMHA): CMHA seeks to combat homelessness and secure housing stability in Central Massachusetts. CMHA provides resources, education, and counseling, and advocates for policies for housing insecure individuals.
RCAP Solutions: RCAP Solutions provides housing counseling and services, subsidized housing and rental assistance programs, and affordable housing resources. They can help you apply for HomeBASE, Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT), the Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP), and the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP).
Elder Services of Worcester Area: Elder Services of Worcester provides services for the elderly and their families, including in-home care plans and assistance for those struggling financially, such as through the Meals on Wheels program.
Rental Assistance Programs
Information on RAFT: Short for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition, RAFT provides short-term emergency funding of up to $7,000 per year to help households experiencing a housing crisis pay for various rent, utility, and moving expenses.
Check Eligibility for RAFT: Wondering if you are eligible for the RAFT program? Check to see if you can apply here!
Housing Help Hub: You can apply for RAFT, Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter, and HomeBASE online using the Housing Help Hub.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program: The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) is a rental assistance program that helps low-income families pay a portion of their rent. In most cases, HCVP covers up to 70% of rent.
Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program: Like Section 8, MRVP grants rental vouchers to eligible applicants. While project-based vouchers are tied to specific housing units, mobile or tenant-based vouchers can travel with the recipient to new locations. The recipient puts at least 30% of their net monthly income towards rent. The remainder is covered by the voucher.
View a printable handout with more information on RAFT.
Public Housing
Worcester Housing Authority: The Worcester Housing Authority provides support to housing insecure individuals on their journey to stable housing. They offer housing programs, voucher application resources, assistance for tenants, and more.
Leicester Housing Authority: The Leicester Housing Authority is a public housing agency that administers State programs, such as State-funded public housing, to serve housing insecure populations in Leicester.
Emergency Housing for Homeless Populations
Emergency Assistance Shelter: EA Shelter provides temporary shelter to those experiencing homelessness as they find a new place to live. Those whose family’s gross income is below 155% of the Area Median Income and are displaced due to no-fault fire or flood damage, health and safety risks, foreclosure, fleeing domestic violence, or no-fault eviction may be eligible.
HomeBASE: HomeBASE helps those eligible for EA Shelter find stable housing. It provides eligible families with up to $30,000 over a two-year period to assist with housing-related costs such as rent, utilities, and moving expenses.
Legal Help
If you or a loved one are facing eviction, you are not alone—you are entitled to legal assistance, and there are resources to help you advocate for your right to housing. Remember: it’s never too late! It is your Constitutional right to be represented in court.
Community Legal Aid: Community Legal Aid (CLA) provides free civil (non-criminal) legal aid for residents of Central and Western Massachusetts. Civil legal aid pertains to non-criminal issues such as evictions and foreclosures. They specialize in eviction law and in aiding homeless families seeking shelter, those seeking public benefits, and those fleeing domestic violence.
Central West Justice Center: Affiliated with Community Legal Aid, Central West Justice Center provides free civil legal aid to low-income and immigrant communities in Central and Western Massachusetts. They address humanitarian-based immigration law, employment rights, housing and homelessness, and public benefits access.
MA.Gov on Eviction Legal Services: The Commonwealth has provided a toolkit for those facing eviction legal action to find services based on location, simplifying accessing representation.
Mass Legal Help: Funded by the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Organization, Mass Legal Help offers an FAQ for those seeking eviction legal services. They also have materials to teach those without a lawyer to defend themselves in eviction court. Mass Legal Help guides users along each step of the process through booklets and information sheets.
Eviction Legal Help: With information in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and more, Eviction Legal Help guides landlords and tenants through the eviction process, and provides tenants facing eviction with resources to find legal representation.
Tenant and Landlord Rights and Responsibilities
If you are a landlord or tenant requiring more information regarding the rights and responsibilities within your role, these links will provide you with everything you need to know about statewide rules and regulations.
Tenant Rights and Responsibilities: Looking to know what your obligations are as a tenant, and what options are available? Check out the Massachusetts government website regarding the rights and responsibilities of tenants in the Commonwealth.
Landlord Rights and Responsibilities: Facing an issue, looking for guidance, or just seeking more information? Visit the Massachusetts government website regarding the rights landlords have and the responsibilities they must adhere to.