The RAFT Program and How We Help You With It

This pandemic has not been easy for most of us. Luckily, there are rental housing assistance programs in place to tide over affected residents. In today’s article, we talk about the RAFT program and how we assist our residents in their application process.

What is RAFT?

RAFT stands for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition. The Residential Assistance for Families in Transition RAFT program is a Massachusetts state initiative—often referred to as “Residential Assistance for Families in Transition RAFT“—designed to help eligible households avoid eviction and stay in stable housing. For families in transition, RAFT provides a critical lifeline covering rent arrears, utilities, and moving costs. Below we explain how the RAFT program works, who qualifies, and how the application process works for both tenants and landlords.

RAFT stands for Rental Assistance for Families in Transition. Residents at risk of eviction can apply for this program to get assistance for things such as rent arrears and utility bills.  It also covers moving costs for transitions, such as the first month, last month, and even for furniture.

How Much Does RAFT Cover for Furniture?

When it comes to furniture costs, RAFT does provide some support, but there is a limit. The program will contribute up to $1,000 toward essential furniture expenses for your new home. This can really help ease the burden of moving for families starting fresh, but it’s good to know that any amount above this cap would need to come from other resources or your own savings.

Who Is Eligible for RAFT Assistance?

To qualify for RAFT, households typically need to have an income at or below 50% of the area’s median income. Additionally, a portion of the program’s funds are reserved for those with the greatest need—specifically, families and individuals with household incomes under 30% of the area median. If you’re struggling financially and worried about keeping your home, this program is designed with you in mind.

Who funds RAFT?

Funding for the RAFT program comes directly from the state’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC). This ensures that eligible families and individuals facing housing instability can access financial support when they need it most.

Now, families can’t get more than $4000 in the course of a year for this. But they can apply again later on.

When requesting rental assistance through RAFT, having the right documents ready is essential. If you’ve received an eviction notice or court summons, bring those documents—they demonstrate urgency and can help prioritize your case. The RAFT application system requires proof of income, a copy of your lease, and documentation of your housing crisis.

Who Can Apply for RAFT?

Eligibility for the RAFT program is based primarily on your household income. Both families and individuals whose income falls at or below 50% of the area median income can apply. There’s also special priority for those earning below 30% of the area median.

A common question we hear is whether your immigration status affects your eligibility. The good news is—immigration status is not a barrier. Massachusetts residents can apply for RAFT assistance regardless of their immigration background.

A lot of families and individuals apply for this program, so it is not an easy process. Obviously, the government is inundated with the number of applications that need to get through. Applicants really need to stay on top of it. 

Step-by-Step Guide to the RAFT Application Process

Whether you are a tenant or a landlord, this step-by-step guide walks you through what to expect when you program visit residential assistance resources at mass.gov and begin your submission. The transition RAFT program mass.gov portal is the official starting point for all applicants in Massachusetts, and the RAFT program visit residential assistance page explains each phase of the review.

For Tenants: The RAFT application process begins by visiting the online portal and selecting your regional administering agency. You will receive a tenant application code after registering—this code links your file to your landlord’s submission. Gather proof of income, your current lease, and any eviction notice or court summons before you start.

For Landlords and Property Owners: Landlords must complete a separate landlord application for tenants to confirm tenancy and rental amounts. The landlord property owner application asks for details about your properties and payment methods so approved funds can be disbursed directly to you. You will need your tenant’s application code to link both submissions. Landlord applications must be completed promptly after the tenant initiates their request to avoid delays. The full property owner application process is straightforward once you have the required documents ready.

The RAFT application system requires all parties to complete their sections before a case worker can review the file. Once the tenant and landlord submissions are linked, a case worker will contact you to confirm details and request any missing paperwork needed to finalize requesting rental assistance.

What’s the Fastest Way to Apply?

If you’re eager to move things along quickly, the fastest way to apply for RAFT assistance is to fill out the online application. Submitting your paperwork electronically speeds up processing and helps you track your application status more easily. Just make sure to have all your supporting documents ready before you start—this can help avoid delays and keep your application at the top of the pile.

How We Can Help

As your property manager, Green Ocean helps you complete the application accurately the first time. We regularly handle landlord applications for RAFT in the Boston area—gathering the required documentation, verifying tenant eligibility, and coordinating directly with the administering agency so approved funds reach your account faster.

Once you apply, you have to submit the documents correctly because if there are issues, you will kind of start the process all over again. That is not what you want to do when you are competing for government funds. At Green Ocean Property Management, we have gone through RAFT applications tons of times. We assisted many of our residents with their applications.

Consequently, this helps our landlords too. Through the RAFT program, tenants get to pay their rent. Their payment keeps landlords on their feet and helps pay the mortgages as well. We do this for our residents and landlords proactively to make sure that everybody still has income coming in, the bills are paid, and we can stay on.

Our commitment

So if you or anyone else you know is looking for a proactive property manager to help you or your residents go through the RAFT program, please think of Green Ocean Property Management: where you get more than a property manager, you get peace of mind.

Contact us today to discuss how we can assist you with the RAFT program and ensure a smooth process for all involved.