Parent Page: Housing Stability

Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC)

Metro Housing’s primary resource that is free and open to the public—the Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC) — is a clearinghouse for households along the housing continuum: homelessness prevention, housing stability, and economic security. HCEC staff help families address crises, educate and assist tenants and property owners, and respond to constituent issues reported by elected officials.

Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT)

The state-funded RAFT program is a tool used by the Housing Hub team to provide up to $7,000 per 12-month period to help people with low incomes stay housed or move into their next home during periods of housing instability and crisis. Time frame restrictions and total funding options vary. To determine eligibility for RAFT, go to the online application at bit.ly/Rentrelief

Housing Search

HCEC staff helps people navigate the housing system by assisting in obtaining the forms and documents that tenants need to apply for housing and making sure people understand their housing options moving forward.

Information, Referral, and Case Management

Using our extended network of service providers, HCEC connects people with resources for:
• Financial assistance • Legal aid • Housing search • Move-in/transition support • Furniture and furnishings assistance • Budget support • Utilities • Arrearage assistance

Colocations

Metro Housing partners with local organizations and uses their expertise to supply vital housing support services to residents who have low and moderate incomes. Through these collaborations with community organizations, residents access multiple services convenient to where they live, in familiar locations that are physically and culturally accessible. The colocation sites are possible in part through the generous support of Bank of America.

Workshops

Upcoming workshops may include: • Introduction To Eviction Process & Prevention • Housing Search Strategies • Introduction To Affordable Housing and the EA Shelter System • Fair Housing and Civil Rights Workshop

Other Resources Available Through HCEC

HCEC offers free workshops, resources and intervention services to help you with your housing questions and concerns. You may also access fact sheets, newsletters, reference books, and service directories. We also provide free access to telephones and the internet.

The Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC) Team is now having walk-in appointments on Mondays from 9:30 to noon only. Once capacity is reached for the day, participants who were not seen may schedule their next appointment by calling the Resource Line at 617-425-6700 or Resourceline@metrohousingboston.org.

Appointments are available with the RAFT and HCEC teams for the following types of inquiries:

  1. Budget support – I need a group workshop or one-on-one financial coaching with Green Space.
  2. Housing search resources – I need assistance locating and using housing search resources.
  3. Financial assistance resources other than RAFT – I need assistance locating and/or applying for housing-related financial assistance other than RAFT.
  4. Status update on existing RAFT application – I need assistance checking the status of my RAFT application, or assistance uploading documents.
  5. RAFT Letter of Intent-related questions – I have questions about my approved Letter of Intent, or I need help converting my approved Letter of Intent into a RAFT application.
  6. Help applying for RAFT – I do not have an application already started and need help with the RAFT application process.
  7. Payment inquiry for approved RAFT application – I have questions about a RAFT payment that was made to me/my landlord.
  8. Tenant/Landlord RAFT portal help – I’m having trouble using the RAFT application portal and need help.

To schedule an appointment, click HERE. Click HERE for the Spanish version

Communities we serve

Metro Housing|Boston serves individuals and families, as well property owners, in 30 communities throughout Greater Boston.

  • Arlington
  • Bedford
  • Belmont
  • Boston
  • Braintree
  • Brookline
  • Burlington
  • Cambridge
  • Chelsea
  • Everett
  • Lexington
  • Lynn*
  • Malden
  • Medford
  • Melrose
  • Milton
  • Newton
  • North Reading
  • Quincy
  • Reading
  • Revere
  • Somerville
  • Stoneham
  • Wakefield
  • Waltham
  • Watertown
  • Wilmington
  • Winchester
  • Winthrop
  • Woburn

*Metro Housing|Boston does not administer RAFT, Voucher Programs, or HomeBASE assistance in Lynn. See Lynn Housing Authority.
*In addition to the 30 communities listed above, Metro Housing|Boston administers rental voucher programs in Holbrook, Randolph, and Weymouth. If you are specifically seeking RAFT assistance in those communities,
you must apply instead to Housing Solutions. (http://housingsolutionssema.org).

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