Important information about your housing rights and resources during the COVID-19 pandemic
Updated 8/10/21
- On August 3rd, 2021, the United States government extended the eviction moratorium to October 3rd, 2021. The moratorium restricts the ability to evict a tenant for failure to pay rent. This extended moratorium only applies in counties that have a substantial or high rate of COVID transmission. To find out the rate of COVID transmission in your county, go to: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/ - county-view. Find out more information about the eviction moratorium at: https://cb52b723-1431-4f7c-ac8...
- In addition to the protections of the national eviction moratorium, under our current state laws Massachusetts courts must postpone eviction cases when the tenant has applied for rental assistance and is waiting for a decision on the application. This law only applies to tenants who are facing eviction because they have failed to pay rent. As of now, the law is set to expire on April 1st, 2022. Find out more about COVID-related evictions at: https://evictionlegalhelp.org/.
- If you are behind on rent, mortgage payments, or utilities, we encourage you to apply for financial assistance through RAFT or ERMA. Find more information about these programs and how to apply: https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-...
- If you are having legal issues related to housing or the COVID-19 pandemic, you can contact Community Legal Aid at 855-CLA-LEGAL (855-252-5342) or apply online at https://communitylegal.org/get-help/how-get-help.
- If you have any questions about these resources or your fair housing rights related to the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center by phone at (413) 539-9796 or email us at info@massfairhousing.org.