Guidance for Private Affordable Housing Operators and Owners
DHCD is urging operators and owners of private, affordable housing to suspend all action on nonemergency evictions during the COVID-19 State of Emergency. This guidance also reminds owners and operators that the Massachusetts Housing Court has suspended all non-emergency proceedings during the State of Emergency, and that voucher holders with either project-based vouchers, or mobile vouchers can have their rent re-calculated if there is a loss of income due to the COVID-19 emergency.
DHCD has also issued guidance, in coordination with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, and other partners on limiting visitors to multi-unit housing developments, along with an attachment including contact information for local Aging Service Access Point providers.
Initial guidance can be found below on rent increases during the COVID-19 health emergency with regards to privately owned affordable housing. DHCD expects owners to refrain from raising rents during this period of time.
Additional Resources
Guidance for State-Aided Public Housing
DHCD oversees more than 200 Local Housing Authorities across Massachusetts, covering a portfolio of more than 45,000 units of state-aided public housing. Here you can find all of the Public Housing Notices that DHCD has released regarding COVID-19. For all Public Housing Notices, please visit this page
Notices:
2020-33 COVID 19 response Updated Recommendations
2020-32 Eviction Prevention Guidance
Model Pending Case Letter
Model Non-Payment Notice
Model Out of Court Repayment Agreement
CDC Declaration Form
2020-27 Recommendations for Safe Reopening in Phase III
Health and Safety Inspection LHA Instructions
Health & Safety Inspection Form Template
2020-24 Design and Funding Guidelines for Adapting LHA Office Spaces for Social Distancing and Indoor Air Quality
2020-23 Phase I & II Reopening Guidance
2020-21A Rent Policy During COVID-19 Emergency
Addendum #1 Q&A
Rent Scenarios
Regulator Waiver on Late Fees and Interest
Regulatory Waiver on Rent Increases
2020-20 Restricting Access to High-Risk Developments
EOEA Homecare Essential Employees
Malden Board of Health Order Restricting Visitors at MHA Properties
Template Holder Agreement
2020-16 Remote Public Meetings During COVID-19
2020-15 Resident Services Resources
Self Sufficiency Program Questions and Answers
2020-14 Procuring Supplies & Services Related to COVID-19
OSD Products and Services Bulletin
2020-13 Preparing for and Responding to COVID-19 Case in Public Housing
Addendum #1 COVID-19 Lease Addendum for Quarantine Units
COVID-19 Disclosure Permission Log
2020-12 Guidance on Evictions and Rent Redetermination
2020-11 Operational Guidance for COVID-19
Coronavirus Questionnaire for Public ENG-SPA 3-15
Coronavirus Questionnaire Instructions for Work Orders 3-16
COVID-19 Building Visitor Log
COVID-19 STOP SIGN TEMPLATE
Coronavirus Resident Notice Template
2020-10 Capital projects During Covid-19
2020-09 Interim Redeterminations
2020-08 DHCD Oversight During COVID-19
PHN 2020-08 Addendum #1
2020-07 COVID-19 Information Memo
Guidance for Rental Voucher Holders and Administering Agencies
The Division of Rental Assistance has issued guidance to administering agencies on rent re-certification, a right for any tenant using the following rental vouchers: MRVP, AHVP, and federal vouchers within DHCD’s portfolio. If you have experienced a loss of income, and utilize one of these vouchers, you can apply at any time to have your rent contribution re-calculated by your administering agency.
Please see further guidance below for administering agencies on the suspension of termination in nonessential circumstances for voucher holders.
Additional Resources
Guidance for Family and Individual Shelter Providers
The Division of Housing Stabilization (DHS) oversees the state’s response to family homelessness, through our Emergency Assistance Program, and provides funding to individual shelters across the Commonwealth.
Please find here the guidance DHCD and DHS has distributed to family and individual shelter providers.
Additional Resources
Guidance on Construction
please see link below
Additional Resources
Resources and Guidance for Municipalities
"Coming Soon: Local Recovery Planning Grants!
Check back here for more information about these grants in late November/early December"
Massachusetts Downtown Initiative (MDI)
DHCD’s Community Services Division provides funding and technical assistance to cities and towns on a variety of development and local issues. Please find a variety of resources for municipalities in this section.
Below find a FAQ and information related to the Major Disaster Declaration issued on March 20, 2020 and federal reimbursement for COVID-19 related costs incurred by affected local governments. For more information related to the federal CARES Act and community services, please refer to the Federal CARES Act Policy Changes and Funding Program Information subsection on this page
DHCD is partnering with Massachusetts Housing Partnership and Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) to provide best practices and technical assistance to Massachusetts municipalities regarding locally-funded emergency rental assistance programs to respond to COVID-19 (funded by CPA, CDBG, or Affordable Housing Trusts). In May 2020, DHCD and partners published a survey of locally funded emergency rental assistance programs and continues to update the database as a part of Mass Housing Partnership’s Massachusetts Housing Toolbox. A follow up survey is being conducted in October 2020 to provide information about these local Emergency Rental Assistance programs. Results will be posted at the Massachusetts Housing Toolbox site.
We Invite municipalities to use these new resources and visit the Massachusetts Housing Toolbox at the link below.
Additional Resources
Federal CARES Act Policy Changes and Funding Program Information
Included in the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act are funding programs that will supplement the state and local response to the COVID-19 crisis, as well as several policy changes that impact Massachusetts residents. For further information on new funding opportunities related to federal programs managed by DHCD, please visit the following websites. EOHED and DHCD will continue to update both sites:
Community Services and State/Municipal Supports in the CARES Act for CDBG, CSBG, LIHEAP, and other programs.
Housing in the CARES Act for ESG, HOPWA, Public Housing Operating Funds, and more.
CDBG Substantial Amendment #2 - Federal CARES Act Update 9/11/20
Emergency Shelter Assistance Programs
During the Covid-19 crisis, DHCD field offices will not be open to the public for in person applications.
To apply for Emergency Assistance and speak with a Homeless Coordinator please call (866) 584-0653
Guidance for Tenants: Eviction Moratorium in Massachusetts
The temporary moratorium on non-essential evictions and foreclosures expired on October 17, 2020.
If you are a tenant having trouble paying rent, or seeking additional housing resources, please reference the links below.