Housing and Related Services Resources
July 9, 2009
This is the second issue of resources by topic shared by fellow information & referral specialists at the MNIP regional meetings.
MADIL Quick Guide: Housing and Related Services
Provides links to resources.
Mass Access: The Accessible Housing Registry
is an accessible web site that helps people with disabilities find affordable and accessible housing in Massachusetts. To access the database, call your local independent living center or visit website.
Massachusetts Housing Consumer Education Centers(HCEC)
HCEC s offer answers to a wide range of questions about all types of housing problems. Tenants, landlords, prospective buyers, and homeowners can access information designed to maximize housing stability, strengthen investments, and minimize disputes. Call 1-800-224-5124 or click on map on web link to locate a center near you.
RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition)
RAFT is a state-funded homelessness prevention program. RAFT gives short-term financial assistance to low-income families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development is in charge of the RAFT program. On the local level, RAFT is run by regional non-profit housing agencies (RNPs). Each RNP sets its own policies based on the needs of the region it serves.
The RNP s coordinate their efforts with the regional Housing Consumer Education Centers (HCECs) that provide screenings and referrals for emergency housing assistance.
RAFT funding won't be available till September 2009 through May 2010.
Starting July 1, 2009, Emergency Shelter Services will move from the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) to the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Emergency Assistance (EA) will be managed by the Division of Housing Stabilization at DHCD. The DHCD Homeless Coordinators will work out of DTA local offices. When you visit your DTA office, tell the receptionist whether you would like to see your DTA case manager (for SNAP , TAFDC , EAEDC and Employment Services), your DHCD homeless coordinator (for shelter benefits) or both. Go to DTA local offices or search by town on our Town / Area Cross Reference.
Caritas Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Housing
Caritas Communities is a leader in providing Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing for working individuals. Caritis owns and manages 25 houses, providing permanent affordable housing for over 600 men and women in Greater Boston.
(781)-843-1242
http://www.caritascommunities.org/properties.html
(Listing of properties)
Commonwealth Land Trust
Has been providing safe, affordable housing for low-income, mentally and physically disabled, the homeless, and people with HIV and AIDS.
1059 Tremont St, Suite 2
Roxbury Crossing, MA 02120
Contact: Steve Wilkins, Director of Marketing and Outreach
(617) 445-4075 x028
http://www.commonwealthlandtrust.org/index_files/rentals.htm(Rental Properties)
Some of Commonwealth Land Trust's SRO 's must have BHA (Boston Housing Authority) application
Boston Housing Authority
(617) 988-4200 (Application/Waiting List Status Line)
(617) 988-3400 (Public Housing Occupancy Department)
Homestart, Inc.
(617) 542-0338
Mission is to end homelessness. Homestart provides the following services: homelessness prevention, housing search, housing stabilization, representative payee services, training and technical assistance, rental assistance, housing subsidies, and vacancy clearing house to match homeless people with government funded housing units in Boston.
HUD Foreclosure Prevention Links
HUD has a listing of foreclosure prevention links
MassLegal Services for Foreclosure
Contact legal aid services in foreclosure cases.
Massachusetts Town Hall Directory
Call local town hall to find out about funds for prevention of homelessness.
HAP, Inc.
Renters, homebuyers, homeowners, and landlords all come to HAP for the latest information about housing opportunities, housing-related problems/questions, access to a wide variety of housing resources, and education about their rights and responsibilities. Counselors are available to meet or talk to you on the phone.
Located at 322 Main Street in Springfield
(413) 233-1500
Consumer Education Center: (413) 233-1600
Email: Luz Alvarado at lalvarado@haphousing.org
HAP's Western Massachusetts Foreclosure Prevention Center
The Center is a collaboration of 15 nonprofit agencies in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties working together to help homeowners avoid mortgage foreclosure.
Call HAP at 413-233-1622 during regular business hours for individual counseling assistance at an agency near you. HAP's Rental Assistance Programs:
HAP is perhaps best known for its rental assistance programs that have assisted thousands of families and individuals over the past 30 years. The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program and other programs allow families with very low incomes to be able to rent decent, safe housing at an affordable rent. Although the statewide waiting list is long, you are encouraged to apply if you believe that you may be eligible. Eligibility is primarily based on household income; you must also meet other program preferences. Call (413) 233-1530 for application information or stop by the HAP office during regular business hours.
For other waiting list information, call (413) 233-1520.
The Rental Assistance Department's general number is (413) 233-1510 Northampton office's number is (413) 584-8495. Emergency Shelter and Transitional Assistance
HAP has operated Prospect House, an emergency shelter in Springfield for homeless families. In 2009, HAP expanded its capacity to help homeless families, leasing 47 apartments in various locations. Families must be homeless, and DTA eligible; referrals are accepted through the Department of Transitional Assistance. Prospect House can be reached directly at (413) 737-5518.
H.O.M.E. (Homeowners Options for Massachusetts Elders)
1-800-583-5337
H.O.M.E. is dedicated to protecting the equity of low and moderate income elder homeowners. As an independent third party, H.O.M.E. receives no fees whatsoever for any loans generated. H.O.M.E. 's mission is to conserve and protect the equity of low/mod-income elder homeowners so they 'age in place'.
To be eligible you must meet the following guidelines:
- Massachusetts homeowner with only one residence
- 60 years of age or older (50, if in jeopardy of losing your home)
- Annual income of less than $28,000 individual / $34, 000 couple
Nueva Esperanza
Community based organization in Holyoke active in promoting development in housing, economics and human services. The organization's primary interest of providing affordable housing has expanded widely to include: neighborhood economic development, health and human service programs, development of community leadership, promotion of accessible community education and several youth empowerment programs.
401 Main Street
Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 533-9442
Springwell Adult Family Care Program
The Adult Family Care (AFC) Program (also known as Adult Foster Care Program) is a residential program for people age 16 and older who due to medical, physical, cognitive or psychiatric problems cannot safely live alone. Consumers either live in the homes of skilled caregivers called Care Providers, or a Care Provider moves into the consumer's home.
For additional information, call (617) 926-4100.
MNIP Database Training
There may be some people on your staff who would benefit from our MNIP training. It includes the use of the databases on-line and the use of all the resources to which you have access as MNIP members. If you or anyone at your organization would like to be trained for the first time, or would like a refresher on using MNIP resources, please contact Angie Aguirre at Angie.Aguirre@neindex.org
Joining the MNIP
If your agency is not yet a member of the MNIP and is interested in joining, or if you know of an agency that is interested, please direct it to our application page. There is no charge for membership in the MNIP . Members receive the MNIP newsletter; have access to a members’ site with electronic tools to facilitate provision of information and referral; and participate at periodic trainings and conferences. Any organization, which provides information and referral for people with disabilities at no cost to the public, is eligible for membership. If you have any questions, please contact Bob Bass at Robert.Bass@umassmed.edu
MNIP Funders
New England INDEX and the MNIP are funded by: Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission , and Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
Getting in Touch with INDEX Staff
Robert Bass
Director
(781) 642-0246
Robert.Bass@umassmed.edu
Angie Aguirre
Special
Projects Assistant
(781) 642-0289
Angie.Aguirre@neindex.org
Vadim Droznin
Network Administrator
Vadim.Droznin@neindex.org
Jonathan Gottlieb
Office Assistant
Jonathan.Gottlieb@neindex.org
Kathryn Gregorio
Database Consultant
Kathryn.Gregorio@neindex.org
Audrey Huntley
Information
Acquisition Coordinator
(781) 642-0286
Audrey.Huntley@neindex.org
Becky Olsen
Information Specialist / Office Administrator
(781) 642-0026
Rebecca.Olsen@neindex.org
Dave Owens
Web & Database Developer
Dave.Owens@neindex.org
Viet Do
Web & Database Developer
Viet.Do@neindex.org
John Rochford
Director of Technology
(781) 642-0255
John.Rochford@neindex.org
About INDEX
New England INDEX is a program of Commonwealth Medicine, the University of Massachusetts Medical School, located at the Shriver Center in Waltham, Massachusetts.
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