RAFT in Massachusetts: The Program Landlords Should Know About

RAFT in Massachusetts: The Program Landlords Should Know About

Most landlords hear about RAFT for the first time when rent is already late. That's the wrong moment to learn about it. Understood early, RAFT is one of the most useful tools a Massachusetts landlord has.

What RAFT is

Residential Assistance for Families in Transition is the state's main emergency rental assistance program. It is funded through the annual state budget and administered by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities through regional agencies across Massachusetts. Eligible households facing a housing crisis can receive help with back rent, and in some cases move-in costs or utility arrears. Under FY26 policy, the benefit cap was $7,000 per household in a rolling 12-month period.

Payments go directly to the landlord, not the tenant.

Why it works in a landlord's favor

Real money, paid directly. RAFT payments go to the landlord, so funds are not routed through a tenant's hands.

Arrears get resolved. For smaller balances, RAFT can cover the full amount owed and clear the account.

Tenancies stay intact. Turnover is expensive: vacancy, repairs, marketing, and lost rent. A tenant who recovers from one bad month and keeps paying is worth far more than an empty unit.

Faster than court. Most applications get a response in under 30 days. Eviction cases take longer and cost more.

Litigation can pause. A pending application can put court proceedings on hold while the agency decides, which lowers the temperature for everyone.

It rewards early action. The smaller the balance, the more likely RAFT covers it. Landlords who engage early recover more.

What RAFT is not

RAFT is short-term help, not an ongoing subsidy. It is not a rent stipend, it is not Section 8, and it does not guarantee future rent. It solves a crisis. Pairing it with good property management keeps the tenancy on track afterward.

A legal point worth knowing

Chapter 151B prohibits discrimination against tenants because they receive housing assistance. State administering agencies caution that refusing assistance that would cover the full amount owed can, in some circumstances, violate the law. Landlords should consult counsel before turning down RAFT funds.

The BILDER Group takeaway

A tenant who falls behind is not automatically a lost cause, and a landlord who knows RAFT exists has more options than a notice to quit. BILDER Group handles the entire RAFT process for landlords, from start to finish, so owners recover rent without the paperwork burden.

Own rental property in Greater Boston? BILDER Group takes it from here.