RAFT assistance ??

Submitted by ApprehensivePair7113 t3_10ggenu in massachusetts

Hey all, anyone have experience with RAFT? I recently learned about it and seem to be eligible according to the portion of the application I've made it through. My question is this: I am staying with a family member that rents their apartment and sharing a room with my child. A requirement is verification of eligible housing crisis. I'm wondering how I can go about providing this when I am not the one leasing the place? Some examples included an eviction or notice to quit, but I did select the option stating I don't have a current lease and received notice that I need to leave. Would a notarized letter from the family member stating I need to leave and why suffice?

TIA!

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JB_Fletcher80 t1_j54qvig wrote

A letter from the family member stating that you need to leave would be an eligible housing crisis for you to receive assistance with start up costs (First, Last, and Security) to move to a new unit.

If you are not on the lease and have not received a Notice to Quit, you would not be eligible to receive assistance with rent arrears if you owe at your current place. All payments are made directly to the landlord as well, so if they are not aware you are currently staying with the family member, that could also raise other issues for them.

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ApprehensivePair7113 OP t1_j5554rd wrote

Thank you!! I don't owe anything my family member just needs to move to a smaller place. I appreciate your help :)

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Quirky_Butterfly_946 t1_j52sn42 wrote

While I am no expert, you are technically couch surfing even though you share a room with your child. The renter can say that you cannot stay permanently and need to find a place of your own. If you can speak with someone who is running the RAFT program they will tell you what your options are regarding getting verification. I hope you can find a place soon

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Maleficent-Guess8632 t1_j53tobt wrote

Real Question is do you really have a housing crisis.

If you really do have one, you draft a letter stating you are subleasing a room from this person , and you aren’t on the lease for that apartment, now due to your income and expense situation you can’t afford to pay for subleasing this unit, that the person you subletting from is asking you to leave.

Have the person draft up a letter with the amount of monthly rent amount , the total that you owed , and the date that you need to leave.

This will work. I have done it.

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ApprehensivePair7113 OP t1_j554zzb wrote

Yes I really do, I'm not one to take advantage of the system. My family member needs to move and downsize for financial reasons, so from 2 bed to 1 bed place. Thank you for your help!!

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