Reports

In response to the COVID-19 health emergency, local governments across Massachusetts are seeking ways to help residents who have lost their jobs or have had experienced significant reductions in their income. Housing organizations worked together to provide information and technical assistance to municipalities through webinars and their web sites. The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP), and Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) created a survey instrument to get information from local governments about an emerging trend – locally funded Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) programs. Included as an appendix is a table of contact information from over 60 respondents so that program operators and municipalities can share information about their programs and lessons they are learning. During the survey response time, many communities were considering programs and others had just established the programs. This report includes data collected between May 8, 2020 and May 26, 2020.