Reports

The Residential Assistance for Families in Transition program is one of the largest homelessness and eviction prevention programs in the commonwealth, stabilizing at-risk families before they enter the emergency shelter system. The program has proved to be effective, with a client return rate of 5 percent from 2015 and 2016: Of the 4,065 RAFT clients in FY 2016, 219 had sought RAFT aid in the prior fiscal year. This shows that the majority of clients use the aid to better their living situation without the need for more aid in the subsequent year. Because Massachusetts has the distinction of being the 7th most expensive place in the nation to rent an apartment, the RAFT program is needed now more than ever.