Housing Assistance

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that many residents are facing serious issues paying rent and are concerned about eviction. Although the Massachusetts moratorium has ended, a federal moratorium still protects tenants and will remain in effect until March 31st. The CDC moratorium will prevent evictions for non-payment for qualified tenants who submit a written declaration to their landlord.

During this time, courts will accept filings and process eviction cases, and may enter judgments. However, they will not issue an order of execution (the court order that allows a landlord to evict a tenant) until after the expiration of the CDC order. The moratorium does not automatically protect you from eviction. You must meet certain income and vulnerability criteria and fill out a declaration form found here.

Filling out the declaration form is the most important step you can take to qualify for the moratorium. The following resources provide additional information about legal help, FAQs about the process, and more information on how to protect yourself both during and after the moratorium.

COVID-19 Eviction Diversion Initiative

The state has compiled a comprehensive set of resources to support tenants and landlords during the financial challenges caused by the pandemic. On their website, they provide helpful FAQs on how to find legal help as well as information about community mediation. Visit their Eviction Diversion Initiative site here.

COVID Eviction Legal Help Project (CELHP)

The COVID Eviction Legal Help Project (CELHP) was formed to provide urgently needed legal assistance in COVID-related eviction cases. CELHP will provide referrals, legal information, assistance and legal representation in Housing Court, and where capacity allows in District Courts and for tenants at risk of losing their subsidized housing. Six regional legal aid programs are available. The Northeast Legal Aid program assists residents in Essex and Northern Middlesex Counties in Northeastern Massachusetts. If you need assistance, call 978-458-1465 or visit www.northeastlegalaid.org/get-legal-help

MASSLEGALHELP

This resources compiles practical information about your legal rights in Massachusetts, including COVID-19 evictions

• See if you qualify for the national CDC eviction moratorium and learn what documentation you must provide to your landlord. www.masslegalhelp.org/covid-19/housing#appl
• Learn how to handle a range of different eviction scenarios: www.masslegalhelp.org/covid-19/housing/use-declaration
•  View helpful FAQs about the moratorium, including what to do if your landlord has proceeded with eviction regardless of you qualifying for the moratorium and instances in which the moratorium would not apply to you. www.masslegalhelp.org/covid-19/housing-cdc-eviction-moratorium#anyway
• Read through the process a landlord must take to evict you, and what your legal rights are to protect yourself either during or after the emergency: www.masslegalhelp.org/housing/lt1-pullout-12-evictions

Community Mediation Center

If you are facing a housing crisis due to COVID-19, FREE mediation services are available for tenants AND landlords. Trained mediators can help tenants and landlords find a solution that works for everyone to keep households in their home. Mediation can be used BEFORE an eviction is filed or DURING the legal process. For more information, call:
North Shore Community Mediation Center’s Housing Coordinator at 617-752-2143 or email at adriana@nsmediation.org.

Declaration Form

The most important step you must take is to determine that you are eligible for the moratorium and to complete the Declaration Form.

While there is currently no moratorium on foreclosures, there are resources available for those in need of help navigating the process.

US Department of Housing and Economic Development:

• If you are facing foreclosure and want the assistance of a housing counselor, locate a Foreclosure Avoidance Counselor in your area:
• For advice on buying a home, renting, default, foreclosure avoidance, credit issues or reverse mortgages, HUD sponsors housing counseling agencies throughout the country to provide free or low cost advice. Here is the list of housing counseling agencies in Massachusetts: https://apps.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm?webListAction=search&searchstate=MA. You may also call  (800) 569-4287 for an interactive voice system.

MASSHOUSING

If you’re having trouble paying your mortgage and are concerned about losing your home to foreclosure, MassHousing has a list of resources: https://www.masshousing.com/en/home-ownership/homeowners/foreclosure-pre...

OTHER HOUSING RESOURCES:

• LYNN HOUSING AUTHOIRTY AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT (LHAND): As the lead administrative agency for the Continuum of Care,  Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development (LHAND) located at 10 Church Street in Lynn, MA provides direct services and housing assistance. LHAND is also the Regional Residential Assistance For Families in Transition (RAFT) administration agency for Essex County.  RAFT is a state funded homelessness prevention program that gives short term financial assistance to low-income families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. RAFT helps families that are behind on rent, mortgage payment, or utility bills and also helps families who have to move but do not have enough money to pay for a security deposit, utility start up costs, or fist and last month’ rent. http://www.lhand.org

• NSCAP (North Shore Community Action Programs: https://www.nscap.org/our-programs/housing-and-homelessness-prevention/

FOOD RESOURCES DURING COVID 19

• ANCHOR FOOD PANTRY: https://www.anchorfoodpantry.org/
• CATHOLIC CHARITIES: Once per month, 6:30-10:30am www.ccab.org/node/195
• GOOD HOPE: 10-12pm, Thursday only. 47 Grove St,  Lynnfield   goodhopeinc.org
• MY BROTHER'S TABLE: Daily pick-up meals from Noon-6 pm. On weekends, to-go meals will be served from 2-4:30 pm. www.mybrotherstable.org/
• PROJECT BREAD: Project Bread has a FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 to connect families to resources in their communities, as well as to information about elder meal programs. Call Monday-Friday, 8-7pm and Saturdays 10-2pm. Information in 160 languages. www.projectbread.org/
• SALVATION ARMY: Mon–Fri 9-11 am, you may only attend ONCE every 30 days. Prepared box pick up. Be ready to provide your name, date of birth and number of people in your household. massachusetts.salvationarmy.org/MA/Lynn
• ST VINCENT DE PAUL: 9-11am daily. 11 Market Square, Lynn www.lynncatholic.org/ministries/food-resources/st-vincent-de-paul-society-st-josephs-parish
• SNAP/FOOD STAMPS: www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-snap-benefits-food-stamps
• COMMUNITY TEAMWORK: https://www.commteam.org/
• WIC/WOMEN INFANT CHILDREN: www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-the-women-infants-children-wic-nutrition-program

   

EMPLOYMENT/UNEMPLOYMENT SERVICES

• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE: www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-transitional-assistance
• DEPARTMENT OF UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE: www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-unemployment-assistance
• MASS HIRE (NORTH SHORE CAREER CENTER): masshire-nscareers.org/
• LEO INC.: leoinc.org
• COMMUNITY TEAMWORK: https://www.commteam.org/

HEALTHCARE

• LYNN COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE: www.lchcnet.org
• NORTH SHORE MEDICAL CENTER AT UNION HOSPITAL: nsmc.partners.org/unio

HEATING/UTILITY HELP

• LEO INC: leoinc.org
• NATIONAL GRID: www.nationalgridus.com/MA-Gas-Home/default
• COMMUNITY TEAMWORK: https://www.commteam.org/

LEGAL ASSISTANCE

• CHILDREN'S LAW SERVICE: www.clcm.org
• NORTHEAST LEGAL AID: www.northeastlegalaid.org

SENIOR SERVICES

• SWAMPSCOTT SENIOR CENTER: 781-596-8866
• GREATER LYNN SENIOR SERVICES: www.glss.net
• CENTERBOARD: centerboard.org
• LYNN SHELTER ASSOCIATION: www.lsahome.org

VETERANS AFFAIRS

• AMERICAN LEGION: www.legion.org
• LYNN DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN SERVICES: www.lynnma.gov/departments/veterans.shtml
• MA DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN SERVICES: www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-veterans-services