Tag Archives: RAFT Applications

RAFT Application Resources

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RCAP Solutions serves as the regional Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC) for Worcester County and administers financial assistance through the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program. This program can provide eligible households with funding that can be used to help stay in current housing, obtain new housing, or otherwise avoid becoming homeless.

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Important Information for Worcester Residents:

Effective immediately, residents of the city of Worcester who apply for RAFT funding will be processed through the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, Inc. (CMHA). As a result, RCAP Solutions will not be able to provide application updates to any clients residing in Worcester. This includes clients who may have received application assistance from RCAP Solutions.

If you reside in Worcester and are unable to complete the online application or need other RAFT application assistance, please contact CMHA at hc@cmhaonline.org or call 508-752-5519, ext. 172. You may also visit: https://www.cmhaonline.org/raft-erma-home

If you are unsure of which agency services your community, please visit this link: https://hedfuel.azurewebsites.net/

Application Assistance:

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts now requires all renter and landlord applications and documents to be uploaded directly into their system by visiting this link: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/how-to-apply-for-raft

RCAP Solutions is no longer allowed to accept documents by email or to upload them for applicants. Renters, homeowners, and landlords must set up their accounts online using the above link.

Resources for Tenants:

If you encounter any problems while applying for RAFT funds, please download the Housing Assistance Application Reference Guide for tenants applying for housing assistance through the Massachusetts Emergency Housing Payment Assistance Portal: https://www.mass.gov/doc/tenant-portal-raft-reference-guide/download

Resources for Landlords and Property Owners:

How Landlords Can Apply for RAFT Information Page: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/how-landlords-can-apply-for-raft

Landlord and Property Manager Intro to New RAFT Application Portal Presentation: https://www.mass.gov/doc/landlord-and-property-manager-intro-to-new-raft-application-portal/download

Landlord and Property Manager Intro to New RAFT Application Portal Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou8nN2fW8pA

Housing Assistance Application Reference Guide for Landlords and Property Managers receiving payments through the Massachusetts Emergency Housing Payment Assistance Portal: https://www.mass.gov/doc/landlord-portal-reference-guide/download

These documents are found on the RAFT Public Resource and Training Portal: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/raft-public-resource-and-training-portal

If you need access to a computer to apply, locate your local library here: https://libraries.state.ma.us/libraries/search

For more information about the RAFT program please visit: (includes eligibility, timeline from application to award/denial, and how to check which agency is processing your application) https://www.mass.gov/service-details/residential-assistance-for-families-in-transition-raft-program

Finally, if you are unable to access or submit an online application, please contact RCAP Solutions at 978-630-6771 or HCEC@rcapsolutions.org for assistance.

Meet the RCAP Solutions Housing Experts

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RCAP Solutions “Housing Help” Webinar Series

In the spring of 2021, RCAP Solutions hosted a 3-part Zoom webinar series for tenants, homeowners, landlords, and all other interested parties. Attendees heard from the experts about our robust housing programs including; emergency rental/mortgage assistance, subsidized housing options, and much more. Participants had the ability to ask questions and the presentations were made available afterwards on our YouTube channel.

Watch the recordings below!

Part 1: Webinar for Landlords & Property Owners

Part 2: Webinar for Tenants & Homeowners

Part 3: Webinar for the General Public

Worcester Office is Closed

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RCAP Solutions’ Worcester Office is currently closed.

*Update: RCAP Solutions will re-open to staff on Wednesday, March 25. At that time we will continue to be closed to public visits, but will be available via email, phone, and fax. We ask that clients be patient as all return messages and paperwork from the previous week will be completed on a first come, first served basis. 

It was brought to our attention that a client who visited the office  later tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, the leadership team made the decision to close until further notice.

We are monitoring the situation daily. Decisions are being made based on the most current information available and our policies and response to this situation are subject to change without notice. Our concern is for the health and safety of staff and clients.

The team will continue to assess the situation and will make a decision as to when we feel it is safe to reopen the office.

Please check our website and social media pages for additional information.

If you are a housing client: Please note that cases and files are not being processed until it is safe for staff to return to the office. Paperwork can still be submitted and we will resume processing when we return. For more information on program and contact information, please visit: www.rcapsolutions.org/closing/

This message is regarding our Worcester Office Only and does not affect our Community Resources Services or Staff.

We appreciate your attention and apologize for any inconvenience it may cause.

Thank you. Be safe and be well everyone.

*Due to the constantly evolving COVID-19 crisis this announcement may be subject to change without notice.

RCAP Solutions Closed to the Public

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RCAP Solutions is Closed to the Public Until Further Notice.*

This decision was made with an abundance of caution and in the interest of protecting the health and safety of our staff and clients. During this time, the office will not be open to the public for face to face meetings. There will be no RAFT hours for onsite intakes, housing workshops, first time homebuyer classes or any in-person meetings during this time. In order to continue to serve our clients to the best of our ability, staff will still be available via email, phone, and fax.

Please note: Email is the best means of contact for quicker response.

Housing Programs:

  • Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC): Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT), First Time Home Buyer Counseling and Education, or other housing counseling assistance, please email: HCEC@rcapsolutions.org, documents can be faxed to: 508.365.6008
    • Financial Assistance: Difficulty paying your rent? There are financial assistance programs available to help. RCAP Solutions administers financial assistance programs which can provide eligible households with funding that can be used to help stay in current housing, obtain new housing, or otherwise avoid becoming homeless.

  • HomeBASE and SafeStep Clients: Please contact your case workers directly.

Additional housing information can be found here: www.rcapsolutions.org/individual-and-family-resources/.

Our phone number is: 800.488.1969 and staff is available Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.

The Worcester office is closed from 12:00 pm – 1:00 PM each day for lunch.

Senior, Disabled & Family Housing:  

  • Senior, Disabled & Family Housing Applications can be found here: www.rcapsolutions.org/housing-applications/, documents can be faxed to: 978.630.2751
  • All RCAP Solutions’ managed communities are closed to the public at this time. Access is limited to caregivers and aides, and essential visitors, defined as those bringing necessary supplies, groceries and medications to a resident, as well as property operations.
  • We strongly recommend residents:
    • Remain on campus and not visit public places;
    • Maintain social distancing (at least 6 feet) at all times.

Community Resources:

  • Technical Assistance Providers are available for phone and remote web-based meetings. Staff travel to meetings is postponed during this time period and any previously scheduled face-to-face meetings will now be conducted remotely.
  • Updates will be provided for training and workshops scheduled in all our states and territories, with either links for online workshops or postponement plans. Our National partner has negotiated Training Contact Hours for web-based trainings.

We appreciate your attention and support of this temporary precaution and apologize for any inconvenience it may cause.

*Subject to change without notice due to rapidly changing environment.

RAFT Applications Reinstated

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RCAP Solutions is now taking RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition) applications.

RAFT is a program funded by MA Department of Housing and Community Development that can provide eligible families in our service area with financial assistance to help prevent homelessness.

Our Housing Consumer Education Center will provide intake for applicants at our Worcester Office each Tuesday and Friday from  9am-11am at 12 East Worcester Street, 2nd floor, Worcester.

NO walk-in hours will be conducted outside of the Worcester Office.

Appointments are preferred, but not required for walk-ins.

Please visit our website @ www.rcapsolutions.org for the most recent updates.