Housing Programs and COVID-19 resources
This month, learn about COVID-19 housing resources, our housing programs for Wellfleet residents and who to contact.
Here is who to contact:
Call the Wellfleet Housing Info hotline at (508) 419-4490 to get more information about housing programs in Wellfleet and service referrals based on your needs.
The Homeless Prevention Council provides ongoing professional counseling and guidance to families and individuals who need help with all things housing including access to state and local housing programs, negotiation for rent and mortgage payments and emergency shelters. They have experienced case managers to assist with applications for housing, fuel and other resources.
Please note the Homeless Prevention Council offices may be closed to the public during the COVID-19 crisis, so you must call the number above to speak with a case manager.
Do you need emergency housing assistance during COVID-19?
Are you having trouble paying your rent or mortgage because of the COVID-19 pandemic? Have you lost your job or lost income during the Covid-19 health crisis? Are you at risk of becoming homeless? You may be eligible to receive help with paying your rent or mortgage. The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) offers two programs that can assist low-income households.
The Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) and Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) programs may provide income-eligible households with up to $10,000to pay overdue or future rent or mortgage costs.
Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) Program
The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, foreclosure, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies caused by loss of income, increase in expenses, or both. RAFT helps all kinds of households by providing up to $10,000 per household to help preserve current housing or move to new housing.
Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance Program (ERMA)
ERMA can provide rental and mortgage assistance to low-income households who have been impacted by the crisis and may not be eligible for RAFT. This program is available for households within the 50-80% range of Area Median Income (AMI). Like RAFT, ERMA may provide up to $4,000 for eligible households to assist with rent or mortgage arrears accrued after April 1, 2020 and/or with upcoming rent or mortgage payments.
Check the table below, displaying the Barnstable County income limits by household size, to see if you meet the income criteria for either of these programs.
Source: mass.gov
Do you need help paying rent?
Do you have a tenant who needs help paying rent?
The Wellfleet Housing Authority has two types of rental assistance, both administered by the Homeless Prevention Council. There is a Rental Assistance Program and an Emergency Rental Assistance Program that provides financial assistance to year-round Wellfleet residents. The Rental Assistance Program is a current ongoing program that allows families and individuals to maintain affordable housing. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program is in response to loss of income that households face due to COVID-19. This program is funded through 2021.
Do you need homeowner resources and information?
There are additional resources available for homeowners concerned about paying mortgage due to the coronavirus national emergency.
Contact your mortgage servicer (the company where you send your monthly payments) as soon as possible to let them know about your current circumstances.
Visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website to learn about homeownership protections through The Federal CARES Act.
A forbearance means that the monthly mortgage payments that you would otherwise have been required to pay to your lender/servicer are not required to be made for a period of 180 days.
If your mortgage was not in default prior to the forbearance period, the mortgage will not go into default by reason of your missed monthly mortgage payments during the 180-day forbearance period.
A forbearance does not mean that these monthly mortgage payments are forgiven. You still owe the mortgage loan payments, but they will be added to the end of the mortgage loan term
HELPFUL LINKS:
Video: CARES Act Mortgage Forbearance: What You Need to Know
FHFA: Mortgage Help for Homeowners Impacted by the Coronavirus
Federal Housing Finance Agency: No Lump Sum Required at the End of Forbearance
How to Find Out if Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac Owns Your Mortgage
Do you need information about food resources?
Lower Cape Outreach Council (LCOC) sponsors 8 food pantries on the lower Cape and makes monthly food distributions to local Councils on Aging, WIC and Cape Cod Children’s Place. First time users should register with the Lower Cape Outreach Council by calling 508-240-0694.
If you were laid off or lost income and need help putting food on the table, SNAP food assistance is here to help. SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps), gives individuals and families money to buy food at grocery stores, convenience stores, and certain farmers markets. You can apply for SNAP any time you need help.
Do you need information about childcare?
If you need assistance with childcare, there are local scholarships available. Cape Cod Children’s Place can help you find information and contacts for a wide range of support services including the Wellfleet Childcare Subsidy Program. This is childcare funds for Wellfleet families with children aged birth – 5 years. Funded by the Town of Wellfleet.
Source: capecodchildrensplace.com