{"id":1548,"date":"2020-11-17T17:34:42","date_gmt":"2020-11-17T17:34:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bowditch.com\/bowditchrealestateblog\/?p=1548"},"modified":"2022-05-19T12:39:38","modified_gmt":"2022-05-19T16:39:38","slug":"massachusetts-commits-171mm-for-programs-to-help-tenants-and-landlords-impacted-by-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bowditch.com\/bowditchrealestateblog\/2020\/11\/17\/massachusetts-commits-171mm-for-programs-to-help-tenants-and-landlords-impacted-by-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Massachusetts Commits $171MM for Programs to Help Tenants and Landlords Impacted by COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"

As we have previously reported, in March the Commonwealth instituted an eviction and foreclosure moratorium which, among other things, provided a financial backstop for landlords effected by their tenants\u2019 inability to make rent payments because of the economic impact of COVID-19.\u00a0 Among other things, the moratorium (1) required mortgage holders to extend mortgage terms for the months that any borrowers missed payments, and (2) prohibited lenders from charging late fees or providing negative reports to credit agencies. Read MA Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development Issues Regulations and Guidance on COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium<\/a> for background.<\/p>\n

The Massachusetts moratorium expired on October 17th<\/sup>, leaving many landlords facing tough choices about commencing eviction proceedings and lots of tenants facing potential displacement.\u00a0 As previously noted, the Federal Government, specifically the CDC, instituted its own eviction moratorium on September 4, 2020.\u00a0 The CDC moratorium is still in place, but it is far less comprehensive than its Massachusetts predecessor and it lacks any protections for landlords. Read Massachusetts Eviction and Foreclosure Moratorium Expires and is Replaced by a More Limited CDC Order<\/a> for background.<\/p>\n

The predicted fall resurgence of COVID-19 is in full swing in Massachusetts and the economic outlook continues to look weak for many food service, retail and other service industry businesses and downright bleak for people now or formerly employed by these businesses.\u00a0 The status of any direct stimulus assistance from Washington is uncertain generally, and certainly at least a couple of months away.\u00a0 As the winter months set in, the office of the Governor, the legislature, the courts, and public health officials are deeply concerned about a predicted forthcoming wave of evictions; perhaps only slightly less concerned than tenants who are unable to pay their rent.\u00a0 To flatten the anticipated curve of evictions, Governor Baker announced that the Commonwealth is making $171 million available to foster housing stability.<\/p>\n

The $171 million is broken down across several established programs\u2026<\/p>\n