Assisting Families Experiencing Homelessness: Emergency Assistance Shelter and Benefits -- BBT Training

Materials from the October 3, 2023 Emergency Assistance Shelter and Benefits training, presented as part of the MLRI/MCLE Basic Benefits Training Series.

Training Materials

• About the Faculty
• Training Agenda
• Slides: Emergency Assistance Basic Benefits Training 2023
• 2023 Emergency Assistance Advocacy Guide
• Emergency Assistance Intake Packet
• Emergency Assistance Initial Eligibility Screening Interview

Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Emergency Assistance (EA) and HomeBASE information

• Emergency Assistance Family Shelter Resources and Data: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/emergency-assistance-ea-family-shelter-resources-and-data 
• Includes:
  • Emergency Assistance Regulations, Statutes and Notices
  • Emergency Assistance Placement Data
  • Quarterly Emergency Assistance Legislative Reports
  • Emergency Assistance Uniform Shelter Program Rules, Guidelines and Forms
  • Memorandum Of Understanding between DCF and DHCD regarding family reunification in shelter
  • Language Assistance for Staff
• Apply for Emergency Family Shelter: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-emergency-family-shelter-ea 
• Housing Stabilization Notices: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/housing-stabilization-notices 
• HomeBASE Information: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/homebase 
• DTA Non-Citizen Desk Guide: https://www.masslegalservices.org/content/dta-non-citizen-desk-guide

Other housing assistance

• Information about rent, utility and mortgage assistance: https://www.mass.gov/applying-for-rental-assistance-in-massachusetts-to-avoid-eviction 
• Information about RAFT, Residential Assistance for Families in Transition: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/residential-assistance-for-families-in-transition-raft-program 
• RAFT application portal: https://applyhousinghelp.mass.gov/s/?language=en_US&LanguageCode=en_US 
• How to apply for RAFT: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/how-to-apply-for-raft
• Town-by-town search for local Regional Administering Agencies (RAAs) and local Area Median Incomes (AMI): https://hedfuel.azurewebsites.net/raa.aspx