COVID-19: Housing response
We have information about housing resources in the City of Boston amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Whether you're a homeowner, renter, or someone experiencing homelessness, we have details below on how the City can help.
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Support for homeowners
Mortgage relief efforts are underway at the Boston Home Center to prevent as many foreclosures as possible in Boston’s at-risk homeowners.
Boston Home CenterThe City is working hard to ensure that homeowners are able to stay in their homes during this crisis. Please call or email for help.
If you need help, please contact the Boston Home Center at homecenter@boston.gov or call 617-635-4663 and press 3 for help.
You can also visit Making Home Affordable or call 888-995-4673 (HOPE) to find a housing counselor who can help you.
During the current health emergency, you may be eligible to defer your mortgage payment by as much as three months with no penalties. We have more information on the bank partnership online. Make sure to contact your lender.
PARTICIPATING BANKS:Bank of America
Berkshire Bank
Boston Firefighters Credit Union
Boston Private
Cambridge Trust
Century Bank
Citizens Bank
City of Boston Credit Union
Dedham Savings
Eastern Bank
Leader Bank
MassHousing
MHP - ONE loans
Mortgage Network, Inc.
Prime Lending
Salem Five Bank
Santander Bank
Support for renters
Eviction prevention efforts are underway at the Office of Housing Stability. We want to prevent as many evictions and displacements as possible for Boston’s at-risk renters.
Our office works to prevent displacement. It's our mission to promote housing preservation and stabilization. In that way, the Office of Housing Stability is one of the first of its kind in the nation.
Due to the current public health emergency, we are not able to accept walk-ins for counseling. We are responding to requests for help that are emailed to housingstability@boston.gov. You can also call 617-635-4200.
We thank you for your understanding as we work hard to ensure the health and safety of our staff while continuing to serve Boston residents.
If you're looking for information on affordable housing opportunities in Boston, Metrolist has information on lotteries, resales, and much more.
The state has closed the housing courts and has halted all non-essential evictions. If you receive a notice to quit, please contact the Office of Housing Stability for assistance by email to housingstability@boston.gov. You can also call 617-635-4200.
Rental Relief FundWhile the second round of the Rental Relief Fund has closed, the City is working on additional funding. Please visit our website for more information on the fund, and to sign up to receive alerts if new funding becomes available.
Homelessness support
At the directive of Mayor Walsh, the City of Boston’s housing, homelessness, public health, human services, and public safety agencies are working around the clock. We are supporting emergency shelters and day centers, community meal sites, and street outreach providers. We'll continue to offer essential services, support, and pathways off the streets for our vulnerable homeless neighbors in need.
For information about the City’s COVID-19 resources for the homeless, please visit our resources page:
The Supportive Housing Division is committed to providing services, support, and housing to those experiencing homelessness in Boston. If you are homeless or someone you know is homeless, there are organizations who can help. Visit our homeless services page for more information.
Formerly Homeless IndividualsThe City will continue to work with our nonprofit partners to provide support to formally homeless people now living independently. City staff are conducting wellness checks by phone to clients who have been housed through the City’s initiatives. New challenges such as access to food and medication, preparing for potential isolation, and access to medical care, are now being addressed.
If you or someone you know is in supportive housing and needs assistance, please contact neighborhooddevelopment.dnd@boston.gov.
Watch out for scams
The City of Boston has been made aware of recent attempts to defraud individuals receiving Economic Impact Payments from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Please read the information and guidance below.
IRS ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENT SCAMSThe IRS urges taxpayers to be on the lookout for scam artists. They're trying to use the economic impact payments as cover for schemes to steal personal information and money.
Remember, the IRS will not call, text you, email you or contact you on social media asking for personal or bank account information. This is true event for the economic impact payments.
Watch out for emails with attachments or links claiming to have special information about economic impact payments or refunds. For more information, please visit the IRS website.
Scammers may send fake stimulus checks. Signs of fraud include:
- checks for an odd amount (a real check won’t include cents), or
- one that requires you to visit a website or call a number to confirm.
Do not reply to texts or emails claiming that you can get your money faster by:
- sending personal information, or
- clicking on links that can infect your device with malware.
Hang up right away if you receive a call from a person claiming to be an IRS agent or anyone asking you to "verify" personal information to receive your stimulus check. They may also claim that you owe money and need to sign over your check.
Hang up a call or delete an email immediately if you receive an unsolicited request from someone claiming to represent a bank that requests account or social security information.
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