Housing and Rental Assistance
The information contained on this page pertains to housing assistance programs. The Town of Walpole does not confirm the accuracy of program information contained therein, nor does it advocate for any program, State Agency, or organization over another. Please contact the Director of Community & Economic Development at pdeschenes@walpole-ma.gov or (508) 660-7352 with any questions, comments, concerns, assistance, etc.
Emergency Housing Assistance
Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities
The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) was established in 2023 to create more homes and lower housing costs for Massachusetts residents. EOHLC also distributes funding to municipalities, oversees the state-aided public housing portfolio, and operates the state's Emergency Family Shelter (EA) program.
Residential Assistance for Families in Transition
The Department of Housing & Community Development has made a new $5 million fund available under the RAFT program. The RAFT program helps keep eligible households who may face eviction, foreclosure, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies as a result of COVID-19. RAFT funding is distributed by Regional Administering Agencies. RAFT funding assists households of all sizes and configurations with financial assistance up to $4,000 per household to help preserve current housing or move to new housing.
Like the RAFT program the Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance Program (ERMA) can provide up to $4,000 for eligible household with rent or mortgage liabilities that were obtained after April 1, 2020 and/or with upcoming rent or mortgage payments. ERMA is intended to provide rental and mortgage assistance to low-income households who have been impacted by the ongoing pandemic and may not be eligible for the RAFT program.
Southern Middlesex Opportunity Council
For Walpole residents, applications to both RAFT and ERMA can be accessed through our Regional Administering Agency which happens to be the Southern Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC). For direct questions on the application process residents can reach out Monday-Friday, 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. by calling (508) 872-0765 or by emailing HCEC@smoc.org
Housing and Rental Assistance
The resources below come from non-profit and quasi-state agencies and aim to connect folks with affordable housing opportunities across Massachusetts.
Housing Navigator Massachusetts
501(c)(3) Nonprofit striving to create a quality database of affordable (income-restricted) rentals throughout Massachusetts showing listings wherever they can provide critical information on eligibility, waitlists, lotteries, and more – in terms that every user can understand.
Affordable Homes Listing - Sponsored by the Citizen's Housing & Planning Assocation (CHAPA)
Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA)'s mission is to encourage the production and preservation of housing that is affordable to low and moderate-income families and individuals and to foster diverse and sustainable communities through planning and community development.
MassHousing Homebuyer's Assistance - Link to assist First Time Homebuyers in Massachusetts
MassHousing is an independent, quasi-public agency charged with providing financing for affordable housing in Massachusetts. Aims to assist low- and moderate-income homebuyers and homeowners, and to developers who build or preserve affordable and/or mixed-income rental housing. Offers assistance programs for renters, downpayment assistance, and developers.
ONE Mortgage - Sponsored by MassHousing Partnership
ONE Mortgage, sponsored by MassHousing Partnership,offers you the comfort of knowing your mortgage is financially sustainable. MHP works with communities to create innovative policy and financing solutions that provide affordable homes and better lives for the people of Massachusetts. MHP is a statewide public nonprofit affordable housing organization that works to help increase the supply of affordable housing in Massachusetts.
Created by the Massachusetts state-sponsored mortgage products, MassHousing and MHP, My Mass Mortgage was designed to assist potential homeowners in the Homebuying process. From discovering what mortgage product would work best for your needs, to taking a first-time homebuyer course through finding and purchasing your new home, My Mass Mortgage is your guide for finding affordable and reliable state-sponsored mortgage products.
Housing Consumer Education Centers of Massachusetts
Housing Consumer Education Centers offer answers to a wide range of questions about all types of housing problems. Tenants, landlords, prospective buyers, and homeowners can access information designed to maximize housing stability, strengthen investments, and minimize disputes.
Utility Assistance
Payment Assistance - Assistance with monthly energy bills offered thru Eversource
Utility Bill Assistance - Massachusetts Resources for Utility Bill Assistance
HUD Utility Assistance - Help with Utility Bills specific to Massachusetts
Benefits.gov - Portal highlighting financial assistance programs offered by the federal and Massachusetts governments.
Housing and Energy Programs - DHCD's Energy Programs provide householdsassistance with paying a portion of heating bills, heating system repair and
replacement services, and home energy saving services.