Housing Stabilization Program

The City of Cambridge COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Program serves to provide short term financial assistance to individuals and families in Cambridge who are experiencing housing instability due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This program represents the City of Cambridge’s second phase of COVID-19 related resource disbursement for housing assistance.

The program will be administered jointly by the City Manager’s Office through the Office of the Housing Liaison, the Department of Human Services Programs (DHSP) through the Multi-Service Center (MSC) and the Community Development Department (CDD).

The program will subsidize eligible households whose rent, mortgage, condominium fees, or cooperative carrying charges are more than 35% of their gross household income at time of application.

If you are unable to complete an application online, you may call 617-349-9797 to request assistance completing an application over the phone. Staff will make best efforts to return your call within 3 business days.

How to Apply

The City of Cambridge announced that it will begin accepting new applications on January 11, 2021 as part of the next round of funding for the COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Program. Residents who meet the below eligibility requirements, and who have not yet received funding from this program, may qualify for up to six months of a rent or mortgage stipend.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be Cambridge residents.
Applicants must be Cambridge Tenants, Owners of a Limited Equity Co-op or Owners of a home purchased subject to long term affordability restrictions administered by the City or other public agency.
Applicants’ total household income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) at the time of application. (see chart below)
Applicants must demonstrate that their housing costs (condo fee, cooperative carrying charge, mortgage or rent) are more than 35% of their gross household income, at the time of application.
Applicants must not have more than $75,000 in liquid assets.
Applicants must not have received funding from this program already.

2020 HUD 80% Area Median Income Chart (Monthly)

Household Size	1 Person	2 Person	3 Person	4 Person	5 Person
80% Area Median Income	$5,616.67	$6,416.67	$7,220.83	$8,020.83	$8,662.50

Examples

If a 2-bedroom unit's rent is $2,500 per month, and 35% of the applicant’s total household gross monthly income is $1,500, the tenant will pay $1,500 per month for 3 months, and the program would pay $1,000 per month for 3 months.
All applicants will be eligible for one 3 month renewal, total months that an applicant may receive assistance is 6 months.

Contact Information

If you are unable to complete an application online, you may call 617-349-9797 to request assistance completing an application over the phone. Staff will make best efforts to return your call within 3 business days.