COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Program Accepting New Applications

On January 11, the City of Cambridge began accepting new applications for the next round of funding for the COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Program.

Launched in July 2020, 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 continuation of COVID-19 related resource disbursement for housing assistance. To date, $1.2 million has been committed, supporting 225 Cambridge households with six months of assistance. This program is being continued with the support of additional CARES Act funds.

“The City’s Housing Stabilization Fund has been a financial lifeline for many Cambridge residents," said Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui and City Manager Louis A. DePasquale in a joint statement. "This next round of funding opening on January 11 will provide access to the additional $628,000 from Community Development Block Grant and CARES Act money we have dedicated to this program. To date, the City has committed more than $13.3 million to support individuals and families, small businesses, and non-profits in our community, who are experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic.”  

Residents who meet the following 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.

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;
• 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;

The program will continue to be administered jointly by the Cambridge City Manager’s Office through the Office of the Housing Liaison, the Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) through the Multi-Service Center (MSC), and the Community Development Department (CDD). Residents can apply beginning January 11, 2021 online or they may request assistance in applying over the phone by calling 617-349-9797.

For more information, visit www.cambridgema.gov/housingfund.