Housing Help
Did you receive an eviction notice or a summons to court? Are you behind on rent or your mortgage and worried?
Don't panic, and don't leave. You have rights, and help is available. Contact an organization in your area below for free information, support, and help.
You do not have to leave your home if you receive a 14-day or 30-day notice to quit (also called a notice to vacate). These notices usually come from a landlord or a law office. They do NOT mean you have to leave — they only mean the landlord now has the option to start an eviction case in court. If that happens, you'll still have chances to resolve the situation and stay in your home. Please reach out to any of the community group below to receive support. Don’t see a group in your region contact us at info@homesforallmass.org to help guide you.
Community Groups that can help you !
| Region | Organization | Language | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | City Life/Vida Urbana | English / Spanish | 617-934-5006 (English) / 617-397-3773 (Spanish) Virtual meetings Tue 6:30pm (English) / Wed 6:30pm (Spanish) on Facebook |
| Boston | New England Community Project | English | For RAFT help: 617-265-7100 or Benefits@necp.org |
| Boston | Chinese Progressive Association | Chinese | 617-357-4499 |
| Somerville | Community Action Agency of Somerville | Portuguese / Spanish | 617-623-7370 |
| Chelsea | La Colaborativa | Spanish / English | 617-889-6080 |
| Lynn | Lynn United for Change | English / Spanish | 781-346-9199 |
| Brockton | Brockton Worker Alliance | Spanish / Cape Verdean Creole / Haitian Creole | (774) 480-4737 826 Belmont St, Brockton, MA 02301 brocktonworkersalliance@gmail.com |
| Easthampton | Easthampton Tenants Union | English | Meets Thursdays, 5–6:30pm, Easthampton City Hall (50 Payson Ave) easthamptontenantsunion@gmail.com |
| Northampton | Northampton Tenants Union | English | northamptontenants@gmail.com |
| Worcester | HFA Mass Field Organizer (Jonathan) | English | jonathan@homesforallmass.org |
| Springfield & Western MA | Springfield No One Leaves / Springfield Nadie Se Mude | English / Spanish | 413-342-1804 info@SpringfieldNoOneLeaves.org |
| Everywhere else in MA | General support | English / Spanish | Join a virtual session by CLVU, find the closest organization above, use this guide, or email us at info@homesforallmass.org for support |
Information
Help paying your rent, mortgage, or utility bills
Tenants behind on rent or utilities, and homeowners behind on their mortgage, may qualify for help through the RAFT program. You can qualify regardless of immigration status, and across a wide range of incomes.
[Apply for RAFT] [More info about RAFT
Information about the eviction process and your rights
Free legal help is available — find assistance here. You can only be evicted after a court process where you get to present your side and show why you shouldn't be evicted. You have rights no matter your immigration status, even if you're behind on rent. There are many steps in this process, and real opportunities to reach an agreement that lets you stay in your home.
[Find free legal help] [Learn about the eviction process]
Protect your legal rights with Answer and Discovery forms
If you receive a summons to court, it's extremely important to fill out "Answer" and "Discovery" forms and send them to the court before the deadline — usually well before your first court date.
The Answer form lets you tell your side of the story and protect your legal defenses. The Discovery form lets you request information you need to defend yourself in court. Filing both can make a real difference in your case.
Get help completing these from one of the organizations above, or your local legal aid office.
If you can't get direct help, you can use this free online tool, or download the forms yourself:
Post-foreclosure Discovery form (if you're facing eviction after a foreclosure, use the regular Answer form together with this one)
Related guides
Facing a rent hike or a no-fault eviction? Check out How to Fight a Rent Hike, a practical guide from the Easthampton Tenants Union covering your rights, how to document your case, and what happens at each stage.
[Download the guide →]
(Foreclosure guide — coming soon)
Legal advice
This website does not provide legal advice. Every case is different — talk to a lawyer who specializes in Massachusetts housing law.
Remember: in the United States, a notario is not the same as a lawyer and is not legally allowed to give legal advice.