Office of Housing Stability

Only a judge can evict you. A landlord cannot force you out by changing the locks or shutting off the utilities. Visit the "I'm having problems with my landlord" drawer for more information.

Applying for rental assistance now may temporarily stop your housing court case. Specifically, the court cannot “enter a judgment” against you or “issue an execution” before your financial assistance has been approved or denied.

If you can’t pay your rent, you should work with your landlord to seek financial assistance from:

• the City of Boston Rental Relief Fund or
• RAFT/ERAP funding.

If you received a Notice to Quit or Eviction Summons and Complaint from the Court, visit our "how to respond to an eviction" and "what to do when facing eviction". Those pages have more information about legal resources.

Every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., the Office of Housing Stability hosts a virtual clinic. You can complete our online form to RSVP for this clinic, where you can speak with attorneys and a landlord mediator.

Every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., the Office of Housing Stability hosts a virtual clinic. Complete our online form to RSVP for this clinic, where you can speak with attorneys and a landlord mediator.

• the City of Boston Rental Relief Fund (pays up to $17,000 in rental assistance and up to $2,000 in utilities assistance) or
• RAFT/ERAP funding.

You cannot be evicted if you have a rental assistance application pending.  Specifically, the court cannot “enter a judgment” against you or “issue an execution” before your financial assistance has been approved or denied.

Please call 2-1-1 or visit this website for more information about resources outside of the City of Boston.

If you have a housing voucher, please watch this housing recertification video. You can also view this housing recertification presentation.

Every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., the Office of Housing Stability hosts a virtual clinic. Complete our online form to RSVP for this clinic, where you can speak with attorneys and a landlord mediator.

A landlord cannot force you out by changing the locks or shutting off the utilities. Landlords must follow a legal process. Learn about the eviction process.

• move your belongings out of your apartment
• change your locks
• shut off your utilities, or 
• interfere with your use of the unit without permission from the court.

1. Call the police.
2. Call the Attorney General's Office at 617-727-8400 or fill out this form
3. Call the Office of Housing Stability at 617-635-4200 or 3-1-1 and ask for legal assistance.
4. If you are a city of Boston resident, fill out this form (available in English, Español, Português, 中文, Français, Kriolu Kabuverdianu, Kreyòl ayisyen, Soomaali, русский, Tiếng Việt, or عربى) in your preferred language and email it to OHSintake@boston.gov. 

• your apartment needs repairs or is in code violation, or
• your utilities have been shut off.

If you feel that you are being discriminated against, contact the Office of Fair Housing and Equity at 617-635-2500.

Visit this MassLegalHelp page for more information.

• Use Metrolist to search for affordable housing. 
• Fill out this Common Housing Application for Massachusetts Programs.
• Visit the Boston Housing Authority website.
• Watch this housing search workshop in English or Spanish.
• Visit HousingWorks for additional resources.
• If your income is below 80 percent AMI, the Office of Housing Stability has contracts with several nonprofits that are here to assist you with housing search. Email housingstability@boston.gov or call (617) 635-4200 for a direct referral.

• If you are a family that needs shelter tonight, follow the state's guide for families. 
• If you are an individual that needs shelter tonight, visit our services for the homeless page. 
• If you are a youth in need of assistance, visit our ending youth homelessness page.
• You can also call 3-1-1 for non-emergency help in Boston.
• You can call 2-1-1 or visit this website for help outside of Boston.
• If you're not eligible for emergency assistance, email housingstability@boston.gov or call 617-635-4200 for help.

• Emergency Foreclosure Prevention Fund, which offers up to $25,000 in household expense assistance, or
• the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF). This fund provides financial assistance to help homeowners who are behind on their mortgage payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.