Peabody Properties, a group of award-winning property management and real estate firms, recently announced it has facilitated more than $1.9 million in rental assistance in keeping with its ongoing commitment to connecting residents with resources during this challenging time and ensuring successful residencies.

As part of the commonwealth’s emergency housing payment assistance services during COVID-19, Massachusetts has offered three programs (in addition to the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program, or ERAP):  RAFT (Rental Assistance for Families in Transition), ERMA (Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance), and SHERA (Subsidized Housing Emergency Rental Assistance).

In all, as of mid-September, Peabody Properties received $1,872,824.76 in RAFT funding, $20,108.00 in ERMA funding, and $22,099.09 in SHERA funding, for a year-to-date total of $1,915,031.85.

Kate Swope, director of resident services for Peabody Properties, worked with other state officials to frame the guidelines for the SHERA program, in part by reviewing best practices from RAFT and ERMA.  Unlike the RAFT and ERMA programs, however, SHERA is unique in its assistance toward subsidized housing.  

Individual tenants and homeowners are able to apply on their own for these funds, but the owner of a property can also apply on behalf of a tenant for SHERA funds if the tenant gives permission and is eligible to receive funding.

 “There are a number of different rental assistance programs, but the eligibility requirements and applications can be pretty complex,” said Swope.  “We’re so proud of our resident service coordinators and property managers for helping our residents navigate these guidelines to make sure that residents can stay stably housed and thrive during this time.

 “It’s been a real team approach,” Swope added.  “The property managers, the resident services coordinators, and the residents themselves have all worked really well together to make this happen.”