Medford Partnership Offers Rent Assistance During Pandemic

MEDFORD, MA — Action for Boston Community Development, in partnership with the city of Medford and with funding through the Community Preservation Act, is offering temporary financial assistance to eligible Medford residents struggling to pay rent due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Residents can apply for emergency assistance by contacting ABCD’s Housing and Homelessness Prevention department at 617-348-6347 or housing@bostonabcd.org. Eligibility requirements include an annual income of 80 percent AMI or less. (Table below.)

"ABCD is here to provide crucial rental assistance to help Medford residents get through these dire times," John J. Drew, president and CEO of ABCD, said in a statement. "Our most vulnerable neighbors are especially affected by the economic meltdown we’re experiencing, which was unthinkable until COVID-19 arrived."

Despite a stay on evictions implemented by Gov. Charlie Baker April 20, rents will still need to be paid either monthly or cumulatively when the moratorium is lifted.

"ABCD brings an excellent portfolio of services and a record of working successfully and collaboratively with the City of Medford," said Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said in a statement. "I appreciate their efforts to help those who are struggling through no fault of their own."

ABCD is an anti-poverty agency that each year provides more than 100,000 low-income residents with the tools and resources needed to transition from poverty to stability and from stability to success.

Through offices in Boston and Malden, ABCD's Housing and Homelessness Prevention department supports people in their housing search and provides housing counseling to help prevent families from becoming homeless. The organization provides assistance to help people navigate the maze of paperwork and procedures that comes with subsidized housing.