Page 12 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 Baker announces federal funding through Eviction Diversion Initiative O n April 2 the Baker-Polito Administration announced that more than $400 million in new federal funding from the Consolidated Appropriations Act is now available through the Administration’s Eviction Diversion Initiative (EDI). First launched in October 2020, EDI consists of a comprehensive set of resources that serves individuals, families and landlords in crisis with financial aid, free and low-cost legal aid and community mediation to keep people in their homes. With a focus on preserving housing stability, the Baker-Polito Administration has distributed approximately $80 million in state rental assistance to more than 18,000 households since the beginning of the State of Emergency. As a result of extensive coordination, these efforts have contributed to the mitigation of the anticipated crisis in evictions. Information tracked by the Massachusetts Trial Court shows a total of 626 executions issued in residential eviction cases from October 18, 2020, through March 28, 2021, for cases filed after the state moratorium. This represents a reduction of nearly 85 percent compared to the number of executions issued in residential eviction cases during the same span of time one year prior. The infusion of more than $400 million in federal resources, which is expected to be supplemented by hundreds of millions in additional dollars through the American Rescue Plan Act, allows the Commonwealth to provide lengthier relief to low-income renters and landlords in crisis while implementing system efficiencies and processes for the future. This additional funding and the flexibility created by federal regulations enable the Commonwealth to expand aid to more households, to provide deeper and lengthier assistance to households and to help households with utility payments. The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has been investing heavily in and working closely with regional administering agencies (RAAs) and the Rental Assistance Processing (RAP) Center to incorporate the new Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funding into existing delivery service models for the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) and Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) programs. “The ongoing public health crisis and the economic consequences created by COVID-19 have made the importance of stable, affordable housing a clear and vital component of our strategy to keep households safe and healthy,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This major infusion of resources enables us to extend and strengthen our Eviction Diversion Initiative, which supports both tenants and landlords in crisis to keep more families safely housed. With more than $400 million available, we are pleased this funding will enable us to respond to the immense need for support right now, and make long-term investments in our homelessness prevention programs.” “We are pleased to provide additional funding to the Eviction Diversion Initiative to further offset the impacts of COVID-19. The pandemic has disproportionately affected lower income communities and neighborhoods, and this new funding will provide longer term support for households as we continue to work toward recovery,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “In keeping with our goal of meeting residents where they are, these important resources will be more accessible to our affordable housing providers and families eligible for shelter, and will shield even more families from homelessness during this unprecedentBAKER | SEE PAGE 13
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