Administration briefs local officials on Eviction Diversion Initiative

Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy

Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy and representatives from the Department of Housing and Community Development briefed municipal officials yesterday on the governor’s new Eviction Diversion Initiative.

The goal of the new initiative is to keep tenants safely in their homes and to support the ongoing expenses of landlords once the Commonwealth’s pause on evictions and foreclosures expires on Saturday, Oct. 17.

The administration is making a total of $171 million available during the current fiscal year, with $112 million in new funding to support new and expanded housing stability programs during the remainder of the fiscal year.

The administration has launched a web portal for the program.

The webinar identified resources to support tenants and landlords during the financial challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the webinar, Kennealy was joined by Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Jennifer Maddox; Roberta Rubin, chief counsel for the Department of Housing and Community Development; and Amy Stitely, chief of programs for the Department of Housing and Community Development.

The program was moderated by Ryan Ambrose, policy development manager and legislative liaison at the DHCD.

Panelists responded to numerous questions from nearly 100 local officials from across the state.

• Eviction Diversion Initiative: Services Available and Preview of Upcoming Expansions (Oct. 19)
• Eviction Diversion Initiative briefing presentation (1.4M PDF)
• Link to Emergency Rental Assistance Program information
• Link to Housing Consumer Education Centers