Qualified households in Boston can get up to $4,000 per year in rental relief grants through a city of Boston fund that re-opened for applicants on Tuesday. Created last spring, the fund distributed more than $3 million to eligible Bostonians over six months. Now, with a state moratorium on evictions lifted as of Monday, Mayor Walsh says he is making $5 million in new funds available to those most vulnerable to losing their rental units to eviction.

"As we continue to face the COVID-19 pandemic, it's vital that we provide residents with the resources and supports they need to stay housed, especially with the statewide moratorium on evictions lifted," said Mayor Walsh.

To qualify for assistance, tenants must:
• Earn less than 80 p-ercent Area Median Income (AMI) or $90,650 for a family of four,
• Be financially impacted by COVID-19,
• Be renters in Boston as of March 1, 2020,
• Certify they do not receive a rental subsidy or have funds to meet their needs, and
• Not be a full-time student.

The Rental Relief Funds may be used for short-term rental assistance for up to three months and to supplement partial payments of rent. After verifying initial eligibility, the City of Boston will refer tenants to partner non-profit agencies to finalize eligibility. Once materials are verified and the calculation of assistance is determined, the landlord receives payment directly.

A person's immigration status is not asked during the Rental Relief Fund application process and receiving funds does not impact other financial assistance that a person may be already receiving.

Qualified residents interested in applying to this round of funding can submit their application online here.

Although the state moratorium on evictions and foreclosures ended on October 17, a federal ban through the CDC remains in effect until Dec. 31, but tenants are required to sign and submit a declaration to their landlord stating that they qualify for protection under the moratorium. The City of Boston has translated this declaration into 11 languages and posted it on the Office of Housing Stability website so eligible tenants can sign it and send it to their landlord.