COVID-19 -Financial Recovery Resources

HOUSING:

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is providing pathways to housing resources that will mitigate some of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Visit the website at COVID-19 Housing Resources and Guidance | Mass.gov  for the most current information on State resources and guidance. 

Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program and the recently added Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance Program (ERMA) can provide short-term financial assistance for rent and mortgage, utilities, and more to families who have suffered financial hardship due to loss wages or other impacts. Apply to the regional housing resource center listed below for assistance in Middleborough.

NeighborWorks Housing Solutions 169 Summer Street, Kingston, MA 02364 (781) 422-4208, (800) 242-0957 Fax: (781) 585-7483 Email: HCEC@nhsmass.org
Visit their web site NeighborWorks. Information on their pre-application is found at https://www.waitlistcheck.com/MA2977-1917.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth is also providing rent assistance to low-income qualified Middleborough residents who have suffered job loss or wage reduction due to the pandemic.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and HFH is on a fast track to award funds as soon as possible (deadline of 7/22). Please visit www.hfhplymouth.org/covidrelief.html. 

And visit the Commonwealth’s website for RAFT to learn more about eligibility.

BUSINESS Owners and employees:

In addition to the Town's Micro-enterprise grants, other available resources include:

RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION FUND

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is awarding funding through the Restaurant Revitalization Program to restaurants, bars, and other similar places of business that serve food or drink. The purpose of this funding is to provide support to eligible entities that suffered revenue losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023. 

Click the links below for information on the program and how to apply:

 Restaurant Revitalization Fund (sba.gov)

SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund::

Restaurant Revitalization Funding Program Guide as of April 28, 2021 (sba.gov)

Other Business relief:  Assistance to business is currently being offered through low-interest loan programs and grant programs offered by the Small Business Administration, along with some debt-relief options. It is important to follow the progress of the programs through the Commonwealth website or through the Small Business Administration webpages as programs are added or expanded with changing deadlines.. Some applications are taken through lending institutions as well as financial tech companies. Programs can be accessed at SBA-COVID-19. The Commonwealth can answer your questions on business relief through the State and other contributors at Mass.gov’s Resources and Guidance for Businesses.

 Unemployment: The federal government and the Commonwealth have released multiple funding streams of financial assistance to aid employees and businesses in the attempt to remain solvent in the face of the epidemic. Unemployment benefits, topped with an additional $300 stimulus per week are available to those who apply. The extra stimulus is slated to last through September 2021.  Answers to unemployment questions and the links to apply can be found at Unemployment.