Going to be evicted in Marlborough, MA

(Request from Caroline in Marlborough, Massachusetts) I lost my job and haven’t been able to pay my rent and now I am going to be evicted. What can I do?Dear Caroline,

The underlying problem appears to be your loss of income. That has caused you to be unable to pay your rent, and likely other expenses such as utilities and food. Let’s take a moment to consider these needs while we also look at helping you avoid eviction from your home. I recommend visiting your local One-Stop Career Center to inquire about the Adult and Dislocated Worker Program. You could get additional job training and attention to help you find a job. The closest location may be the Framingham office at 1671 Worcester Road. Call 508-766-5700 to schedule an appointment.

Beyond your job search, you will still need to maintain a stable residence. After all, your new employer will expect you to have a stable home life to prevent problems interfering with your work.

Community Teamwork

One rental assistance opportunity may be provided by Community Teamwork. This nonprofit organization provides rental assistance and utility payment grants to eligible local residents who are at risk of homelessness. Funding is limited, so you will need to make your best case for why you need assistance.

Explain your job loss to your case worker. Even if you made a mistake that led to your dismissal, be upfront and honest with all questions. They will go to bat for you if you are genuine in your request and make a good case for why the emergency financial support would make a difference. Keep in mind that you could receive funding under the Emergency Housing Assistance program, or you could receive a mix of funds for housing and utility support. Both could help you get through this rough patch while you are restoring your income. Call 978-459-0551 to speak with a case worker at Community Teamwork.

SMOC

Southern Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) is another rental assistance program serving Marlborough. This agency focuses more on long-term rental assistance subsidies and other assistance intended for local residents who have chronic income problems. Ultimately, you may be employable enough where SMOC is not going to be your top option for rental assistance, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Still, their case managers can be of great assistance to help you make the right referrals to help you through your short-term rental assistance needs. Call 508-620-2335.

Whatever action you take, be prepared to seek assistance quickly so that you have time to make important decisions. Your landlord may move quickly as state law allows, which could put you into a difficult situation if you receive an eviction notice before you are prepared to act.