(UPDATE: All of the funds have been awarded, and no more applications will be accepted)
The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:
The City of Watertown is pleased to announce that a COVID-19 Direct Assistance Program is now accepting applications. This program, which includes rental assistance and other common household expenses (PDF), is aimed at helping those who still face challenges in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This program is funded through the City of Watertown’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and is administered by Metro West Collaborative Development for the City.
The Direct Assistance Program (DAP) is available to households with income at or below 60% of the Area Median Income for the greater Boston area. The income limit for a single individual is $68,520, for a two-person household is $78,360 and for a three-person
household is $88,140. Eligible applicants can be awarded “cash” payments of $1,000 for an individual, $2,000 for a 2-person household and $3,000 for a household of 3 or more persons.
The program is temporary in nature and funding is limited. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and funds will be distributed to eligible applicants while they last. Eligible applicants must:
- Live in Watertown, Massachusetts
- Meet the income criteria
- Complete the Watertown DAP application
Metro West Collaborative Development staff are available to help anyone needing assistance with the completion of their application, including accommodating households with limited English proficiency, as well as disabilities that may impede one’s ability to complete the application. If you need assistance in filling out the application, you can reach out to Metro West Collaborative Development directly at 617-923-3505.
Additional resources that can assist with completion of the application include:
- Watertown Senior Services at 617-972-6490
- Watertown Veteran’s Services at 617-972-6416
- Watertown Housing Authority Resident Services at 617-393-0334
- Wayside at 617-744-9585
In addition to rent, examples of eligible household expenses include utilities, gas, cable and internet, car payments, medical expenses, groceries and childcare. Please visit the Metro West Collaborative Development website (PDF) to see the full list of eligible expenses. Anyone interested in applying should complete an online application and submit the required documents on the Metro West Collaborative’s website.