Mayor Walsh Offers Rent Vouchers For Boston Schools Families

Boston officials attempted to reassure worried residents as the first of the month looms — and with it, due dates for mortgage and rent payments.

Mayor Marty Walsh said Monday that rent vouchers are available for families of Boston Public Schools students who are facing economic challenges amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Walsh highlighted that, with the courts closed, there is essentially a statewide halt on eviction and foreclosure proceedings. And he added that the city will delay property tax payment deadlines until June.

The mayor said the $2.2 trillion federal stimulus will give the city new resources to help renters, and that the city is talking with lenders about ways to ease the burden for borrowers who may fall behind because of the coronavirus.

“All the banks are letting us know that they want to work with homeowners to find solutions, but they need to hear directly from you. ... If you're having problem paying your mortgage because of this crisis, please reach out to your bank and ask them what flexibilities are being offered right now," Walsh said.

Walsh is also urging people with concerns about mortgage payments to contact the city’s home center.

Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday was also asked about the pending rent and mortgage due date. He said he and his administration "are paying a lot of attention to this," but didn't outline any steps they might take.

Baker noted that mortgage holders have 90 days to make up any missed payments, and renters 60 days.

"And you can't evict or foreclose on anybody if the courts aren't open and they're not going to be open until at least the third week in April," he said.