Your Guide to RAP Funding for Sober Living in Massachusetts: Eligibility, Application, and Support
The Rent Assistance Program (RAP) pays weekly rent directly to MASH-certified sober homes for people in early recovery who cannot cover it themselves. The money is federal. It flows from Section 8071 of the SUPPORT Act into the Recovery Housing Program run by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, which works through the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) and contracts with the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) to administer it.
RAP is often called the Residential Assistance Program. That is the wrong name, and it collides with the state’s RAFT program. MASH calls it the Rent Assistance Program.
The RAP application is paused. As of August 2026 the online RAP application is paused because of application volume. MASH asks applicants not to call, and to keep checking for the form to reopen. This page is reviewed against MASH’s own application page, so check back here or with your sober house before you plan around RAP.
In the meantime, several Massachusetts scholarships are open and pay a certified home directly. They are listed in Sober Living Financial Assistance in Massachusetts: Grants, Scholarships, and Funding.
What the RAP Grant Covers for Sober Living Residents
The RAP program provides temporary financial assistance to individuals in early recovery who are transitioning into sober living. The goal is to remove financial barriers that might otherwise prevent access to a safe and supportive living environment. Funding is specifically allocated for residents living in MASH-certified sober homes, ensuring that participants receive housing that meets high standards of safety and support.
Key features of the RAP program:
- Weekly rent vouchers paid directly to the certified sober home. The state describes RAP as rental vouchers, and does not list move-in costs or deposits.
- Short-term rent support for individuals in financial need.
- Focus on supporting individuals who have completed a treatment program and require stable housing to continue their recovery journey.
- Available only for residents of certified sober houses, ensuring compliance with state quality standards.
Federal rules shape how long the help can last. As the Connecticut Department of Housing explains the federal Recovery Housing Program, it funds stable, transitional housing for people in recovery for no more than two years, or until the person secures permanent housing, whichever comes first.
The certified-home requirement comes from state law. Under Massachusetts General Laws chapter 17, section 18A, a state agency or a vendor with a statewide contract may refer a person only to alcohol and drug free housing that is certified. The Department of Public Health put that referral rule into effect on September 1, 2016, and MASH is the body that certifies homes, which is why RAP dollars follow MASH certification.
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Who Is Eligible for RAP Funding in Massachusetts
To qualify for RAP funding, applicants must meet specific criteria related to their recovery status, financial situation, and housing needs.
General eligibility requirements include:
- Recovery Status: Must be in recovery from substance use disorder and seeking a sober house.
- Financial Need: Must demonstrate financial hardship and an inability to afford sober living costs independently.
- Residency Requirements: Must intend to reside in a certified sober house in Massachusetts.
The MASH Rent Assistance Program page lists a RAP Resident Acceptance Letter and a Notice of Resident Leaving Sober Home among its resources. Both are paperwork the sober home handles, so ask the house mentor or operator early whether they already work with RAP.
How to Apply for RAP Funding Through MASH
Individuals interested in applying for RAP funding should follow these steps to ensure they meet the necessary requirements and complete the application correctly.
As of October 7, 2026, the MASH application page still reads that RAP has been paused because of high volume. While the form is closed, these steps keep your options open:
- Ask the sober home whether it offers a short payment plan or a reduced first week while you wait.
- If you face rent arrears or move-in costs, look at RAFT, the state’s emergency housing payment program, which pays up to $7,000 per 12-month period for eligible households. The FY27 RAFT Administrative Plan excludes stipends for future rent, so RAFT cannot replace weekly rent.
| Step | What to do | Who helps |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Confirm eligibility | Contact MASH to confirm you meet the criteria, and confirm that the sober house you are considering is MASH certified. | MASH |
| 2. Submit the application | Send the application directly to MASH. | MASH, or a treatment provider or sober house operator who files it on your behalf |
| 3. Approval and payment | If approved, the rent support is paid directly to the sober house for a set period. | MASH and the participating sober home |
Note: This grant does not have a funding agreement with residents. MASH has an agreement with the sober homes participating in the grant regarding invoicing and accepting funds on behalf of the resident. The grant does not require recipients to participate in a recovery program.
Who qualifies
- People who want to move into a certified sober home but have no income yet.
- People already living in a certified sober home who have lost employment.
Frequently Asked Questions About RAP Funding for Sober Living
What is the RAP program for sober living in Massachusetts?
The Rent Assistance Program (RAP) pays weekly rent directly to MASH-certified sober homes for people in early recovery who cannot cover it themselves. The money is federal, flows through the state Recovery Housing Program, and is administered by the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH).
Who is eligible for RAP funding?
People in recovery from a substance use disorder who show financial hardship and plan to live in a certified Massachusetts sober house. That includes people who want to move in but have no income yet, and current residents of a certified home who have lost their job.
Is the RAP application open right now?
No. As of August 2026, MASH has paused the online RAP application because of application volume and asks applicants not to call. Keep checking for the form to reopen, and in the meantime ask about Massachusetts scholarships that pay a certified home directly.
Does RAP pay the resident or the sober house?
RAP pays the sober house. Approved rent support goes directly to the MASH-certified home, which has an agreement with MASH covering invoicing and accepting funds on the resident’s behalf. The resident signs no funding agreement and does not receive the money personally.
Do I have to be in a recovery program to receive RAP?
No. The grant does not require recipients to participate in a recovery program. You do need to be in recovery from a substance use disorder, show financial need, and live in, or plan to move into, a MASH-certified sober home in Massachusetts.
Is RAP the same as RAFT?
No. RAP pays weekly rent to MASH-certified sober homes for people in early recovery, while RAFT is a statewide homelessness prevention program for low-income households facing a housing crisis such as arrears or a needed move. The names sound alike, which is why RAP is often mislabeled.
How Massachusetts Sober Home Operators Work With RAP
Operators decide whether RAP is part of their resident funding mix. Only MASH-certified homes can take part, so certification comes first, and the process mirrors the national standards behind NARR certification. Foote (2026) scores Massachusetts 8 out of 10 for resident funding access and classifies the state as moderately regulated.
A home that accepts RAP residents should be ready for the administrative side:
- Invoice MASH on the schedule set in the home’s RAP agreement, and file the departure notice promptly when a RAP resident leaves so payments stop on the correct date.
- Set weekly rent with the voucher in mind; sober living rent pricing that residents can sustain after assistance ends protects both the resident and the home.
The state-specific playbook covering certification, zoning, and setup from start to finish.
Where to Get Help With a RAP Application
Individuals interested in applying for RAP funding or seeking more details can:
- Read our overview of the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH), which administers RAP
- Apply with VSL to get started or to request more information about RAP Funding
- Call VSL at (844) 762-3747 to talk with an Intake Coordinator
- Contact their local treatment provider, counselor, or case manager for assistance with the application process.
Take the next step
Apply, browse homes, or search the national directory.
Apply onlineGet a call back within 24 hours.View VSL homesSee Chartered recovery homes and find the right fit.Search the national directoryCertified sober houses anywhere in the US.Or call (844) 762-3747, weekdays 8a to 5p.
Research & Sources
- Foote, H. T. (2026). Vanderburgh Sober Living Operating Climate Index, 2026 Edition. Vanderburgh Sober Living. https://www.vanderburghhouse.com/research/operating-climate-index-2026/
- Bureau of Substance Addiction Services. (2016, September 21). State agencies and their vendors shall only be able to refer clients to certified sober homes. Mass.gov. https://www.mass.gov/news/state-agencies-and-their-vendors-shall-only-be-able-to-refer-clients-to-certified-sober-homes
- Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. (2026). FY27 RAFT administrative plan and scope of services. Mass.gov. https://www.mass.gov/doc/raft-admin-plan/download
- Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. (n.d.). Recovery Housing Program (RHP). Mass.gov. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/recovery-housing-program-rhp
- Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. (n.d.). Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program. Mass.gov. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/residential-assistance-for-families-in-transition-raft-program
- Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing. (2026). Rent Assistance Program (RAP) application. https://mashsoberhousing.org/resources/rental-assistance-program-rap/
- Massachusetts General Laws ch. 17, § 18A. Certification of alcohol and drug free housing. https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter17/Section18A
- Connecticut Department of Housing. (n.d.). Recovery Housing Program. https://portal.ct.gov/doh/doh-1/programs/recovery-housing-program
