The information linked below is not affiliated with Franklin Cummings Tech and the college does not accept any responsibility for the reliability of the information provided. These resources are included here as an example of what is available through your community. It is the student’s responsibility to carefully evaluate all resources. The college cannot provide housing, but does offer these resources to aid students’ searches.
A Guide to Renting
As a commuter school, we do not offer on-campus housing. Most students either live in a family home or rent an apartment. If you’re not sure how to find an apartment to look, check out this Guide to Renting in Boston (many of the listed sites can also be used to find apartments outside of Boston).
In addition to these sites, some renters in Boston choose to work directly with a real estate broker to find the right place for them. Working with a broker may simplify your search, but it could also mean paying extra fees. Choose the option that works best for your circumstances.
Some students use Facebook groups, Facebook Marketplace, and/or Craigslist to find individual rooms to rent. Remember to keep your eye out for scams. If you aren’t allowed to see the inside of the apartment or it simply seems too good to be true, proceed with caution. You’ll need to use your own discretion when searching for an apartment. The college does not recommend any specific search sites, neighborhoods, or apartments to students. If you are in an unsafe situation, contact local authorities or dial 9-1-1.
If you’ve never rented an apartment before (and even if you have), you may not be familiar with what to ask. You can find one list of questions to consider asking from Apartments.com and another from ApartmentGuide.com. It can also be helpful to bring a few notes, so you remember everything you want to ask about.
Intergenerational Home Sharing
In an attempt to reduce the cost of housing and increase the quality of life for older adults, the City of Boston has paired with Nesterly, an intergenerational home-sharing program. You can learn more about intergenerational home sharing on the City of Boston’s website. Nesterly is not associated with Franklin Cummings Tech.
HousingWorks
HousingWorks.net organizes and teaches how to most effectively search and apply for low-income housing opportunities. Be sure to watch the video or read their instructional guide to learn how to use this resource & remember to keep track of your applications using the housing log (available on their website)!
Want to learn more about low-income housing? Check out the Commonwealth’s Guide to Obtaining Housing Assistance.
Rental Assistance Programs
If you have unpaid rent or know you will be unable to pay your rent in the coming months, you may qualify for emergency rental assistance program called RAFT. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies caused by loss of income, increase in expenses, or both. You can find more information and apply on Massachusetts’s website. Information is also available on the Mass Legal Help’s website.
Resources for Homelessness
If you are experiencing homelessness or are at-risk of becoming homeless, we encourage you to reach out to your Success Coach, a trusted professor or staff member, or to the Office of Student Wellness and Support directly. The Office of Student Wellness and Support can share information about shelters and other housing programs.
You can also find information about shelters on the Boston Public Health Commission’s website. You can find other resources for homelessness on their website as well.
Another great resource is the Massachusetts Homeless Youth Handbook. It has a wide range of information including housing, safety and stability, information about laws and interacting with the police, getting identification, and more.
Tenant Rights
There are specific laws that protect people who rent apartments. It is important to know your rights. You can find more information about tenant rights on the Mass.gov website or through Mass Legal Help. See the “Notice to Quit & Evictions” section below for information on legal assistance programs that may be able to help if your tenant rights are violated.
Notice to Quit & Eviction
Every eviction is different, and your options will vary. No matter the circumstances, you must always adhere to the deadlines. If you miss a deadline, you will no longer have that option available to you. To learn more about what to do if you receive a Notice to Quit, visit the Mass Legal Help webpage.
If you live in the Greater Boston area and you are facing an eviction, you may be eligible for free legal assistance through the Greater Boston Legal Services. You can learn more about GBLS’s Housing services on their website. In addition to location, eligibility for free services is based on your income—you can check your eligibility with their online calculator. If you do not qualify, GBLS also has self-help resources available on their website.
Similar legal assistance programs exist for communities outside of Greater Boston. For services in Brockton (and other Southeastern counties), please visit the South Coastal Counties Legal Services website. For Worcester (also all Central and Western counties), please see the Community Legal Aid webpage. If you need help locating a legal assistance program outside these areas, you can reach out to the Director of Student Wellness and Support, Emma Michalowski.
If you would like assistance with any of the resources listed here, please contact Emma Michalowski, Director of Student Wellness and Support, at emichalowski@franklincummings.edu or 617-606-3449.
