Westborough trust allocates $125,000 pilot to address rising evictions; will solicit administrators

Trustees on May 9 authorized a town‑funded rental‑assistance pilot and directed a working group to solicit program administrators after staff and trustees reviewed eviction statistics and a failed grant application.

Staff told trustees they had applied for a $175,000 TD Bank Charitable Foundation grant to run an emergency rental program but did not receive the award. Staff also cited MassHousing Partnership eviction monitoring showing 29.4 evictions per 1,000 renter households in the six months ending in February — 77 eviction filings in the six‑month window — a rate trustees described as alarmingly high.

Trustee discussion focused on program design, fraud prevention and the pilot’s size. Options discussed included starting with $100,000–$125,000 for direct assistance coupled with casework, landlord outreach and data collection through MassHousing Partnership to learn eviction drivers. Several trustees noted the program should be a one‑year pilot to allow evaluation and pursuit of sustainable funding sources if needed.

A motion to allocate $125,000 to fund a one‑year rental‑assistance pilot, in addition to $17,500 previously allocated for administrative costs, passed by trustee vote (6-0). The trust also authorized the chair and working group to solicit bids for administration and to return with a recommended contract and draft agreement.

Trustees emphasized safeguards including case management, documentation checks and coordination with Youth & Family Services and MassHousing Partnership to reduce the risk of fraud and to ensure assistance reaches eligible residents. Staff will track program results and report back to the trust.