March 21, 2022

Hotline, website, in-person drop-in hours available for eviction intervention, housing assistance, and more.

Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll today announced that, in partnership with Essex County Bar Association (ECBA), the City of Salem has launched a new Housing Stability Service, which provides free housing information to Salem’s lower income renters and to Salem’s landlords with lower income tenants. The new service begins March 23, 2022 and includes in-person drop-in hours, a hotline, and a website.

Questions that the Housing Stability Service can assist with include, but are not limited to:

  • I received an eviction notice from my landlord, what can I do?
  • I have a tenant past due in rent for several months, what can I do about it?
  • How can I address safety issues with my apartment that my landlord has not fixed?
  • How do I handle a security deposit from my tenant?
  • What financial resources for housing are available to me?

COVID-19 has resulted in many housing challenges for renters and landlords alike, along with a need for housing information and resources related to housing rights, responsibilities, and opportunities. The Housing Stability Service includes drop-in hours, a Housing Stability Hotline and a Housing Stability webpage. Drop-in hours with an ECBA attorney will be available:

Community Life Center – 401 Bridge Street

  • 4th Wednesday, 9am-2pm (starting March 23, 2022)
  • 2nd Thursday, 3pm-7pm (starting April 14, 2022)

Espacio – 105 Congress Street

  • 1st Wednesday, 9am-2pm (starting April 6, 2022)
  • 3rd Thursday, 3pm-7pm (starting April 21, 2022)

The Housing Stability hot line is 978-500-0973 and will be answered live on Wednesdays from 9am to 2pm and on Thursdays from 4pm to 7pm. Outside those times, owners and renters may leave a message and an ECBA attorney will get back to you.

The Housing Stability website is salemhousinginfo.com. It will be updated regularly with up-to-date resources and information on tenant/landlord responsibilities, eviction process and eviction intervention resources, court information, laws, and other housing-related information.

“For some Salem residents, the pandemic has resulted in an exacerbation of housing security challenges,” said Mayor Driscoll. “The Housing Stability Service resources, offered in English and Spanish, will help owners and renters understand their obligations and the options available to them when they are facing difficulties. Our hope is that the service can help mediate housing issues and prevent legal action in court, which can create even more financial hardships, housing problems, and mental health crises for renters and landlords alike.”

These services provided by the Housing Stability Service are not legal advice. These services are to help educate and inform Salem owners and renters about their housing options and opportunities, as they relate to renting in Salem. The goal of the program is to help resolve housing problems to foster greater neighborhood and housing stability. When needed, referrals to legal aid or lawyer referral services will be made available for those that specifically seek or need legal redress through litigation.

The City of Salem’s Housing Stability Service program is funded by CDBG-CV funds provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Read more here.