Staff Access

Basic Needs

Housing
Housing Assistance
General Information

Click on the links below to jump to each section:

 

• GENERAL INFORMATION

• Housing Advocates
• Subsidized Housing Explained (types, explanations)
  • Is there such a thing as emergency housing?
  • Eligibility Reference Materials & Forms
• Specific Populations
  • Elders
  • Veterans
  • Nursing Home Residents
  • Persons with Disabilities
  • AIDS or HIV
  • Immigrants
  • Victims of Domestic Violence
  • MGB ACO members
  • Local Programs
• Roommate Matching Services
• Rooming Houses/SROs
• Barriers to Finding Affordable Housing & Advocacy Tips (CORI, bad credit, immigration status)
• Understanding the Housing Crisis
• Reference
• Other States

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

• Key Resource: Housing Consumer Education Centers - They offer information and referral services, and hold housing search workshops and workshops on accessing benefits. These services are free and open to the public.
  • Metro Housing Boston serves Boston and 29 surrounding communities
• Key Resource: Metrolist - a clearinghouse for income-restricted and affordable housing opportunities in Boston and neighboring communities.

Housing Advocates

Housing advocates are few and far between. There are a few situations where people can get education and some level of support, these are listed below. But few will be able to get an advocate who can help in an ongoing way throughout the housing search process.

Patients can search Housing Works (https://www.housingworks.net/) for a Housing Advocate. Advocates help apply to housing and track applications. (Recommended browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, “the Edge” or Safari)

Homeless Clients (See Homelessness for other services, or Shelter) – Housing Advocacy

Homeless Individuals- those who make use of the shelter system should have access to housing advocacy services through the shelter.

Homeless Families (those with children)- Homeless families should be referred to DHCD worker at local DTA office. If placed in congregate or scattered site shelter should have (limited) access to housing advocate, if placed in motel, technically should have (limited) access to housing advocate, but reports indicate that this may not be happening.

Elders- Boston area homeless elders can be referred to the HEARTH (617-369-1550) program. The HEARTH program is connected to and screens cases at all of the main Boston area individual shelters. If the elder is new to the shelter system, contact the HEARTH program to pre-submit an intake form to ensure the client is identified in a timely manner. Also see: Elders Living at Home program

Housed Clients

If one is not already homeless, the first step is to evaluate the feasibility of maintaining housing - see Homelessness Prevention. If one is able to stay in a less than ideal situation while applying and waiting for subsidized housing, then we suggest contacting the local Housing Consumer Education Center (or call 800-224-5124) where you can learn about subsidized housing and how to apply and typically have access to computers and phones to begin your search.  

People with Disabilities- refer to local Independent Living Center

Non-disabled Adults- generally non-disabled adults who are not involved in the shelter system have to manage their own housing advocacy, but there are educational resources available. We suggest contacting the local Housing Consumer Education Center (or call 800-224-5124) where you can learn about subsidized housing and how to apply and typically have access to computers and phones to begin your search. Also Mass. Community Action Agencies (Community Action Agencies are non-profit human service agencies who provide emergency assistance to people in crisis. They offer help in finding housing, education, job training, and unemployment, among other services)

Housing Clinics - see below.

Subsidized Housing Explained

Patient Handouts from the CRC Applying for Subsidized Housing in Massachusetts (rev 3/24, seven pages) Spanish version (3/24), Haitian Creole version (3/24), Brazilian Portuguese version (3/24), Traditional Chinese version (3/24) Brief version: Subsidized Housing in MA (rev 2/23, one page) Brief Version- with phone numbers only (for those without digital access) Supplement: Options for Non-Citizens (4/24) See also: Partners Social Determinants of Health handout- briefer than above, but available in Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Arabic and Russian. See CARMA then Social Services/Community Resources Housing Clinics- Metro Housing Boston's Housing Hub (Housing Consumer Education Center) has introduced monthly Housing Clinics to the public. clinic dates, times, and registration information will be publicized on their Facebook page. These clinics will be staffed by the Housing Consumer Education Center and will assist in: Housing Search (process, research, etc.), Affordable Housing Application Assistance and Tenant and Landlord Rights and Responsibilities. Related: Overview of Community Resources (Spanish version, Haitian Creole version, Portuguese version, Traditional Chinese version) or see resources in nearby states on our CRC Patient Handouts page

 

For overall education and instruction on beginning a housing search, clients should contact their local Housing Consumer Education Center (Metro Housing Boston serves Boston and 29 surrounding communities)

Housing Clinics- Metro Housing Boston's Housing Hub (their Housing Consumer Education Center or HCEC) has introduced monthly Housing Clinics to the public. Clinic dates, times, and registration information will be publicized on their Facebook page. These clinics will be staffed by the Housing Consumer Education Center and will assist in: Housing Search (process, research, etc.), Affordable Housing Application Assistance and Tenant and Landlord Rights and Responsibilities.

There are four basic types of affordable housing.  Housing advocates have informed us that some are more realistic than others.

Realistic Options:

• Public Housing
• Project Based Subsidies
  • Project-Based Vouchers
  • Tax Credit Units

Less Realistic Options (tend to have long or closed waitlists; do get on these waitlists, but be prepared for long waits):

• Section 8
• Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP)

 

• Affordable Housing Staff Meeting Presentation- Metro Housing|Boston (formerly Metro Boston Housing Partnership or MBHP) 2/17
  • Includes walk-in hours
    • Note: due to demand, walk-in hours at Metro Housing Boston are suspended as of July 25th, 2019, and all appointments must be made by calling the HCEC contact line at 617-425-6700. Due to the volume of calls, they are experiencing a backlog of a few days to make return calls.
  • Q&A Notes

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Types of Affordable Housing

Realistic Options

• Public Housing
  Public Housing is owned and operated by the Local Housing Authority and can be either Federal or State funded. Although income is the primary eligibility criteria, preference is given to those who live or work in the town. To qualify one must be below 80% of the area median income (see MA income limits). Tenants pay about 30% of income for rent and utilities. Specific units are reserved for families (including families of one), and those who are elderly and/or disabled. Note: immigrants without status are eligible for state-funded housing.
• To apply:
  • Online- you can use the Department of Housing and Community Development’s Common Housing Application for Massachusetts Public-Housing (CHAMP) to apply online.
    • Guide for new applicants about how to apply online using the CHAMP. Note: disregard the link at the top of this document. The correct link is https://publichousingapplication.ocd.state.ma.us/. You can also find and manage active public housing applications on this site. For more info about CHAMP, see CHAMP Centralized State-Aided Public Housing Application Website- MGH Community News, February 2019.
  • In person- If you do not want to apply online, you can fill out the paper CHAMP and mail or hand deliver it to a local housing authority (LHA). CHAMP is available to print in 8 languages- see mass.gov. If you are applying to more than one housing authority, indicate on the Housing Selections list the housing authorities where you would like to apply and the program you are applying for- family, elderly/handicapped. Submit the completed application to a housing authority. The information will then be entered online by that housing authority, and your application will be submitted to the LHAs that you selected. If you submit a paper application instead of applying online, you can still use the CHAMP website to make changes or updates to your application. List of Local Housing Authorities.
• Find open waitlists: Patients or advocates can search Housing Works (https://www.housingworks.net/) (Recommended browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, “the Edge” or Safari)
• See MassLegalHelp's Housing Guide for more information.

 

• Project Based Subsidies
  • Project-Based Vouchers
    In Massachusetts, the main project-based subsidy developments are HUD developments and the MassHousing Developments. Tenants typically pay 30 percent of their income in rent. Most developments are run by private management companies hired by the developers, and each has its own preferences. Applicants must apply individually to each development. A listing of HUD subsidized apartments can be obtained by calling HUD’s New England Regional Office at 617-994-8200 ext. 3, or the website http://www.hud.gov/apps/section8. Also see MassHousing.
    • Find open waitlists: Patients or advocates can search Housing Works (https://www.housingworks.net/)(Recommended browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, “the Edge” or Safari)

      Tip:  Metro Housing|Boston (formerly Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership or MBHP) has their own stock of units that have a Section 8 subsidy attached to the residence. These are generally single rooms with shared facilities such as an “SRO” (Single Room Occupancy). The waitlist for this program is usually short- usually a matter of a couple of months.

      • More on Project-Based Vouchers...

         

  • Tax Credit Units
    As there is not enough funding to cover the high demand for subsidized housing, the state offers special tax credits to property owners who offer a certain number of units at below market rates. These rates are fixed, and do NOT adjust based on one’s income. Applications are made directly to the building that one is interested in. These units are listed in the MassHousing Housing List Booklet.

Less Realistic Options (tend to have long or closed waitlists; get on these waitlists, but start with other options)

• Section 8 (mobile)
  Section 8 housing vouchers are funded by the Federal Government. Section 8 vouchers are usually mobile, meaning that once awarded a voucher one can move anywhere in the country. They usually require an individual to pay between 30-40% of his/her gross income for rent. Income limits for eligibility vary, but typically fall within 30-50% of area median income (see Hud income limits). Section 8 waitlists are generally very long, averaging 8-10 years. There is no such thing as “Emergency Section 8”.
  • To apply: Advocates recommend applying for Section 8 through BOTH the Local Housing Authority in communities where you'd be willing to live AND the general waitlist
    • Local Housing Authorities (LHAs)
      • Centralized waitlist with 99 participating local housing authorities (out of 253 LHAs in the state): section8listmass.org. Advocates encourage you to identify any LHAs in communities where you'd be willing to live that do not participate in the list and apply to directly to those through the LHAs. Some LHAs do not have a Section 8 program, or their waitlists may be closed. (Note: Section 8 waitlists are very long. Public housing waits tend to be shorter.)
      AND
    • the general waitlist at the regional housing agency (usually same agency as Housing Consumer Education Center)

  • Tips: Once You Have a Voucher
  • Once you have an apartment it is important to update the housing authority if you have any change in income, rent, household make-up as the amount of rent you pay changes dependent on these factors. More info on Section 8...
  • Finding an Apartment with a Section 8 Voucher
    • Avoiding Realtor Fees
    • Realtor's fees are generally equal to 1 month's rent and neither Section 8 nor RAFT pay for these fees. You can filter Craigslist searches by “no fee” apartments. The family can call local realtors and ask about units where the landlord is willing to pay the realtor fee (less common but not unheard of). Look around town for “for rent” signs as these are often by rented owner and no fee, or calling the management companies of local managed properties and inquiring about open units, since some management companies screen applicants without the use of a realtor.
    • When calling to inquire about a unit or touring units
    • Don’t disclose that you have a voucher until you’re submitting an application for a unit. It’s illegal for landlords to refuse vouchers (it’s housing discrimination), but it’s easy to not return voicemails or tell someone a unit is no longer available if they call asking about Section 8. It’s much harder to deny someone once they’ve viewed the unit and hopefully made a good impression. Management companies are often more familiar with of non-discrimination requirements than private landlords.
    • Provide the minimum information necessary (i.e., my daughter and I are looking for a 2 bedroom apartment in the Roxbury area, is this one still available?) and to have an answer prepared for when they’re inevitably asked about employment or source of income (if appropriate you can say “I’m disabled, but have stable disability insurance”) that isn’t overly revealing.
    • Medical Extensions
      • Section 8 vouchers expire it you don't sign a lease - typically within 90 days. Does the voucher holder have a medical or mental health condition that inhibits their ability to complete a housing search? A medical provider can submit a letter asking the agency issuing the voucher for an extension.The letter does NOT need to specify diagnosis.
    • What can you afford with your voucher?
      • Check the “payment standard” for your number of bedrooms, as Section 8 vouchers have different values in different zip codes: https://www.bostonhousing.org/en/For-Section-8-Leased-Housing/How-Rent-is-Set/Payment-Standards.aspx
      • Calculate Section 8 payment standard minus utilities: https://boston.maxrent.org/ (this mobile-friendly site can help you with this complicated calculation and better understand what you can afford.)
      • Section 8 will pay it’s portion of first and last month’s rent, but not security deposit or realtor fees.
    • Thanks to Kara Huselton for sharing these tips! (3/21 and 8/21)

 

• MRVP (Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program)
  MRVP can be either “Mobile” or “Project-Based” Project-based subsidies are attached to a specific building or apartment. There are no immigration requirements for this state-funded voucher. Rent is up to 40% of one’s income, dependent upon whether utilities are included or not. At this point in time, MRVP wait lists have been closed for several years waiting state funding. It is best to check with the local housing authority or regional housing agency for up-to-date information about the availability of this type of subsidy. More info on MRVP...
• FY 13 Budget note: an additional $6M in new vouchers have been allocated for this program, but will mostly be earmarked for families already in the EA shelter system (approximately 400 vouchers) or for those needing specialized supportive housing programs (approximately 150 vouchers).

 

Is there such a thing as emergency housing?

There are homeless shelters (individual or EA/Family shelters for example) - see our shelter page for lists and more information.

But to understand "emergency housing" related to permanent subsidized housing you have to understand priorities and preferences:

Priorities and Preferences - Subsidized housing units in Massachusetts almost always run waitlists. Many have specific priorities and preferences that they apply to those on the list. Qualifying for a priority or preference will move one nearer to the top of the waitlist. In some instances, a waiting list may be closed to people without preferences and open only to people who qualify for certain preferences. Even with a priority/preference it is common to still have a long wait for an available unit. (For more on priorities and preferences see our subsidized Housing Search Basics handout. p 8).

"Emergency Status"- is a term that Massachusetts-funded public housing uses for their priority/preference category. Massachusetts’ state-funded public housing programs (a specific type of subsidized housing where the subsidy is attached to a building rather than given as a voucher to the family) typically require a separate, additional application to qualify for “emergency status”. If one is granted emergency status, the housing authority agrees to place the applicant at or near the top of the waiting list. Note that qualifying for emergency status does not guarantee immediate housing; it moves one higher on the waitlist. (More information at www.masslegalhelp.org/housing/applying.)

Length of Waiting Lists- The length of waiting lists varies, and tends to be shorter in public housing than for vouchers such as section 8. For some perspective, from a February 23, 2014  article (parentheses added):  


“...the wait for affordable or subsidized housing can now be as long as a decade. The state gives homeless families (i.e., with children) in shelters expedited status that can reduce their wait to about two years, but that means others on the list wait longer. As an example of the demand, Gornstein (Massachusetts Undersecretary of Housing Aaron Gornstein) said 95,000 families are on the waiting list for one type of subsidized housing, Section 8.”
-http://wgbhnews.org/post/state-seeks-move-homeless-hotel-rooms-group-homes

Related: Boston's Average Apartment Rent is the Third-Highest in the US - MGH Community News, October 2016

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Advocacy Guide from MassLegalHelp.org – Finding Public and Subsidized Housing. Detailed advocacy guide written in plain English; sections include: Housing Programs, How to Apply, Eligibility, Who Has Priority?, How Waiting Lists Work, Tenant Screening, Challenging a Denial of Housing, Using a Section 8 Voucher, Immigrants and Housing,Reasonable Accommodations.

 

Eligibility Reference Materials & Forms

• HUD Income Limits (FY 2018; effective 4/18) HUD Fair Market Rents (FY 2019)
• Public Housing Applications & Documentation - MA Dept of Housing and Community Development
  • Includes forms to request reasonable accommodations
• Applicants from Nursing Homes, Hospitals and other Long-Term Care Facilities - DHCD Memo stating thes applicants are considered "homeless".

 

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Applying and Housing Lists

 

Affordable Housing Staff Meeting Presentation- Metro Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP) 2/17

Local Housing Authorities vs. Regional Housing Agencies

Almost every town or city in Massachusetts has a Local housing authority (LHA) that owns and manages public housing within their own locality, and maintain state and federal waitlists for section 8 and other state subsidies. The regional non-profits (Housing Consumer Education Centers) such as the Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP) have their own regional waitlists for Section 8, MRVP and some limited project based units. These waitlists are separate than the ones held by the local housing authorities; clients can be on both. Waitlists at housing authorities may have preferences and priorities for local residents and other special categories, whereas the regional operates on a "first-come, first-served" basis, with no priority status. Regionals have the additional advantage of also having Housing Consumer Education Centers that aims to help those in need successfully navigate the complicated affordable housing system. Tip 1:  Each Housing Authority may have independent preferences and priorities. Housing Authorities are required to make printed copies of current preferences and priorities for subsidized housing available- ask for it. Tip 2: Although some housing authorities use a Centralized Section 8 Application and/or accept a common Standard Application for public housing, each Housing Authority runs independent of another. It is important to advise clients that might have a priority status such as proof of homelessness and a disability to contact the LHA in every community in which they would be willing to live and make sure they are given priority.

Tip 3:  Applicants are strongly advised to keep a record of where she/he applied. If the applicant moves while awaiting public housing, it is essential to notify each LHA of the new address. If the applicant moves to the top of the list and they cannot contact him/her because of an outdated address, the applicant moves back to the bottom of the waiting list.

1. Local Housing Authorities: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/local-housing-authority-contact-listing
• Boston Housing Authority New Intake Process and Business Hours (July 2014)

Massachusetts Regional Nonprofit Housing Agencies - Housing Consumer Education Centers:   www.masshousinginfo.org/
There are nine Regional Nonprofit Housing Agencies/Housing Consumer Education Centers in Massachusetts that administer Section 8. They offer information and referral services, and hold housing search workshops and workshops on accessing benefits. These services are free and open to the public.

• Metro Housing Boston's housing search database for the Metro Boston area: www.metrohousingboston.org and click on the “Apartment Listings” tab.

HousingWorks.net is an internet-based housing search service. As of February 2019, you can now download all subsidized and affordable housing applications for FREE on this site! It reportedly is the best single source for updated information on openings and to get applications to apply at many different types of housing. (Note: There are two sections to their site - "finding housing" and "finding a housing advocate." The "finding housing" section is useful, be aware though that the "finding a housing advocate" section includes most users of the system- many of whom do not take housing advocacy referrals.)
See also:  HousingWorks.net - Training & Tips and HousingWorks Says ALL Subsidized and Affordable Applications Now Available Through Site - MGH Community News, February 2019

Program Highlight: Housingworks.net -MGH Community News, June 2008

MassHousing List

• Download complete list
• Or go here to view smaller partial list

MassAccess - This program has been replaced by by two websites:

• Housing Navigator MA is the official online listing and search tool for accessible and affordable rental homes in Massachusetts.
• MyMassHome is the official online listing and search tool for accessible and affordable homeownership opportunities in Massachusetts.

(The Mass Accessible Housing Registry was a free program that helps people with disabilities find rental housing, primarily accessible and barrier-free housing, in Massachusetts. Instructions and database:  www.massaccesshousingregistry.org/)

HUD Multifamily Housing

• HUD Multifamily Inventory (elderly and disabled buildings) HUD Subsidized Apartment Search Database - Massachusetts  |  Other States
• Listing of Massachusetts HUD Multifamily Housing Developments, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  --reference copy available by calling the CRC X 6-8182
• Universal Standard Application for state-aided Public Housing (Note date- we are currently investigating whether this application is current)
  • For other similar forms such as Emergency standard application and request for accommodations (on Department of Housing and Community Development website).

  New Hampshire Directory of Assisted Housing- lists rental properties that offer income restrictions or rent subsidies. This directory does not provide information on the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program. To search the directory, please choose a town and/or a housing type.

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Resources for Specific Populations

Click on the population for more information:

• Elders
• Veterans
• Nursing Home Residents
• Persons with Disabilities
• AIDS or HIV
• Immigrants
• Victims of Domestic Violence
• Students
• MGB ACO Members
• Local Programs

Also see:  Anti-discrimination/Fair Housing Rights

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Elders

• The Elders Living at Home program provides homelessness prevention and stabilization services.
  • The Aging Right in Community Initiative is a collaboration of the Elders Living at Home program and the Medical-Legal Partnership. The program works to provide intensive case management to older adults at imminent risk of losing their housing and becoming homeless. Some examples of situations assisted with are rental arrearages, home safety concerns, inappropriate behaviors, etc.  Applicants need to be 55 or over, have a low income, and at imminent risk of losing their housing.
  • Stabilization Services - Services provided to newly housed elders and elders at risk of becoming homeless. Services include case management, medication management, nursing assessments, etc. Applicants must be at least 62 years old, formerly homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and willing to accept stabilization services.
• Hearth
  This organization identifies, assesses, and provides housing and appropriate stabilization services to homeless men and women, 50 years or older who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. See also: Hearth Program, MGH Community News, April 2010.

• See Also:   Basic Needs/Housing/Housing With Services - Long Term Care Facilities

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Veterans

• Veterans Affairs Supported Housing (VASH) - subsidies and case management support are available to homeless veterans (both individuals and families). Eligible participants would work with a case manager and a participating housing authority and would be required to pay about 30% of their monthly income towards rent. Requires referral from a participating VA Medical Center's Homeless Services Program. Please note that the definition of "homelessness" for this program differs from that of the EA program, so there may be families that are not eligible for EA shelter but who would be appropriate referrals to VASH.
  • Commonwealth and VA Launch Pilot to End Veteran Homelessness - peer support, mental health services, psychiatric evaluation and linkages to emergency shelter to veterans recently placed in supportive housing through VASH. - MGH Community News, January 2012

• Veterans' Guide to Housing Benefits

The Secretary of the Commonwealth of MA
Website provides information on public housing, medical care through the Soldiers' Homes Program, shelters, vet centers, and outreach centers, as well as contact information.
• Program Highlights:  
  • New Veterans' Housing Opening in Somerville- MGH Community News, September 2013
  • "Housing First" for Veterans; Pittsfield Community First in Nation - MGH Community News, November 2010

 

(See also Military/Veterans page for non-housing resources.)

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Nursing Home Residents

• Housing Vouchers Available to Transition Out of Nursing Home - PILOT (7/21)
  • The Disability Policy Consortium (DPC) is partnering with Independent Living Centers across Massachusetts and the Department of Housing and Community Development to offer housing vouchers specifically for people coming out of skilled nursing facilities.
  • You may be eligible to receive affordable housing through this pilot if you are:
    • 59 or younger,
    • A person with a disability,
    • Low-income, and
    • A resident of a skilled nursing facility

    This pilot program will supply 50 rental assistance vouchers from the Alternative Housing Voucher Program to eligible residents of Skilled Nursing Facilities to live in the community. If more than 50 eligible people apply, a lottery will be held to determine who will receive vouchers.  

    Download an Application or the large print version. You can also request the application be mailed to you by calling 617-338-6665.

    For assistance or further information on this program, please visit this link or contact your local Independent Living Center

    - From DPC Update, June 29, 2021.

• Also see: MassHealth Home and Community Based Waivers - Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers are programs for MassHealth members who otherwise need facility-based care. Some are set up for MassHealth members who are in nursing homes or rehabilitation hospitals, and who want to live in the community. These are the Home and Community Based Services Waivers. Massachusetts can “waive” or to set aside some of the Medicaid (MassHealth) rules so that people can return to the community, with support.
  • Mass Rehab Commission (MRC) operates three waivers:
    • Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver (TBI Waiver)
    • Acquired Brain Injury Non-Residential Waiver (ABI-N Waiver)
    • Moving Forward Plan Community Living Waiver (MFP-CL Waiver)
  • The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) administers two related waivers:
  • Acquired Brain Injury Residential Habilitation Waiver (ABI-RH Waiver)
  • Moving Forward Plan Residential Supports Waiver (MFP-RS Waiver)
  • More on these two waivers: see the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and Moving Forward Plan (MFP) Waivers page. 
  • More information: MassHealth Home and Community Based Waivers
  • More information for Frail Elder Waivers (must be living in the community)

 

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Persons with Disabilities

• MassAccess - This program has been replaced by by two websites:
• Housing Navigator MA is the official online listing and search tool for accessible and affordable rental homes in Massachusetts.
• MyMassHome is the official online listing and search tool for accessible and affordable homeownership opportunities in Massachusetts.

(The Mass Accessible Housing Registry was a free program that helps people with disabilities find rental housing, primarily accessible and barrier-free housing, in Massachusetts. Instructions and database:  www.massaccesshousingregistry.org/)

• Massachusetts Independent Living Centers (ILCs)
  ILCs are multi-service agencies for people with disabilities. Finding affordable housing is one of the services that they can provide.

• Program Highlight: Granite State Independent Living and NH Disability Resources" - MGH Community News, November 2007

• Program Highlight: Nonantum Village Congregate House- New Enhanced Care Floor - MGH Community News, September 2007

• Housing Search Guide for People with Disabilities in Massachusetts from Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA)- 2013

See Also:

• Long Term Care Facilities
• Housing for People with Intellectual Disabilities

AIDS or HIV

• How To Get To a Place Called Home: A handbook to help people with HIV find housing
  AIDS Housing Corporation, updated regularly. Available in English, Spanish and Creole.

  AIDS Action Committee
  Provides housing services including notices of affordable housing and roommate situations, information on subsidized housing opportunities, and a guide to obtaining housing assistance. Contact the AIDS Action's Access office at 617-450-1250 or toll-free at 888-437-6200.

• Tri-City "Housing Advocacy for People with AIDS (HOPWA)" program.
  --Assists in locating housing and employment and accessing public benefits programs in Malden, Medford, Everett, Melrose, Wakefield and surrounding communities.

Immigrants

Subsidized Housing and Immigration Status
Massachusetts state-funded public housing developments have no immigration status restrictions. If the housing authority requires an applicant's Social Security number, the applicant should inform the housing authority that they have not been assigned a social security number and ask what other forms of identification they may provide instead.

For federally funded public housing, at least one person in a household my be lawfully present in the United States. This means they have to be a citizen, have a green card, be a refugee, etc. An eligible member may be a child and does not have to be the head of household. If there are people in a household who are not considered "legal" immigrants, the household is still eligible for a federal subsidy, but the amount will be pro-rated to cover only the legal resident(s). It is important that all applicants, regardless of their immigration status, honestly report their income when applying for housing subsidies. Undocumented immigrants should apply to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for an ITIN, an identification number that allows them to pay taxes on all income even without legal status.

• Note: The Trump administration has proposed changes for mixed-status households in federally-funded housing that are currently under review. For more information, see
  Immigrant Families in Public Housing Units Threatened by Trump Administration Proposal- MGH Community News, May 2019

Reporting Requirements
Under 1996 welfare reform, state agencies are not required to report an immigrant to immigration authorities unless the immigrant give the agency proof that he or she is under a final order of deportation and the individual is applying for public benefits for him/herself. In Massachusetts, the only agencies required to report the individuals who meet those two criteria (and are thus "known to be in the U.S. unlawfully") are the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), the Social Security Administration (for SSI cases) and local housing authorities (for federal public housing). No other state agencies are mandated to report (including Department of Public Health, Division of Medical Assistance, Department of Mental Retardation, and the Department of Education).

Advocates should inform undocumented parents who apply for benefits on behalf of the lawfully present children that agencies should only seek information on the U.S. citizenship or immigration status of the family members seeking the benefits. These parents do not have to give any information about their own immigration status. Call MIRA at 617-350-5480 with questions or concerns about this.

More Information/Patient Handout: see Supplement: Options for Non-Citizens (Supplement to our Applying for Subsidized Housing in Massachusetts handout)

Victims of Domestic Violence

Signed into law on January 5, 2006, the Violence Against Women Act of 2005 includes important new housing legal protections and programs for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. VAWA 2005 includes the following new housing protections and programs:

• Amendments to the federal Public Housing and Section 8 statutes to clarify that victims of domestic violence may not be evicted from or denied housing because they are victims. Amendments to federal housing planning requirements to ensure that the needs of victims are considered in these local planning processes
• Amendments to the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to ensure safety and confidentiality for victims in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)

For more details about the new VAWA housing legal protections, the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty (NLCHP) website provides several information sheets, mostly on a policy level, including this one:

• Frequently Asked Questions about VAWA Housing Provisions

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MGB ACO Members

Members of the MGB MassHealth ACO who are homeless or at risk of homelessness AND meet certain high-risk medical criteria may qualify for housing advocacy assistance through the MGB ACO Flexible Services program.

 

Local Programs

• Coming soon: Somerville Consolidated Rental Waitlist. Launching in late 2023, will have a single waitlist for all Somerville inclusionary rental opportunities (see definition below.)
  • Inclusionary rental units are apartments created through the Somerville Zoning Ordinance (requires that 20% of all new housing in projects with 4 or more units be affordable). The Consolidated Rental Waitlist will apply to all new inclusionary rental units built after the Waitlist launch. It will also be used to fill vacancies in existing inclusionary units once the original project waitlists are exhausted. As of Jan/Feb 2023 there are over 350 existing inclusionary units and over 400 slated to become available in the current project pipeline.
  • The Consolidated Rental Waitlist only applies to Somerville inclusionary rental opportunities. It will NOT apply to Somerville Housing Authority public housing units, nor for below market rental opportunities in neighboring municipalities. The Waitlist will also not apply to purpose-built affordable housing built outside of inclusionary housing requirements such as the affordable housing projects built by the Somerville Community Corporation. Homeownership opportunities under the inclusionary program will continue to be marketed and filled via individual applications for each opportunity as it becomes available.
  • Learn more

 

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Roommate Matching Services

• www.roommates.com is a free service that allows individuals to search through their database for a roommate.
• www.bostonapartments.com lists apartments for rent and properties for sale throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire. There is a section for those seeking roommates to share their apartment. This is a free site to post an ad and/or to search for an apartment.
• www.craigslist.org has a housing section in which individuals can search for roommates and apartments.
• Nesterly is an app that connects young people in need of affordable rent with older residents who would benefit from extra companionship and help around the house.

Rooming Houses/SROs

• Single Room Occupancies are rooming houses with single rooms. Residents normally share a bathroom and kitchen.
• Online search: HousingWorks provides an online housing search tool. In the "Number of bedrooms" box, you can select "SRO" to locate Single Room Occupancies in the area of your choice.
• Subsidized SRO units- Boston area, contact or visit the Metro Housing Boston (formerly Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership) for an application. You may also print and complete the Section 8 Project-Based Voucher Program Pre-Application for Housing Assistance form at home and return it to Metro Housing Boston. There may be a waitlist for some of these units.
  
• Program Highlights
• 140 Clarendon. Located at 140 Clarendon St Boston, MA 02116. How to apply or call 617-275-7306 for more information.
• Bowdoin Manor- Beacon Hill SRO Offers Path to Mobile Certificate --MGH Community News, March 2008.