Skip to main content
Important Changes

Important Changes  Updates to the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP)

Date: 04/16/2026
Skip table of contents
You skipped the table of contents section.

Notice to Property Owners

Dear Property Owner,

This letter is for property owners with tenants with a mobile Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) and/or Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) voucher administered by a local housing authority or regional administering agency.  MRVP and AHVP are overseen by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC).

HLC is making two changes to how rents are increased for MRVP and AHVP vouchers.  HLC is making these changes because it is required to do so by the state Legislature and due to unsustainable increases in subsidy amounts.

  1. Contract rents (the total rent paid to you) may only be increased at the lease renewal date.  This is required by budget language written and approved by the state Legislature and follows standard market practices. 
  • All rent increases should be requested at least 90 days prior to the lease renewal date.  Rent increases requested less than 60 days prior to the lease renewal date will not be processed until the following year.
  • Please discuss how to request a rent increase with the housing agency administering the voucher.  These policies vary by housing agency, and HLC cannot provide detailed instructions.
  • Rent can only be increased once in any 12-month period.
  1. Rent increases are limited to 3% of the contract rent.

These changes will take effect for any rent increases effective on or after July 1, 2026, unless you have a rent increase that’s already been approved in writing.

We understand that changing these policies may limit rental income.  We are also making changes that may increase the amount households pay in rent.  We made these choices to ensure that MRVP and AHVP can continue to serve as many households as possible given limited funding.

These changes do not apply to federal Housing Choice Vouchers/Section 8.  If you’re unsure what subsidy your tenant has, you can review the contract you have with the housing agency or reach out the housing agency directly.  HLC cannot provide this information to you.

If you have questions about a voucher type for a specific tenant, your contracts with the housing agency, or how to request a rent increase, please contact the housing agency administering the voucher. This is the agency that makes monthly subsidy payments to you.  If you have additional concerns about MRVP or AHVP overall, please feel free to reach out to HLC at EOHLCmrvp@mass.gov. 

We appreciate your continued partnership.

Sincerely,

Danielle Bastarache
Undersecretary, Division of Public Housing and Rental Assistance

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback