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How to Start Looking for Affordable Housing in Massachusetts

Looking for affordable housing in Massachusetts can feel overwhelming. There are many programs—and they all have different rules. This guide breaks down step by step how to look for affordable rental housing.

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✅ Step 1: Know the 3 Main Types of Affordable Rental Housing

"Affordable" rental housing is housing made more affordable through different laws and government investments. It serves a wide variety of households who typically make less than the average income in their area. It aims to keep the tenant's share of rent to about 30% of their income. 

The most common types of affordable rental housing in Massachusetts are:

  • Public Housing: Apartments owned by local housing authorities. If you qualify, you pay around 30% of your income toward rent.
  • Housing Vouchers: Help you pay rent for a private apartment. If you qualify, you pay around 30% of your income toward rent.
  • Private Affordable Housing: Apartments owned by private housing developers or landlords offered at lower rents.  In most cases, rents do not change with your income. If your income is very low , apartments with rent based on income (like public housing and vouchers) may be more affordable than private affordable housing. Private affordable housing can work well with housing vouchers.

📑 Different programs have their own application processes and rules. Many people apply to more than one to improve their chances, especially since waitlists can be years long. 

(Note: This page focuses on rental housing. If you want to buy an affordable home, check out MyMassHome.org. If you need emergency housing help, find out about the RAFT program.) 

✅ Step 2: Understand What Makes You Eligible

Most programs look at:

  • Your household income
  • How many people live with you
  • Other factors like age or disability

What to know about Income Eligibility:

To figure out if you qualify for certain housing programs, your income is compared to something called the Area Median Income (AMI). Median Income is the income level that is right in the middle of the incomes for your area, which means there are equal numbers of households above and below the median. 

If you make less than the median (like 30% of AMI, 50% of AMI or 80% of AMI), you may qualify for affordable housing. 

Tips to get started:

  • 🔎You don’t need to know your exact % AMI to start— but having an idea can really help!
  • 💬Don't count yourself out! Affordable housing helps people with a wide variety of incomes. If you're not clear, ask the program or property manager about their eligibility standards.
  • 📪If you live in a high-income area, the maximum income maybe higher than you think (to account for higher housing costs).

✅ Step 3: Start Searching

You don’t need to pick just one program—apply to several to improve your chances. Although many programs have waitlists that are years long, your journey doesn’t start until you apply! 

Here’s how to start searching:

1. 🔍 See What's Available: Use the Housing Navigator Massachusetts search tool

  • It's a free search tool for affordable housing. You can search by location, income, family size, and more. It will show you how to apply.

2. 🗃️ Apply Online for some State Programs with CHAMP 

  • For state-funded public housing and rental vouchers, you can apply online using the Common Housing Application for MA Programs (CHAMP).
  • CHAMP allows you to apply for housing in many different cities/towns throughout the Commonwealth.  

3. 🏢 Contact Local Housing Authorities (LHAs) 

4. 🏫 Contact Regional Administering Agencies (RAAs) 

👉Note: In Person help is available. You can get help with applications at Local Housing Authorities (LHAs) and Regional Administering Agencies (RAAs) if an accommodation is needed. Use our look up tool to find a local LHA or RAA. 

👉Looking for housing now? If you are looking for a market rate apartment while waiting for affordable housing or have a voucher and need to find an apartment, check out Apartment Hunting Tips for Renters in Massachusetts  

Remember that you apply for state-funded and federally-funded opportunities separately. For example, if you apply for federally-funded public housing, you can still apply for state-funded public housing via CHAMP.

✅ Step 4: Apply to Private Affordable Housing - Lotteries and Waitlists

Note: If you need a more affordable option, focus your efforts on opportunities with rent based on income (RBI), like vouchers and public housing.

✅ Step 5: Be Patient and Keep Track

  • 📝Given waitlists can be long, you can apply for other opportunities in the meantime.
  • 📁Keep a list of where you applied and any paperwork you submitted.
    • Tip: Start collecting documents early—it can take time to get things like birth certificates or proof of disability. You will also likely need ID, proof of income, rental history and bank statement or tax returns.
  • 📍Make sure to update your application, if your address or situation changes. Many waitlists will confirm you're interested every few years via mail. If you miss the letter, you could lose your place.
  • 📞Respond quickly if a program contacts you.

✅ Step 6: Get Help If You Need It

Affordable housing can be quite confusing, so you likely will have questions! Don't be shy to ask: 

🔁 Reminder: It’s OK to Start Without All the Answers 

Just start your search and apply to more than one option, keep track of your progress, and get help when you need it.

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