Frequently Asked Questions
What does “project-based” rental assistance mean?
Project-based rental assistance means rental assistance comes with the apartment. You will pay 30% of your income toward rent and the federal government, through the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV, or Section 8)) rental assistance program, pays the difference between your payment and the actual rent charged.
How are project-based vouchers different from HCV (Section 8) tenant-based vouchers?
Under the HCV (Section 8) tenant-based program, you may select an apartment of your choice. When you move out of the apartment, you can transfer the rental assistance to another apartment of your choice.
Under the project-based voucher program, the rental assistance is tied to specific apartments. It is not a mobile subsidy that can be taken with you from place to place. If you move, you do not have any right to continued housing assistance. However, you may be eligible for a tenant-based voucher when one becomes available.
What are the benefits of participating in the project-based voucher program?
Eligible tenants always pay only 30% of their adjusted monthly income towards rent and utilities even if the rent for the apartment increases in the future.
Your apartment is inspected to ensure that it is in good condition before it may be approved for the program.
Where are these apartments located?
Project-based apartments are located in or near most major cities and towns throughout Massachusetts. For a list of apartments in your area, contact one of the agencies listed below this list of questions.
How long will I have to wait for an apartment?
Depending on the location, you may have to wait several years for a vacancy to occur.
How do I submit my pre-application for project-based assistance?
You can submit your pre-application by mail or in person at one of the locations listed. Please note that we cannot accept pre-applications by fax. When we receive your pre-application form, we will add your name to the requested waiting list(s).
What if I am already on an HCV (Section 8) waiting list?
If you are already on EOHLC’s tenant-based HCV (Section 8) waiting list, applying for a project-based apartment will not affect your position on that list. If your personal information (such as address) is different. it will be updated using the information that you provide on your most recent pre-application form.
Can I apply to multiple locations?
Yes, but please do not add your name to the list for an apartment unless you think you would really live there. Applying to every project slows down the admissions process for everyone. If you apply for an apartment that does not have an appropriate bedroom size for your family, you will not be added to that list.
After I apply, may I add or remove household members?
Once you have submitted an application, it is very important that you notify us of any change in your family that could affect the size of the apartment you need. You may add or remove people from your pre-application by submitting the change in writing to the intake department of one of the agencies listed below this list of questions. Please include your name, Social Security number, the information to be changed, and a telephone number where we can contact you.
Adding or removing household members may affect your eligibility for some apartments. If the change increases or decreases the number of bedrooms your family needs, and the locations to which you have previously applied do not have any apartments with that bedroom size, your name will be removed from that list.
May I change my waiting list choices?
Yes, you may add your name to the list for new apartments as they become available. You may also ask that your name be removed from one or more waiting lists if you no longer have an interest in that apartment. If you add your name to a list, your date of application for that apartment will be the date that your pre-application was received.
How do I change my address?
To submit a change of address in person, visit one of the locations listed and fill out a change of address form. To submit a change of address by mail, write a brief letter which includes your name, Social Security number, phone number, previous address and new address. Mail your letter to the intake department of the appropriate agency (listed below). Please note that changing your address with the United States Postal Service or with a Local Housing Authority does not change your address for the project-based voucher program. You must update your information separately at one of the agencies listed below.
What can I expect once I am selected from the waiting list?
You will receive a letter that an apartment is available and you will be instructed to contact the property owner for screening.
Property owners each have their own tenant selection standards which they use to choose suitable tenants for their rental apartments. The owner will either approve or deny your application based on their standards. If the property owner offers the apartment to you, you have five (5) days to accept the offer.
If you are approved by the owner and accept the offer, you must then complete a final HCV (Section 8) eligibility screening procedure at one of the agencies listed below. Please note that an owner may offer an apartment to more than one applicant. In that case, the applicant who first completes the final eligibility screening will be chosen to occupy the apartment.
What if I want to move?
If you live in the apartment for two full years and have been a tenant in good standing during that time, you may request that a tenant-based voucher be issued to you. If tenant-based vouchers are not available at the time of your request, you will be placed on a waiting list for a tenant-based voucher.
Can I be denied assistance?
Yes. Even if you can prove that you need housing, EOHLC and its partner agencies (listed below) are required by federal law and regulation to refuse assistance if you do not qualify.
What if I have special needs?
You may let the agency know if you have any special needs which must be accommodated either during the application process or when you are offered an apartment. Some examples of accommodations include large-print materials, apartments accessible for wheelchairs or other assistive devices, adaptive features for special appliances, and apartments in specific locations, where available. The agency will make every effort to meet your needs.
Where to get a Project-Based Voucher pre-application
For a pre-application and more information about the Project-Based Voucher (PBV) program, please contact one of the following regional agencies.
Community Teamwork, Inc. (CTI)
155 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852
978-459-0551
Lowell, Lawrence, North Shore
Hearthway (formerly Berkshire Housing Development Corp.)
1 Fenn Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201
413-499-1630
Berkshire County
Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC)
460 West Main Street, Hyannis, MA 02601
508-771-5400
Cape Cod and Islands
Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development (LHAND)
10 Church Street, Lynn, MA 01902
781-581-8600
City of Lynn
Metro Housing|Boston
1411 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02120
617-859-0400
Boston Metro Area
NeighborWorks Housing Solutions
169 Summer Street, Kingston, MA 02364
781-422-4200
Plymouth and Bristol Counties, South Shore
RCAP Solutions
191 May Street, Worcester, MA 01602
800-488-1969
Worcester County
South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC)
7 Bishop Street, Framingham, MA 01702
508-872-4853
Metro West Area
Way Finders
1780 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103
413-233-1500
Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties