Overview
There are 3 types of low-rent housing:
- Public housing is owned and run by a local housing authority.
- A voucher is rental assistance to help people find an apartment in the private market.
- Multifamily subsidized housing is owned by a private landlord or corporation that has received government subsidies to provide affordable housing.
Best bet
A guide to obtaining housing assistance, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.
This reference guide is for Massachusetts residents seeking information on housing for low- and moderate-income families and individuals. Includes information on state aided public housing, rental assistance, homelessness prevention, resources for victims of domestic violence, and home ownership opportunities.
Massachusetts laws
MGL c.23B, § 25, § 26, and § 27 Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities
MGL c.121B Housing and urban renewal
Massachusetts regulations
760 CMR Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities
Federal laws
42 USC 1401-1440 Low-income housing
42 USC 13663 Ineligibility of dangerous sex offenders for admission to public housing
Federal regulations
24 CFR:
- § 5 General HUD program requirements; waivers
- §§ 5.850 et seq. Preventing crime in federally assisted housing—denying admission and terminating tenancy for criminal activity or alcohol abuse
- § 247 Evictions from certain subsidized and HUD-owned projects
- §§ 800-899 Section 8 Housing Assistance Programs, Section 202 Direct Loan Program, Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program and Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Program
- §§ 900-999 Additional housing assistance programs
- §§ 965.651-965.653 Smoke-free public housing
Selected cases
Commonwealth v. Nelson, 74 Mass. App. Ct. 629 (2009)
"A Boston Municipal Court judge erred in finding the criminal defendant guilty of trespassing, where the defendant was found to be passing through the halls of Boston Housing Authority property in order to reach a tenant's apartment at the tenant's invitation, and there was no evidence that the defendant had lingered or loitered in the hall."
Garcia v. Dept. of Housing and Community Development, 480 Mass. 736 (2018)
The DHCD was not required to use motels to address ADA accommodation for emergency shelter for people who qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ADA requires an individualized and fact-specific inquiry as to what constitutes a reasonable accommodation.
Web sources
2022 HUD housing resource and rental assistance guide for Massachusetts, U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development.
This reference guide is for Massachusetts residents seeking information on housing for low-and moderate-income families and individuals. Includes information on state aided public housing, rental assistance, homelessness prevention, resources for victims of domestic violence, and home ownership opportunities.
Affordable housing, Mass.gov.
Find information about public housing, rental assistance programs, emergency housing, and other state resources to help you find safe and secure shelter.
Applying for Emergency Assistance shelter: A guide for families, Mass. Law Reform Institute and Rosie's Place, October 2015. Also available in Spanish.
"Emergency Assistance is the shelter system for families in Massachusetts..." Pregnant women and families with children are eligible...You have to show you are homeless because of domestic violence, fire, flood or natural disaster, or certain kinds of eviction that were not your fault." There are several more requirements to be eligible. The guide explains these requirements and how to apply for shelter.
Chapter 40B affordable housing: Frequently asked questions, CHAPA.org.
An explanation of the affordable housing law and help in finding a home.
Housing choice voucher program administrative plan, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, October 2020.
This 400+ page book outlines policies and procedures for Section 8 tenant-based programs, including topics such as fair housing, eligibility, discrimination, etc.
Housing Navigator Massachusetts
"We develop technology that promotes housing equity and ... brings transparency to the affordable housing market. Working with owners and public sector partners, we’ve built a database of income-restricted rentals from all over the state. Search for housing here."
Housing search guide for people with disabilities in Massachusetts, Chapa.org.
A guide for disabled renters in Massachusetts, providing step-by-step assistance for your search.
Income and rent limits 2022, Mass. Affordable Housing Program.
Lists limits for the HUD assisted housing programs and tax subsidies. There is no asset limit for families seeking public housing assistance.
Mass. Legal Help Housing booklets and information:
- Finding housing
Housing programs, how to apply, who is eligible, who has priority, waiting lists, tenant screening, challenging a denial, section 8 vouchers, immigrants and housing, reasonable accommodations. - Creating a Memorandum of Understanding
"Agreements called "Memorandum of Understanding" (MOU) can be powerful tools for public housing tenant groups to negotiate how to work with the housing authority on issues of concern. This booklet explains the law, what steps to take to create an MOU, and includes a sample MOU." - Reasons for denial
Answers questions about when you can be denied public housing. - Rent in public housing
"This booklet will give you answers to questions about how rents are set in both state and federal public housing in Massachusetts." - Transfers in public housing
"A booklet for tenants in Mass. about how to request a transfer to another apartment and what to do if a housing authority requires you transfer." - Understanding your lease in public housing
"A know your rights guide for public housing tenants in Massachusetts" - Using your public housing grievance process
A booklet for tenants in Mass. about the grievance process, including worksheets to help you prepare for a grievance hearing. - What types of public housing are there?
"There are different types of public housing programs in Massachusetts. Some are for families. Some are specifically for seniors and people with disabilities. Some are funded by the federal government, and some by the state government. A housing authority may offer different types of public housing. For this reason, it is important to figure out what type of public housing you are applying for or live in and who funds it to figure out what your rights are."
Public housing occupancy guidebook, U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development.
This guide to public housing covers civil rights and nondiscrimination requirements, eligibility for admission, waiting list administration, applicant selection criteria, occupancy guidelines, processing applications, verification standards, tenant selection and assignment plan, leasing requirements, income and program rents, transfers, annual reexamination of income and family circumstances, interim rent adjustments, utilities, community service and self-sufficiency, pet policies, general public housing lease requirements, grievance procedure, and domestic violence.
Smoke-free public housing, U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development.
Includes a Guidebook for landlords as well as a checklist and information for residents on health and quitting smoking.
Contact for Massachusetts law about public and subsidized housing
Online
| Last updated: | July 21, 2023 |
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