Resources for finding affordable housing
How long is the wait for BHA housing? It depends on the number of vacancies that occur, as well as how many applicants are before you on the waiting list, and your eligibility for a priority or preference. The average wait for some may be only a few months but for others it could be many years. Applicants should consider applying to many public housing authorities and other affordable housing programs.
The following agencies provide information helpful in locating and applying for affordable housing as well as for home ownership programs.
Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) - www.mass.gov/dhcd/ - 617-573-1100
DHCD administers the state’s public housing and rental assistance housing programs. They have an excellent website with a helpful resource entitled, “How to Obtain Housing Assistance in Massachusetts” as well as several other very informative web pages. The State rules and regulations governing housing authorities can also be found on this site.
MassHousing – www.masshousing.org - 617-854-1000
MassHouisng is an independent authority created by the Massachusetts legislature to finance the creation and preservation of affordable housing. It publishes an extremely helpful book listing the affordable and mixed-income housing developments (other than housing authorities) located throughout Massachusetts. The book entitled “Housing List” is free. Call the number listed above or click here.
Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) - www.chapa.org – 617-742-0820
CHAPA is an umbrella organization dedicated to addressing affordable-housing needs.
The Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) – www.mhp.net – 617-330-9955
MHP works with communities, developers and home buyers to create and preserve affordable housing and to promote home ownership.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - www.hud.gov – 617-994-8200
HUD has information on federally subsidized programs. For the rules and regulations governing the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Sect. 8) see www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/about/fact_sheet.cfm.
MassAccess, the Accessible Housing Registry – www.massaccesshousingregistry.org
MassAccess helps people with disabilities find accessible, barrier-free rental housing in Massachusetts. It is based at CHAPA.
Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance (MAHA) - www.MassAffordableHomes.org
MAHA offers services for first-time homebuyers such as home buying workshops, credit and budget counseling, etc. It also has a an online searchable database of all affordable home ownership opportunities in the state.
Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP) - www.mbhp.org
MBHP works with service providers and neighborhood-based organizations to help low- and moderate-income individuals and families in finding and retaining decent affordable housing.
Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) - ci.boston.ma.us/bra/affordhousing/AH.asp
The BRA offers reduced rental or purchase price units for eligible low- and moderate-income households in market-rate housing developments.
Habitat for Humanity - www.habitatboston.com
Habitate for Humanity is dedicated to building decent, affordable homes in partnership with very low-income families.