Massachusetts Affordable Housing Rentals
RENTAL HOUSING IN MASSACHUSETTS
Updated 7/21/25
Definitions:
LHAs: Local Housing Authorities
In Massachusetts, Local Housing Authorities (LHAs) are public entities responsible for managing and overseeing public housing and rental assistance programs within their designated areas. They administer state and federal housing programs, including public housing units, rental assistance vouchers (like Section 8), and other initiatives aimed at increasing affordable housing.
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/local-housing-authority-contact-listing
RAAs Regional Administering Agencies:
Massachusetts Regional Administering Agencies (RAAs) are organizations that help deliver certain housing programs, including RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition), on behalf of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC).
The Mass Access Housing Register List of RAAs:
Updated list 2025
Region 1 - Berkshire Housing Authority https://upside413.org/
Region 2 – Community Teamwork (Lowell/Lawrence area) https://www.commteam.org/
Region 4 – Housing Assistance Corp (Cape & Islands) https://haconcapecod.org/
Region 5 – Wayfinders (Hampden, Hampshire & Franklin Counties) https://www.wayfinders.org/
Region 6 - Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP) (Metro Boston) www.mbhp.org
Region 7 - RCAP Solutions (Worcester Area) https://www.rcapsolutions.org/
Region 8 - South Middlesex Opportunity Council, Inc. (SMOC) (Framingham Area) https://smoc.org/
Region 9 - South Shore Housing Development Corporation (SSHDC) (South Shore) https://nhsmass.org/
What are the different types of Massachusetts Rental Housing?
Market-rate rental housing is housing that has a cost similar to housing in the same area. There are no restrictions on who can rent market-rate housing. Market-rate housing includes houses, multi-family homes, and apartments.
Affordable housing is private housing that is rented for less than other properties in the area. Affordable housing is made possible by laws that restrict rental pricing. Affordable housing is restricted to people who have low or moderate income, though the amount of rent you pay typically does not change if your income does. Many affordable housing opportunities begin with lotteries and have waiting lists. Some affordable housing is for older adults or people with disabilities, while other options are for anyone who meets income eligibility rules.
Subsidized housing is private housing where the renter has a subsidy to help pay for rent.
Housing vouchers are a major kind of housing subsidy. With a housing voucher, people with low to moderate income pay a part of their income each month towards rent. The remainder of the rent is paid by a local housing authority or Regional Administrating Agency. Some vouchers are mobile, meaning the voucher holder is the renter and it can follow the person when they move as long as they remain eligible. Other vouchers are project-based, meaning the property owner is the voucher holder and the voucher stays with the unit when the person moves. There are State Vouchers and Federal Vouchers.
State housing vouchers are for people in families with low incomes and people with disabilities who are under 60 years of age.
Federal Housing vouchers (Section 8) are for people with a limited income who are unhoused, veterans, non-elderly people with disabilities, families with children who have (Department of Children and Families (DCF) involvement, and people living with HIV or AIDS.
Public housing is housing that is owned by the local housing authority (LHA) or Regional Administrating Agency. Like subsidized housing, public housing is limited to people with low and moderate incomes who pay part of their income to rent each month.
Supportive housing is housing that comes with services that help a person stay in their home and live as independently as possible. Supportive housing is usually restricted to people with disabilities or older adults.
How do I search for:
MARKET RATE RENTAL HOUSING (PRIVATE HOUSING)
Roomies https://www.roomies.com/
Where to look for affordable housing…
Housing Navigator Massachusetts helps connect renters to affordable housing within Massachusetts through its housing search tool. The Housing Navigator website lists many affordable housing options in Massachusetts, including lotteries and waitlists.
Other Options
MassHousing finances the construction and preservation of affordable rental housing throughout Massachusetts.
The Metrolist is a clearing house for income-restricted and affordable housing opportunities in Boston and neighboring communities.
Find your Housing Consumer Education Center
Housing Consumer Education Centers of Massachusetts can help you identify other affordable housing opportunities in your area.
How do I Look for Subsidized Housing?
STATE HOUSING VOUCHERS
You can apply for State housing vouchers through the
Common Housing application for Massachusetts Programs (CHAMP)
FEDERAL HOUSING VOUCHERS
You can apply for Federal Housing vouchers through the
· Massachusetts Section 8 Centralized Waiting List
· Local Housing Authorities Contact List
· Section 8 moderate rehabilitation single room occupancy program
· HUD=Veterans Affairs supportive housing program
· The National Center for Homeless Veterans 1-877-424-3838
· Section 8 mainstream program and rental assistance for non-elderly people with disabilities
· Database of vouchers for people with disabilities
· Section 8 family unification program
· Section 8 tenant-based rental assistance program.
Search for State Public Housing
You can apply for state-aided public housing using the Common Housing Application for Massachusetts Programs (CHAMP). You can also use CHAMP to update an existing application. CHAMP is an online application. You can also apply for public housing using a printed application. Note that you do NOT need to fill out the printed CHAMP if you have already completed the online application.
Common Housing Application for Massachusetts Programs (CHAMP)
How to Apply for State Funded Public Housing
Some local housing authorities maintain their own application process and waitlist. As you apply to the CHAMP, check your list of cities and towns from Part 2. If any of those cities or towns are not on the list of participants for the CHAMP, you can call that housing authority directly to ask about their state-aided public housing opportunities.
Local Housing Authority Contact Listing
Many housing authorities set aside housing especially for seniors, families and people with special needs of any age, including some supportive housing options. You can also ask about these housing opportunities when you call the housing authority.
Federal Public Housing for people with limited income
You can use the HUD Resource Finder to search for federally funded public housing. Make sure to select ‘Find Affordable Housing Opportunities Near Me’ from the menu to identify these properties. Once you’ve located opportunities, you can call that housing authority directly to ask about their federally funded public housing application process and waitlist. Many housing authorities set aside housing especially for elderly people and people with special needs of any age. You can also ask about these housing opportunities when you call the housing authority.
SEARCH FOR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
For people who have a mental health condition
Department of Mental Health
The Department of Mental Health (DMH) serves people who have mental health condition and who need a high level of support. DMH can provide supportive housing for people who are eligible for their services, and need the level of support and structure that supportive housing can offer.
DMH offers a continuum of supportive housing options. This includes:
· Supportive services for people living in their own home or with family.
· The DMH Rental Subsidy Program, a tenant-based and provider-based housing voucher program for eligible DMH members with limited income
· Intensive group living environments (GLEs), Supervised GLEs, and Supported Independent Environments
· Assertive Treatment and Relapse Prevention (ATARP) and Housing Options Program (HOP) housing first programs
· DMH/DDS Set-Aside Program, an affordable housing program for people with low to moderate income who are eligible for DMH or Department of Developmental Disabilities services.
· Safe Havens programs, a supportive housing model that provides an alternative to shelter placement.
If you’re already eligible for DMH services and think you need additional support, you can speak to your case manager or team leader about supportive housing. If you’re not already eligible for DMH services, you can learn more about the support that DMH offers and download an application from the links below.
Private Options
There are a number of private supportive housing options for people with mental health conditions or those with special needs. These programs differ in the level of clinical and non-clinical services and support they offer.
For people who have an intellectual or developmental disability
Department of Developmental Disabilities
The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) serves people who have an intellectual or developmental disability who need a high level of support. Like DMH, DDS can provide supportive housing for people who are eligible for their services and need the level of support and structure that supportive housing can offer.
DDS also offers a continuum of supportive housing options. This includes group living environments, shared living situations, and supportive services for people living in their own home or with family. DDS also identifies people to participate in the DMH/DDS Set-Aside Program, an affordable housing program for eligible people with low to moderate income who are eligible for DDS or DMH services.
If you’re already eligible for DDS services and think you need additional support, you can speak to your case manager or team lead about supportive housing. If you’re not eligible for DDS services, you can learn more about the DDS application process from the link below.
Private Options
There are a number of private supportive housing options for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. These programs differ in the level of clinical and non-clinical services and support they offer.
Jewish Family & Children’s Service
For people with traumatic brain injuries
The Statewide Head Injury Program (SHIP) at the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission serves people who have an external traumatic brain injury who need a high level of support. SHIP offers a wide range of brain-injury-related services in community-based and group care settings. SHIP can provide supportive housing for people who are eligible for their services and need the level of support and structure that supportive housing can offer.
For people living with HIV or AIDS
There are several supportive housing programs for people living with HIV or AIDS in Massachusetts. Some programs are federally funded through the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program, while others are funded through state, local, and private sources. You can apply directly to these programs.
New Beginnings https://www.housingworks.net/program/3914
For people dealing with substance use
Sober Homes
Sober homes are programs that offer housing and support to people who are in substance use recovery. Many sober homes in Massachusetts are certified by the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing. You can use their website to find sober homes that have been certified.
Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing
For older adults and people with disabilities
Congregate Housing
Congregate Housing is a shared living arrangement that combines housing and services for older adults and people with disabilities. It’s a good opportunity for people who do not feel comfortable living alone and need less than 24 hours of care or supervision. You can learn more about congregate care by contacting a provider directly.
AGE Congregate Housing Contractors & Site Listings (as of January 2025)
Ayer, Silas Nutting (7 residents)
Contractor: Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts (978) 537-7411, CHC_SilasNutting@asncm.org
Barnstable, Captain Eldridge (20 residents)
Contractor: Barnstable Housing Authority (508) 771-7222, captaineldridgehouse@bha.barnstable.ma.us
Beverly, Upton Place (12 residents)
Contractor: SeniorCare (978) 281-1750, CHC_UptonPlace@seniorcareinc.org
Boston, St. Helena (9 residents)
Contractor: Bay Cove (617) 371-3000, housingcoordinator@baycove.org
Boston, Talbot House (9 residents)
Contractor: Bay Cove (617) 371-3000, housingcoordinator@baycove.org
Braintree, Highland Green (19 residents)
Contractor: South Shore Elder Services (781) 848-3910, SCHC@sselder.org
Bridgewater, Heritage Circle (10 residents)
Contractor: Old Colony Elder Services (508) 584-1561, oceshousingprograms@ocesma.org
Brockton: Ann Ward House (6 residents)
Contractor: Brockton Housing Authority (508) 588-6880, chc_annward@brocktonha.com
Chatham, Captain Bearse (19 residents)
Contractor: Chatham Housing Authority (508) 945-0478, info@chathamha.org
Dracut, Dracut Congregate (8 residents)
Contractor: AgeSpan (978) 683-7747, CongregateHousing@AgeSpan.org
East Longmeadow, McLaren House (15 residents)
Contractor: Greater Springfield Senior Services (413) 781-8800, GSSSI.Congregate@gsssi.org
Franklin, Therron Metcalf (4residents)
Contractor: Tri-Valley Inc. (508) 949-6640, housing@tves.org
Gardner, Martin Walsh (12 residents)
Contractor: Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts (978) 537-7411, CHC_MartinWalsh@asncm.org
Greenfield, Morgan Allen (19 residents)
Contractor: LifePath (413) 773-5555, winslowwentworth@lifepathma.org
Hingham, Hingham Congregate (6 residents)
Contractor: South Shore Elder Services (781) 848-3910, SCHC@sselder.org
Holyoke, Raymond P. Murphy Congregate House (20 residents)
Contractor: WestMass Elder Care (413) 538-9020, CHC_RaymondMurphy@wmeldercare.org
Lynn, Olive Street (19 residents)
Contractor: Greater Lynn Senior Services (781) 599-0110, chc_olivestreet@glss.net
Marshfield, Grace Ryder Housing (11 residents)
Contractor: Old Colony Elder Services (508) 584-1561, oceshousingprograms@ocesma.org
Methuen, Rachel Corliss (21 residents)
Contractor: AgeSpan (978) 683-7747, CongregateHousing@AgeSpan.org
Millbury, Millbury Congregate (23 residents)
Contractor: Millbury Housing Authority (508) 865-2660, mha-congregate@millburyha.net
New Bedford: Grinell Mansion Congregate Home (17 residents)
Contractor: Coastline Elderly Services (508) 999-6400, CHC_GrinnellMansion@coastlinenb.org
Newton, Nonantum Congregate (10 residents)
Contractor: Springwell (617) 926-4100, Housing@springwell.com
North Andover, O’Connor Heights (10 residents)
Contractor: AgeSpan (978) 683-7747, CongregateHousing@AgeSpan.org
Oxford, Colonial Valley (8 residents)
Contractor: Tri-Valley Inc. (508) 949-6640, housing@tves.org
Peabody, Farnsworth (12 residents)
Contractor: AgeSpan (978) 750-4540, CongregateHousing@AgeSpan.org
Peabody, Seeglitz (12 residents)
Contractor: AgeSpan (978) 750-4540, CongregateHousing@AgeSpan.org
Salem, J. Michael Ruane (14 residents)
Contractor: AgeSpan (978) 750-4540, CongregateHousing@AgeSpan.org
Sandwich: Hansen Village (8 residents)
Contractor: Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands (508) 394-4630, CHC_HansenVillage@escci.org
Spencer, Spencer Congregate (9residents)
Contractor: Tri-Valley Inc. (508) 949-6640, housing@tves.org
Springfield, Robert Morris (5 residents)
Contractor: Greater Springfield Senior Services (413) 781-8800, GSSSI.Congregate@gsssi.org
Stoughton, A. Silva House (19 residents)
Contractor: Old Colony Elder Services (508) 584-1561, oceshousingprograms@ocesma.org
Turner Falls, Winslow Wentworth (17 residents)
Contractor: LifePath (413) 773-5555, winslowwentworth@lifepathma.org
Tyngsboro, Red Pines Terrace (4 residents)
Contractor: AgeSpan (978) 683-7747, CongregateHousing@AgeSpan.org
Wakefield, Lincoln School House (15 residents)
Contractor: Wakefield Housing Authority (781) 245-7328, CHC_LincolnSchool@wakefieldhousing.org
Waltham, Waltham Congregate (20 residents)
Contractor: Springwell (617) 926-4100, Housing@springwell.com
Winchedon, Martin Ready (10 residents)
Contractor: Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts (978) 537-7411, CHC_MartinReady@asncm.org
Worcester, Curran Terrace (12 residents)
Contractor: Elder Services of Worcester Area (508) 756-1545, CHC_ESWA@eswa.org
MASSHEALTH
MassHealth offers a few bundled and unbundled support options for eligible members.
Adult Family Care (AFC – sometimes called Adult Foster Care) is a service for elders and people with disabilities who cannot live safely on their own. Typically, with AFC, non-professional caregivers are paid to provide support to the person within their or the person’s home. To be eligible for AFC, the person must have MassHealth and need help with at least one activity of daily living. To find out more about AFC, you can contact an AFT provider agency.
The Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program helps people with disabilities live independently in their community. A PCA can help you with bathing, dressing, grooming, taking medications, eating, toileting, and other daily tasks. You need to be evaluated prior to accessing PCA services. You can contact a Personal Care Management Agency to learn more about PCA services and the evaluation process.
Personal Care Management Agencies
If you have MassHealth and Medicare, you may be able to access additional in-home support by enrolling in a One Care or Senior Care Option plan, or the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly.
One Care – MassHealth and Medicare plan for people 18 – 64
Senior Care Options – MassHealth and Medicare plan for people 65 and older
Assisted Living, Rest Homes, and Nursing Homes
If you need day-to-day supervision or care, a rest home or nursing home may be an option. A rest home provides 24-hour supervision, meals, activities, and more for residents. A nursing home provides these services plus 24-hour nursing care. If you’re thinking about a rest home or nursing home, your local Options Counseling program can help you understand these care options and more. Options Counseling is a free program to help adults 60+ , adults living with a disability, and their family members and caregivers.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Massachusetts https://www.mass.gov/assisted-living-residences
MARCH Rest Home Directory Massachusetts Association of Residential Care Homes
Massachusetts Senior Care Association Directory
For people with disabilities
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Home Care Assistance Program
The Home Care Assistance Program provides homemaking services to people with disabilities between the age of 18 and 59. A homemaker can help with meal preparation, grocery shopping, medication pickup, and light housekeeping.
For older adults
Aging Services Access Point (ASAP)
ASAP’s provide programs and services designed to support adults over the age of 60 and their caregivers to help them remain in the community. ASAP’s can include help with personal care, housework, meal preparation, grocery shopping, laundry, and more. Contact your local Aging Services Access Point to learn more about Home Care Services.
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Much of this material was sourced from the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Mass Compass Housing Guide.