Housing Search
Index
- What is affordable housing?
- How to know if I meet the income thresholds?
- Lottery for Affordable Housing
Here you will find resources about what affordable housing is, how to find affordable housing, how to find public housing, and how to do a general housing search
Affordable Housing
What is "affordable housing"?
Housing is considered to be affordable if total housing costs (rent or mortgage, plus utilities, taxes, insurance, etc.) are no more than 30% of a household’s gross income.
The state or federal government designates an apartment as “affordable housing” based on deed restrictions limiting the rent. Most apartment complexes of 8 units or more are required to set aside a certain number of units as “affordable housing.” These units have reduced rent and can be accessed through lotteries and have eligibility requirements such as 60 or 80% Area Median Income (AMI).
How to know if I meet the income thresholds?
To learn more about the current income limits used to determine eligibility for housing programs, click here:
Housing Programs Income and Rent Limits | Boston.gov
Lottery for Affordable Housing
What is a lottery for housing? Lotteries are to decide who gets apartments that are set aside as ‘affordable.’ in each apartment complex. This can be done for 2 reasons:
- Private, subsidized affordable housing is privately developed, owned, and operated and is often created by a private non-profit organization that aims to provide affordable housing, like WATCH. Such properties are deed restricted to keep rents or mortgage payments affordable for the long term.
- Privately developed affordable housing was created by for-profit companies as part of a mandated program to create affordable housing.
How Do I Find Affordable Housing?
Here are some search sites to find affordable units. Look closely at the income thresholds and minimum rent to see if they would be a good fit for your household before taking the time to apply.
Affordable Housing Search Sites:
MassHousing Navigator - A comprehensive online resource that helps residents of Massachusetts find affordable housing options, providing tools, information, and assistance to navigate the complex housing market in the state.
Housing Works - Housing Works is a searchable database by town of affordable and subsidized units.
Citizens Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) - CHAPA is the non-profit umbrella organization for affordable housing and community development activities throughout Massachusetts. The CHAPA website is for people looking to buy a home. First-time home buyers courses will also need to be taken to apply in many cases.
MyMassHome- The official online listing and search tool for accessible and affordable homeownership opportunities in Massachusetts.
Metrolist - Use this link to find affordable housing in Boston and the greater Boston area. You can search for current units available and sign up for the Metrolist email list to receive updates when new affordable units are listed.
MassHousing - Use this link to search for affordable housing. Use this link to search for workforce housing developments - housing that is available for those who earn too much to qualify for traditional affordable housing but cannot afford market rents.
MetroHousing- Use this link to search for affordable housing.
MCOHousing Services - This website helps to search for quality, affordable homes in Eastern Massachusetts. They represent developers and landlords to aid in matching you to homes “for sale” which generally range from $175,000 to $275,000, and apartments generally rent from $1,300 per month and up.
Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership - MBHP also offers many other services, but these are apartment listings for no-fee apartments meant to reach the community that needs affordable housing.
The Housing Consumer Education Center of Massachusetts - offers a wealth of resources for people on all sides of housing. Contact their resource line for help finding housing: call (617) 425-6700 or email at ResourceLine@mbhp.org
MassAccess: The Accessible Housing Registry
These affordable homes and apartments throughout Massachusetts are also geared towards people with disabilities (“barrier-free housing). To use the site, fill out the “Quick Search” questions on the home page. With this site, broader answers to the questions are better because of the limited postings.
Metro West Collaborative Development
The site offers many other services for renters and landlords etc. They also offer a few postings of affordable units for rent.
SEBHousing - Use this link to find affordable housing opportunities that accept lottery applications.
MetroWest CD - To be qualified to enter a lottery MetroWest is running, you must be in our Ready Renter Program. If you are not a Ready Renter Member, please complete a Ready Renter Program Pre-Application. If you are already a Ready Renter Member and would like to be added to a lottery MetroWest is running, please call Barbara at 617-923-3505 ext. 8, or email barbara@metrowestcd.org and request a “Lottery Entry Form” to be sent to you.
Metrolist - Use this link to find affordable housing in Boston and the greater Boston area. You can search for current units available and sign up for the Metrolist email list to receive updates when new affordable units are listed.
Public Housing
Please note that ALL state public housing must now be applied to through CHAMP's website. The tenant must create and apply for public housing through CHAMP to be considered.
Massachusetts Housing Authorities' Locations and Contact Information - List of housing authorities’ locations and contact information in MA. Waltham residents can pick up applications for federal housing here. Business Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 am- 4:30 pm. Call 781-894-3357. Address 110 Pond Street, Waltham, MA, 02154.
Rental Vouchers
A voucher allows a tenant to live in market-rate housing at a reduced rate.
Section 8 Voucher Program - For details about the list and how to apply click on the following link.
MRVP (Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program) - For general questions, please contact the Division of Rental Assistance at (617) 573-1100 extension 4.
Housing Applications - Guidance for standard public housing applications, emergency housing applications, and to learn about Section 8 Voucher.
Senior Housing
- Search for senior-specific housing by type (varying levels of care) and location.
- Apply for “elderly housing” priority (60+) online through CHAMP or in person at a local housing authority.
Congregate Housing- Shared Community Living Spaces
- Must contact Congregate Housing Contractors and follow their application process
- About Congregate Housing & Eligibility
- Contacts for Congregate Housing Contractors
Housing Navigator
- Website
- Filter search for “age restricted”
- Click on “view listing” and contact the management company to apply
Case Management for Seniors:
Handicap Accessible Affordable Housing
Housing Navigator MA- The official online listing and search tool for accessible and affordable rental homes in Massachusetts.
MyMassHome- The official online listing and search tool for accessible and affordable homeownership opportunities in Massachusetts.
ApartmentGuide.com - Under "Special Features," select "Disability Access."
Apartments.com - After searching for your desired location, click to open the menu under "Amenities"; then select the options which best fit the needs of your disability.
ForRent.com - Under "Community Amenities," select "Disability Access."
MyNewPlace.com - Select "Search by Amenities," and then under "Special Features," select "Disability Access."
Rentals.com - After searching for your desired location, select "More", then select "Disability Access" under "Amenities".
Fair Housing
Fair Housing - If you want to learn more about fair housing or believe that you have been discriminated against in your search for housing, you can find resources on this website.
Need to Find Emergency Shelter? For information on emergency shelters, click here.
General Housing Search
Resource: How To Do A General Housing Search on Craigslist
Resource: How To Do A General Housing Search on Hotpads
General Housing Search Sites
Zillow - A widely used website to buy, rent, sell, and find loans for houses.
Trulia - Find apartments available for rent in Waltham
Apartment Guide - A website that helps you to find and filter apartments up to your needs.
Padmapper - Easily search apartments for rent across the US and Canada
Apartments.com - A widely used website to find apartments for rent.
My New Place - Search for housing opportunities by cities and zipcodes.
People with Pets - Search to find pet-friendly housing opportunities.
Home Finder - Find real estate and homes near you
Homes.com - Search to find houses and agency
Apartment List - Rental apartment search site
Walk Score - Find life resource and guidance by your neighborhood
For Rent - Rental apartment search site
Apartment Finder - Rental apartment search site
Apartment Search - Rental apartment search site
MySmartrenter - Verify Landlord Information through MySmartrenter
Craigslist - Roommate search
Roommates.com - Website that helps you find roommates and rooms for rent near you
JumpOffCampus - Search by college or university. Also a good way for current student renters to find other students to sublet (in cooperation with the landlord).