The elderly/handicapped housing program (Chapter 667) provides housing for qualified low-income elderly and handicapped persons, as defined in Massachusetts General Law Chapter 121B.
Family Low Income Housing is designed to provide housing opportunities or low-income families throughout Massachusetts. The family housing program, Chapter 200 and Chapter 705, creates public housing for low-income families by “constructing new units and/or acquiring existing homes or condominium units.” Chapter 200 housing units are located in developments while Chapter 705 is scattered-site housing located in smaller buildings throughout a city or town. Eligible families must earn 80% or less of the AMI of the community chosen. The household’s income is determined by totaling the income of all household members over 18 years of age.
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP), administered by MHA, is a mobile housing subsidy made available by the federal government. This subsidy helps low-income households rent in the private market and can be used anywhere in the country. Section 8 Vouchers cover the difference between the Payment Standard for an area and the tenant’s actual share of rent, so that tenants usually pay 30% to 40% of their income towards housing costs.
The Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) is a state-funded subsidy program. The program, overseen by DHCD’s Division of Public Housing and Rental Assistance, offers both tenant-based (Mobile) and project-based rental subsidies as solution to unaffordable rental costs. Not all agencies administer Mobile and Project-Based programs.
To be eligible for Mobile or project-based vouchers, a household must have a net income (after
allowable deductions) at or below 80% of the AMI and undergo CORI screening.