Section 8 in Massachusetts: Housing Authorities and How to Apply

Section 8 (the Housing Choice Voucher program) is run by local public housing agencies (PHAs). You apply to the agency that serves where you want to live; many keep waiting lists that open only at times. Here are the agencies serving Massachusetts's largest areas, from HUD's official contact list and each agency's site.

Is it illegal for a Massachusetts landlord to refuse Section 8? Yes. It is unlawful to discriminate against a recipient of public assistance or a tenant receiving housing subsidies, including rental assistance or rental supplements, because of that status or because of any requirement of the assistance or subsidy program. This covers Section 8 and MRVP. G.L. c. 151B, § 4(10)

Housing authorities in Massachusetts

• Boston Housing Authority (BHA) — Boston, Suffolk County
  Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8), City of Boston Voucher Program
  Phone: (617) 988-4000 (HUD listing); applicant status line (617) 988-3400
  How to apply / waiting list
• Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) — Cambridge, Middlesex County
  Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher
  Phone: (617) 864-3020
  How to apply / waiting list
• Lowell Housing Authority — Lowell, Middlesex County
  Public Housing
  Phone: (978) 364-5311
• Worcester Housing Authority (WHA) — Worcester, Worcester County
  Public Housing, Section 8 Leased Housing
  Phone: 508-635-3000
  How to apply / waiting list
• Springfield Housing Authority — Springfield, Hampden County
  Public Housing, Rental Assistance (vouchers)
  Phone: (413) 785-4500
• Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development (LHAND) — Lynn, Essex County
  Leased Housing (Housing Choice Voucher), RAFT, Tenant-based rental assistance
  Phone: (781) 581-8600
• Lawrence Housing Authority (LHA) — Lawrence, Essex County
  Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8), MRVP, Federal Public Housing, State-Aided Public Housing
  Phone: (978) 685-3811 (HUD listing)
  How to apply / waiting list — Federal public housing family waiting list (1-4 bedrooms) open until further notice (as of 2026-10-24)
• Quincy Housing Authority — Quincy, Norfolk County
  Public Housing, Section 8 / Leased Housing
  Phone: 617-847-4350
  How to apply / waiting list
• Brockton Housing Authority — Brockton, Plymouth County
  Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher
  Phone: (508) 588-6880 (HUD listing)
• Fall River Housing Authority (FRHA) — Fall River, Bristol County
  Federal Public Housing, State-Aided Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher
  Phone: (508) 675-3500 (HUD listing)
  How to apply / waiting list
• New Bedford Housing Authority — New Bedford, Bristol County
  Phone: (508) 997-4800 (HUD listing)
• Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) - state Section 8 program — Boston
  Housing Choice Voucher (administered through regional administering agencies), MRVP
  Phone: (617) 573-1250 (HUD listing)
• Metro Housing|Boston (EOHLC regional administering agency) — Boston, Suffolk County, Middlesex County, Norfolk County
  Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8), MRVP, RAFT
  Phone: 617-859-0400; toll-free 800-272-0990
• Way Finders (EOHLC regional administering agency) — Springfield, Hampden County
  RAFT, Emergency and rental assistance, Housing search help
  Phone: (413) 233-1500
• RCAP Solutions (EOHLC regional administering agency) — Worcester, Worcester County
  Section 8 and voucher programs, Rental assistance
  Phone: (800) 488-1969
• NeighborWorks Housing Solutions (EOHLC regional administering agency) — Kingston, Plymouth County, Bristol County, Norfolk County
  MA voucher program (leased housing), RAFT
  Phone: 781-422-4200 (Kingston); 617-770-2227 (Quincy, Brockton)
• Community Teamwork (EOHLC regional administering agency) — Lowell, Middlesex County, Essex County
  Housing supports / rental subsidies
  Phone: 978-459-0551

Source: HUD public housing agency contact list. Check the agency's own site before applying; waiting lists open and close.

Statewide housing agency

MassHousing — Finances and oversees affordable rental communities statewide and offers renter resources for finding an affordable apartment; state rental vouchers and RAFT are run by EOHLC through regional agencies.

Help paying rent in Massachusetts

• Massachusetts Section 8 Centralized Waiting List — One application for a Section 8 voucher shared by over 100 participating local housing authorities; open indefinitely
• CHAMP (Common Housing Application for Massachusetts Programs) — State online application for state-aided public housing and state-funded rental vouchers (not federal programs)
• RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition) — State emergency help with back rent, moving costs and utilities, applied for through regional agencies such as Metro Housing|Boston

How to apply

1. Find the housing authority for the city or county where you want to live (list above).
2. Check whether its voucher waiting list is open; many open for short windows or use a lottery.
3. Apply only through the agency's official site or office. Applying is free — no one may charge you to get on a list.
4. Keep your contact information current with the agency so you do not lose your place.
5. When a voucher is issued, you find a rental whose rent fits the agency's payment standard and that passes inspection.

Rent levels (HUD Fair Market Rent) and local help by county

• Middlesex County (Cambridge / Lowell)
• Suffolk County (Boston)
• Worcester County (Worcester)
• Essex County (Lynn / Lawrence)
• Norfolk County (Quincy)
• Bristol County (New Bedford / Fall River)
• Hampden County (Springfield)
• Plymouth County (Brockton, Plymouth)
• Barnstable County
• Hampshire County
• Berkshire County (Pittsfield)

Massachusetts tenant rights · Free legal help in Massachusetts · Section 8 in other states

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.