Section 8/Leased Housing Rental Assistance
Qualifying Section 8/Leased Housing residents are generally low-income and must qualify as Priority One status.
In most cases Section 8/Leased Housing residents pay 30% to 40% of their total income toward rent.
There are several factors that determine if someone is eligible for Section 8/Leased Housing Rental Assistance. Your income, housing situation or priority, and immigration status are all considered. Eligibility details are contained in the BHA Administrative Plan, which is based on state and federal regulations.
There are two types of Section 8/Leased Housing programs – you can find your own apartment using the tenant-based voucher program or receive rental assistance for specific properties.
Find Your Own Apartment
Tenant-based voucher programs, also called mobile voucher, allow residents to rent an apartment or house in the private market anywhere in Boston (or other community in the United States or its territories). Residents pay approximately 30% to 40% of their income toward rent, and BHA pays the remainder directly to the landlord.
There are three tenant-based voucher programs.
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Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program: This program provides rental assistance through subsidies for eligible low-income families. Currently closed to new applicants.
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Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP): This voucher program is overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development. Currently closed to new applicants.
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Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing: The HUD-VASH program offers rental assistance to veterans referred by the Department of Veterans Affairs. For more information, view the flyer or contact Nancy Lauria at (857) 364-6753.
Rental Assistance for Specific Properties
Project-based voucher programs provide rental subsidy to specific properties.
There are two project-based voucher programs.
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The Project-Based Voucher Program (PVB): PBV provides rental assistance for specific apartments. Residents pay 30% of their income toward rent. You can learn more about PBV communities or browse the PVB map to locate properties under this program.
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Moderate Rehabilitation (Mod Rehab): Mod Rehab provides rental assistance for low-income families to live in renovated properties as part of the Mod Rehab program. Some of the Mod Rehab properties target specific populations – including substance abuse recovery, applicants seeking Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing, and those with mental illness living in shelters. You can learn more about Mod Rehab communities or browse the Mod Rehab map to locate properties under this program.
You can find out which Section 8/Leased Housing programs and communities you may qualify for by using the Housing Communities Search Tool. You can search current apartment listings accepting Section 8 voucher holders here.