Arlington Housing Authority
Arlington, Massachusetts
Last Updated
2 hours ago
About Arlington Housing Authority
Arlington Housing Authority (HUD agency code MA048) is the public housing agency serving Arlington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It administers 427 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 10 waiting lists at this agency, covering AHVP, MRVP, HCV, Mainstream, PBV, Public Housing, RAD, Other. As of Jun 4, 2026, 2 are open and 5 are closed. Status is unconfirmed for 3 further lists.
Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $82,700 per year, and as Low Income at or below $132,300 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.
Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 16 status changes at this agency, most recently on Aug 28, 2026. Always confirm current status with the agency directly before applying.
Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) Waitlist
Status
open
Additional Notes
The AHVP program provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Arlington.
Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
A state-administered program providing tenant-based mobile housing assistance to low-income families. The Arlington Housing Authority currently has 8 MRVP Vouchers. Household income must not exceed established limits.
Other Programs
6 programsThese programs are administered by this housing authority but do not have active waitlist openings at this time. Statuses are verified nightly and subscribers will be notified when changes are detected.
Although there are waiting lists for the Section 8 Program, interested persons are encouraged to inquire about their eligibility.
Mainstream Vouchers provide rental assistance specifically for non-elderly persons with disabilities. The program helps individuals transition out of institutional settings or avoid institutionalization by subsidizing housing costs in the private market.
Project-Based Vouchers are tied to specific housing units rather than following the tenant. Landlords or developers partner with the housing authority to reserve units for eligible low-income families. Unlike tenant-based HCV vouchers, PBV assistance stays with the unit if the tenant moves.
For Senior State Public Housing, when a vacancy occurs, an applicant is selected from the waiting list. Priority may be given to Veterans and persons residing or working in Arlington. For Family State Public Housing, priority may be given to persons who have recently experienced a natural tragedy, or who are being evicted due to governmental action or who are homeless through no fault of their own. Preference may be given to Veterans and persons residing or working in Arlington.
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance, allowing housing authorities to leverage private funding for property rehabilitation while preserving long-term affordability for residents.
The Authority sponsors a residential home for thirteen developmentally disabled adults in cooperation with state mental health agencies. Information can be obtained by contacting the Authority.
The Authority sponsors a residential home for thirteen developmentally disabled adults. More information about this type of housing may be obtained from the Authority.
The Authority sponsors a residential home for thirteen developmentally disabled adults, and more information can be obtained by contacting the Authority directly.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Arlington Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING
Contact Information
Important Notices
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Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.
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Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.
How to Apply at Arlington Housing Authority
Check Current Status
Arlington Housing Authority currently has 2 open waiting lists (Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP), Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP)). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Arlington Housing Authority, you will typically need: government-issued photo ID for all adult household members, Social Security cards for all members, birth certificates for minors, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters), and proof of current address. For a family of four, income must be below $82,700/year to qualify in this area. Having these ready before the waitlist opens can make the difference between getting on the list and missing the window.
Submit Your Application
Apply directly through the official Arlington Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Arlington Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Arlington Housing Authority manages approximately 427 assisted housing units (427 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Arlington. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Arlington Housing Authority
AHVP Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) open
The Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) program at Arlington Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Arlington. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
MRVP Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) open
The Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) program at Arlington Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Arlington. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Arlington Housing Authority provides rental assistance that allows you to choose any privately-owned rental unit that meets program requirements. You pay approximately 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the remainder up to the Fair Market Rent for Arlington. This program serves approximately 427 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Arlington Housing Authority are specifically designated for non-elderly individuals with disabilities. These vouchers work like standard HCVs but are reserved for this population and often have separate, shorter waitlists.
PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Arlington Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Arlington. Unlike the standard Housing Choice Voucher, PBV assistance stays with the property — not with you. However, after one year of occupancy, you may request a standard portable voucher. PBV waitlists often move faster because fewer applicants know about them.
Public Housing Public Housing closed
Public Housing units at Arlington Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Arlington Housing Authority converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Arlington maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Other Other Programs closed
The Other Programs program at Arlington Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Arlington. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Arlington Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Arlington Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Arlington Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Arlington Housing Authority?
Arlington Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Arlington Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $82,700. Limits are set annually by HUD and vary by household size.
| Household Size | Extremely Low 30% AMI |
Very Low 50% AMI |
Low Income 80% AMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $34,750 | $57,900 | $92,650 |
| 2 Persons | $39,700 | $66,200 | $105,850 |
| 3 Persons | $44,650 | $74,450 | $119,100 |
| 4 Persons | $49,600 | $82,700 | $132,300 |
| 5 Persons | $53,600 | $89,350 | $142,900 |
| 6 Persons | $57,550 | $95,950 | $153,500 |
| 7 Persons | $61,550 | $102,550 | $164,100 |
| 8 Persons | $65,500 | $109,200 | $174,650 |
What do these income limits mean?
Extremely Low Income (30% AMI) — Households earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. This is the threshold for the lowest-income tier of assistance. Many housing authorities give preference to applicants at this level.
Very Low Income (50% AMI) — The standard eligibility threshold for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and most Public Housing programs. Your household income must be at or below this limit to qualify.
Low Income (80% AMI) — Some programs, including Project-Based Vouchers and certain local initiatives, use this higher threshold. Check with this housing authority for specific program requirements.
Nearby Housing Authorities
Applying to multiple housing authorities increases your chances of receiving assistance. These PHAs are closest to Arlington Housing Authority — including across state lines.