Boston Housing Authority
Boston, Massachusetts
Last Updated
23 hours ago
About Boston Housing Authority
The Boston Housing Authority (BHA), PHA Code MA002, serves Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. It manages approximately 26,461 assisted housing units throughout the region. This total includes 17,738 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and 8,723 Public Housing units, providing essential housing support.
Currently, the BHA has waitlists open for several specific programs. These include Mod Rehab, Moderate Rehabilitation Program, Other, Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), and Public Housing. Applicants should note that specific eligibility criteria apply to each program. For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit for the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area is $82,700 per year.
Moderate Rehabilitation (Mod Rehab) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Mod Rehab provides rental assistance for low-income families to live in renovated properties. Some properties target specific populations.
View original notice — bostonhousing.orgModerate Rehabilitation Program Waitlist
Status
open
Additional Notes
Applicants must apply for specific communities and will then be placed on that community's waiting list.
Other Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
The Moderate Rehabilitation (Mod Rehab) program applicants must qualify for Priority One status.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Project-based voucher programs provide rental subsidy to specific properties. You can learn more about PBV communities or browse the PVB map to locate properties under this program.
View original notice — bostonhousing.orgPublic Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
BHA waiting lists are online. The waiting time for housing can vary and can be over ten years. A community's waiting list may range from 1,200 to 13,000 applicants.
View original notice — bostonhousing.orgOther Programs
4 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.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is currently closed to new applicants. Only Priority 1 Applicants may apply for Non-Elderly Housing Choice Voucher Programs (Section 8).
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.
Applicants must apply for specific communities and will then be placed on that community's waiting list. Residents pay approximately 30% of their income toward rent.
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.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Boston Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
Go to Official SiteWARNING: 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 Boston Housing Authority
Check Current Status
Boston Housing Authority currently has 5 open waiting lists (Mod Rehab, Moderate Rehabilitation Program, Other, PBV, Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Boston 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 Boston Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf. If applying online, take a screenshot of your confirmation page for your records.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Boston Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Boston Housing Authority manages approximately 26,461 assisted housing units (17,738 Section 8, 8,723 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Boston. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Boston Housing Authority
Mod Rehab open
The Mod Rehab program at Boston Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Boston. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Moderate Rehabilitation Program open
The Moderate Rehabilitation Program program at Boston Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Boston. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Other open
The Other program at Boston Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Boston. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher open
Project-Based Vouchers at Boston Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Boston. 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 open
Public Housing units at Boston Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Boston Housing Authority manages approximately 8,723 Public Housing units in Boston. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Boston 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 Boston. This program serves approximately 17,738 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 Boston 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.
Moderate Rehabilitation closed
The Moderate Rehabilitation program at Boston Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Boston. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Boston Housing Authority converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Boston maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Boston Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Boston Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Boston Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Boston Housing Authority?
Boston Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Boston 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 Boston Housing Authority — including across state lines.