Cambridge Housing Authority
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Last Updated
21 hours ago
About Cambridge Housing Authority
The Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA), located in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts (PHA Code: MA003), manages approximately 7,649 assisted housing units. This includes 7,597 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and 52 Public Housing units.
CHA currently has open waitlists for its Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Public Housing, and Single Room Occupancy (SRO) programs. Both Public Housing and SRO programs recently changed from closed to open. Other programs, including Mainstream, Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), and Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), are currently closed.
For applicants in the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area, the Very Low Income limit for a family of four is $82,700 per year. Applicants should consult program guidelines for specific eligibility criteria and current income limits based on family size.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Income limits apply, and applicants generally cannot be single full-time students under 24 without dependents, except for veterans and persons with disabilities.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Waitlist positions are categorized by bedroom needs based on household composition and income limits vary by list. Some lists are specifically for elderly/disabled applicants where the head of household, co-head, or spouse is at least 58 years of age or has a disability.
SRO Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Income may not exceed 50% of Area Median Income; admission to some units is limited to homeless individuals. Applicants cannot be a single full-time student under 24 (veterans and persons with disabilities are exempt). Preferences are not applied to the SRO waitlist; applications are ordered by date and timestamp. Applicants should submit one initial pre-application; additional applications can be made to be placed on more open waitlists.
Single Room Occupancy Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
The Single Room Occupancy waitlist is open. Preferences include Cambridge residency, Cambridge shelter or transitional facility, employment in Cambridge, and veteran status; applicants must meet income limits, pass a criminal background check, and provide social security numbers; head of household must be at least 18 or an emancipated minor.
Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Income may not exceed 50% Area Median Income; admission to some units is limited to homeless individuals. Preferences are not applied; applications are ordered based on the date and timestamp of submission.
Other Programs
3 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.
The Mainstream waitlist is currently closed. Information regarding future openings is not available on this page.
The Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) is not currently accepting applications for the Project-Based Voucher (PBV) program. Information regarding future openings will be posted on the CHA website.
The Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) is not currently accepting applications for the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. Information regarding future openings will be posted on the CHA website.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Cambridge 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 Cambridge Housing Authority
Check Current Status
Cambridge Housing Authority currently has 5 open waiting lists (HCV, Public Housing, SRO, Single Room Occupancy, Single Room Occupancy (SRO)). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Cambridge 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 Cambridge 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 Cambridge Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Cambridge Housing Authority manages approximately 7,649 assisted housing units (7,597 Section 8, 52 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Cambridge. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Cambridge Housing Authority
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) open
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Cambridge 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 Cambridge. This program serves approximately 7,597 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Public Housing Public Housing open
Public Housing units at Cambridge Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Cambridge Housing Authority manages approximately 52 Public Housing units in Cambridge. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
SRO open
The SRO program at Cambridge Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Cambridge. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Single Room Occupancy open
The Single Room Occupancy program at Cambridge Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Cambridge. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Single Room Occupancy (SRO) open
The Single Room Occupancy (SRO) program at Cambridge Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Cambridge. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Cambridge 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 closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Cambridge Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Cambridge. 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.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Cambridge Housing Authority converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Cambridge maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Cambridge Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Cambridge Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Cambridge Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Cambridge Housing Authority?
Cambridge Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Cambridge 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 Cambridge Housing Authority — including across state lines.