Chelsea Housing Authority
Chelsea, Massachusetts
Last Updated
Less than an hour ago
About Chelsea Housing Authority
Chelsea Housing Authority (HUD agency code MA016) is the public housing agency serving Chelsea, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. It administers 354 public housing units and 609 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 15 waiting lists at this agency, covering AHVP, HCV, MRVP, Other, PBV, Public Housing, SRO, Mainstream. As of Feb 22, 2026, 14 are open and 1 is closed.
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 197 status changes at this agency, most recently on Oct 6, 2026. Always confirm current status with the agency directly before applying.
Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Phone
Additional Notes
Assists non-elderly individuals with disabilities through a mobile voucher program, with preference for veterans and survivors of domestic violence.
State Voucher
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
State-funded rental voucher program for non-elderly individuals with disabilities, offering one-bedroom vouchers. Preferences include local resident and veteran.
Voucher
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
The Alternative Housing Voucher Program is a state-funded rental voucher program for non-elderly individuals with disabilities. Preferences are given to veterans and survivors of domestic violence.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) is listed as open on the official Chelsea Housing Authority website and is part of the Massachusetts Centralized Waiting List.
Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Phone
Additional Notes
Provides tenant-based and project-based rental subsidies, with mobile vouchers allowing participants to find housing throughout Massachusetts.
AHVP & MRVP
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
The State Voucher Program (Alternative Housing Voucher Program - AHVP and Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program - MRVP) waiting list is currently open. Applications can be made online via the Chelsea Housing Authority website, in-person at 54 Locke St, Chelsea, MA 02150, by mail, by fax (617-884-6...
State Voucher
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
AHVP assists non-elderly individuals with disabilities, with preferences for local residents and veterans; MRVP provides tenant-based and project-based rental subsidies.
Voucher
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
The Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program is a state-administered program providing housing assistance, including tenant-based and project-based subsidies and mobile vouchers.
Other Programs Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This is a state-funded rental voucher program for non-elderly individuals with disabilities and is a mobile voucher. Preference is given to veterans and survivors of domestic violence (no local residency preference).
State Voucher
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) assists non-elderly individuals with disabilities, is a mobile voucher, and has preferences for veterans and survivors of domestic violence, offering one-bedroom vouchers.
Voucher
Status
open
Additional Notes
This includes the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) and the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP). AHVP is a state-funded rental voucher program for non-elderly individuals with disabilities, with preferences for local residents and veterans. MRVP is a state-administered program pr...
Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The Caritas Project-Based Voucher program is listed as open on the official Chelsea Housing Authority website.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Feb 14, 2025
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
State Family Public Housing is listed as open on the official Chelsea Housing Authority website and applications are processed through the CHAMPS system with various state preferences.
Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Waitlist
Status
open
Additional Notes
CHA announced the opening of the Caritas Single Room Occupancy wait list.
Other Programs
1 programThese 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 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list is closed as of September 2026 and was last open from January 2, 2025, through January 31, 2025; it assists non-elderly, disabled persons with preferences for veterans and domestic violence survivors.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Chelsea 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 Chelsea Housing Authority
Check Current Status
Chelsea Housing Authority currently has 14 open waiting lists (Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP), Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), Other Programs, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing, 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 Chelsea 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 Chelsea Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Chelsea Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Chelsea Housing Authority manages approximately 963 assisted housing units (609 Section 8, 354 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Chelsea. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Chelsea Housing Authority
AHVP Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) open
The Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) program at Chelsea Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Chelsea. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) open
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Chelsea 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 Chelsea. This program serves approximately 609 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
MRVP Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) open
The Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) program at Chelsea Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Chelsea. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Other Other Programs open
The Other Programs program at Chelsea Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Chelsea. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) open
Project-Based Vouchers at Chelsea Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Chelsea. 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 Chelsea Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Chelsea Housing Authority manages approximately 354 Public Housing units in Chelsea. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties. The application window closes on April 18, 2025.
SRO Single Room Occupancy (SRO) open
The Single Room Occupancy (SRO) program at Chelsea Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Chelsea. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Chelsea 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Chelsea Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Chelsea Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Chelsea Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Chelsea Housing Authority?
Chelsea Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Chelsea 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 Chelsea Housing Authority — including across state lines.