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About Barnstable Housing Authority

Barnstable Housing Authority (HUD agency code MA046) is the public housing agency serving Hyannis, Barnstable County, Massachusetts. It administers 68 public housing units and 549 Housing Choice Vouchers.

Section 8 Waitlist tracks 10 waiting lists at this agency, covering AHVP, HCV, Other, PBV, Public Housing, SRO, VASH, MRVP. As of Sep 28, 2026, 9 are open and 1 is closed.

Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Barnstable Town, MA MSA. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $68,350 per year, and as Low Income at or below $106,800 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.

Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 1 status change at this agency, most recently on Feb 18, 2026. Always confirm current status with the agency directly before applying.

Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Contact Jenifer Callahan or Brooke Pena at (508) 771-7222

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

Alternative Housing Voucher Program subsidies are for disabled individuals.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist

Status

open

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

The Barnstable Housing Authority administers 170 HUD Section 8 rental assistance vouchers and 90 Section 8 Mobility Vouchers. All waiting lists except MRVP are open.

Other Programs Waitlist

DIAL

Status

open

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

The DIAL program has 200 vouchers. All waiting lists except MRVP are open.

RAP

Status

open

How to Apply

Downloadable application

Additional Notes

The RAP program was developed to preserve affordable rental stock. All waiting lists except MRVP are open.

Special Needs Housing (Chapter 689)

Status

open

How to Apply

Through service providers

Additional Notes

The BHA provides 52 units of housing under Chapter 689, Housing for People with Special Needs. Applications and placement are done through the service providers at each development. All waiting lists except MRVP are open.

Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist

Status

open

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

The Barnstable Housing Authority administers 75 state-aided Massachusetts Rental Vouchers, which can be considered a form of PBV. All waiting lists except MRVP are open.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

The Barnstable Housing Authority administers approximately 1052 units of housing, including state-aided Chapter 667 elderly/handicapped, state-aided congregate housing, state-aided Chapter 689 special needs, state-aided Chapter 705 family, and Federal 46-3 elderly/handicapped housing. All waiting lists except MRVP are open.

Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Waitlist

Status

open

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

Career House is a 10 bedroom SRO (single room occupancy) home. All waiting lists except MRVP are open.

Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Waitlist

Status

open

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

The Barnstable Housing Authority has 15 VASH vouchers for Veterans. All waiting lists except MRVP are open.

Other Programs

1 program

These 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.

Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP)
Closed

MRVP income limits are based on 200% of the Federal Poverty level adjusted for household size. All waiting lists except MRVP are open.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.

Status History

HCV Opened Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Barnstable 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

Address 500 Old Colony Rd
City Hyannis, MA 02601
Phone
(508) ███-████
Email
█████████@bha.barnstable.ma.us
PHA Code MA046
Section 8 Units 549
Public Housing Units 68

Important Notices

  • Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.

  • Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.

How to Apply at Barnstable Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

Barnstable Housing Authority currently has 9 open waiting lists (Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP), Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Other Programs, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing, Single Room Occupancy (SRO), Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Barnstable 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 $68,350/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.

3

Submit Your Application

Apply directly through the official Barnstable Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at Barnstable Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Barnstable Housing Authority manages approximately 617 assisted housing units (549 Section 8, 68 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Hyannis. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Barnstable Housing Authority

AHVP Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) open

The Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) program at Barnstable Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Hyannis. 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 Barnstable 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 Hyannis. This program serves approximately 549 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Other Other Programs open

The Other Programs program at Barnstable Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Hyannis. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) open

Project-Based Vouchers at Barnstable Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Hyannis. 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 Barnstable Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Barnstable Housing Authority manages approximately 68 Public Housing units in Hyannis. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.

SRO Single Room Occupancy (SRO) open

The Single Room Occupancy (SRO) program at Barnstable Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Hyannis. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

VASH Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) open

The HUD-VASH program at Barnstable Housing Authority combines Housing Choice Vouchers with VA supportive services for homeless veterans in Hyannis. Referrals are made through the local VA Medical Center — contact the VA to begin the application process.

MRVP Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) closed

The Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) program at Barnstable Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Hyannis. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Barnstable Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Barnstable Housing Authority administers 8 programs (Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP), Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Other Programs, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing, Single Room Occupancy (SRO), Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH), Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP)) — none of which charge an application fee. If any website or person asks you to pay money to apply, it is a scam. Always apply directly through the housing authority's official portal or in person at their office at 500 Old Colony Rd, Hyannis, MA.
How long is the wait at Barnstable Housing Authority?
Wait times at Barnstable Housing Authority depend on demand in Hyannis, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 617 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on February 18, 2026 when the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) list changed from "open" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Barnstable Housing Authority directly for current estimated wait times.
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
Yes. There is no limit to the number of housing authority waiting lists you can join simultaneously. There are 8 other housing authorities within 100 miles of Barnstable Housing Authority, including Yarmouth Housing Authority (4 mi), Dennis Housing Authority (7 mi), Sandwich Housing Authority (11 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in Massachusetts and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Massachusetts.
How do I contact Barnstable Housing Authority?
Barnstable Housing Authority's direct phone number and email address are listed in the contact panel on this page. Their office is located at 500 Old Colony Rd, Hyannis, MA 02601. Unlock the contact details to see them. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Barnstable Housing Authority?
Income limits for Barnstable Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Barnstable Town, MA MSA (currently $124,100). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $68,350. Most Section 8 and Public Housing programs require your household income to be at or below this level. See the full income limits table below.

Barnstable Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Barnstable Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Barnstable Town, MA MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $68,350. 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 $28,700 $47,850 $74,800
2 Persons $32,800 $54,700 $85,450
3 Persons $36,900 $61,550 $96,150
4 Persons $41,000 $68,350 $106,800
5 Persons $44,300 $73,850 $115,350
6 Persons $47,600 $79,300 $123,900
7 Persons $50,850 $84,800 $132,450
8 Persons $54,150 $90,250 $141,000
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $124,100 Effective April 1, 2025
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.