Lowell Housing Authority
Lowell, Massachusetts
Last Updated
2 hours ago
About Lowell Housing Authority
Lowell Housing Authority (HUD agency code MA001) is the public housing agency serving Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It administers 1,621 public housing units and 1,405 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 8 waiting lists at this agency, covering MRVP, HCV, Mainstream, Other, PBV, Public Housing. As of Jul 29, 2026, 1 is open and 7 are 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 9 status changes at this agency, most recently on Sep 12, 2026. Always confirm current status with the agency directly before applying.
Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Applications for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) are accepted online through CHAMP (Common Housing Application for Massachusetts Programs). Housing Authorities maintain separate waiting lists and can establish their own preferences.
Other Programs
5 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 waiting list was last open for four days in November 2018. Preferences may include seniors, persons with disabilities, veterans, homeless persons, and those who live and work locally.
This Mainstream Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list was last open from January 22, 2024, until January 26, 2024.
The Lowell Rental Assistance Fund Program (LRAP) waiting list was last open for four days in November 2018.
The Lowell Rental Assistance Fund Program (LRAP) waiting list is currently closed and was last open for four days in November 2018.
The LRAP waiting list was last open for four days in November 2018. No future opening has been announced.
The Section 8 Project-Based Voucher waiting list for 2, 3, and 4-bedroom apartments was last open from January 22, 2024, to January 26, 2024, with no announced reopening date.
The need for public housing in Lowell exceeds the availability of funds. Preferences are weighted for involuntarily displaced individuals, working heads of household/spouses or elderly/disabled individuals, legal residents of Lowell or those working in Lowell, victims of domestic violence, and veterans.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Lowell 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 Lowell Housing Authority
Check Current Status
Lowell Housing Authority currently has 1 open waiting list (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 Lowell 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 Lowell Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Lowell Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Lowell Housing Authority manages approximately 3,026 assisted housing units (1,405 Section 8, 1,621 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Lowell. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Lowell Housing Authority
MRVP Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) open
The Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) program at Lowell Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Lowell. 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 Lowell 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 Lowell. This program serves approximately 1,405 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 Lowell 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.
Other Other Programs closed
The Other Programs program at Lowell Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Lowell. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Lowell Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Lowell. 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 Lowell Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Lowell Housing Authority manages approximately 1,621 Public Housing units in Lowell. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Lowell Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Lowell Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Lowell Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Lowell Housing Authority?
Lowell Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Lowell 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 Lowell Housing Authority — including across state lines.