Last Updated

22 hours ago

About Winchester Housing Authority

The Winchester Housing Authority (PHA Code: MA125), located in Winchester, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, manages approximately 147 assisted housing units. These units are primarily facilitated through the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.

The WHA is currently accepting applications for its AHVP, Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Public Housing, and Other programs. The Housing Choice Voucher program recently changed its status from closed to open, providing a new opportunity for applicants.

For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit for eligibility is $82,700 per year, based on the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area. Applicants should consult the housing authority for specific program requirements and application procedures.

AHVP Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now
Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

The Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) is open for applications, providing rental assistance for non-elderly persons with disabilities and low income.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Jan 6, 2003

How to Apply

Online

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Part of the Massachusetts Section 8 Centralized Waiting List, which accepts applications indefinitely. Local preferences may include veteran status for family and elderly/disabled housing; eligibility requires income at or below 50% AMI and eligible US citizenship.

Other Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

This is a rental assistance program for non-elderly persons with disabilities and low income.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

This program offers units with two or three bedrooms. Local veteran preference may apply.

Other Programs

3 programs

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.

FSS
Pending

No current waiting list information found for the Family Self Sufficiency program.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.
State Elderly Housing
Pending

No waitlist information currently available for this program.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.
State Family Housing
Pending

No waitlist information currently available for this program.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.

Status History

Public Housing Opening Soon Mar 31, 2026
HCV Opened Feb 22, 2026
HCV Closed Feb 19, 2026
HCV Opened Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Winchester Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

Go to Official Site

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

Address 13 Westley St
City Winchester, MA 01890
PHA Code MA125
Section 8 Units 147

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 Winchester Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

Winchester Housing Authority currently has 4 open waiting lists (AHVP, HCV, Other, Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Winchester 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.

3

Submit Your Application

Apply directly through the official Winchester 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.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at Winchester Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Winchester Housing Authority manages approximately 147 assisted housing units (147 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Winchester. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Winchester Housing Authority

AHVP open

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

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) open

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Winchester 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 Winchester. This program serves approximately 147 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Other open

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

Public Housing Public Housing open

Public Housing units at Winchester Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.

FSS closed

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

State Elderly Housing closed

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

State Family Housing closed

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Winchester Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Winchester Housing Authority administers 7 programs (AHVP, HCV, Other, Public Housing, FSS, State Elderly Housing, State Family Housing) — 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 13 Westley St, Winchester, MA.
How long is the wait at Winchester Housing Authority?
Wait times at Winchester Housing Authority depend on demand in Winchester, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 147 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on March 31, 2026 when the Public Housing list changed from "open" to "opening_soon." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Winchester 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 Winchester Housing Authority, including Woburn Housing Authority (2 mi), Arlington Housing Authority (3 mi), Medford Housing Authority (3 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 Winchester Housing Authority?
You can reach Winchester Housing Authority by phone at (781) 721-5718. Their office is located at 13 Westley St, Winchester, MA 01890. You can also email them at whaexecdir@winchesterha.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Winchester Housing Authority?
Income limits for Winchester Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area (currently $160,900). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $82,700. 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.

Winchester Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Winchester 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
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $160,900 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.