Winchester Housing Authority
Winchester, Massachusetts
Last Updated
23 hours ago
About Winchester Housing Authority
Winchester Housing Authority (HUD agency code MA125) is the public housing agency serving Winchester, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It administers 147 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 9 waiting lists at this agency, covering AHVP, Accessible, Other, Public Housing, Senior, HCV, FSS. As of Jun 14, 2026, 7 are open and 1 is closed. Status is unconfirmed for 1 further list.
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 22 status changes at this agency, most recently on Sep 30, 2026.
Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) Waitlist
Status
open
Additional Notes
The Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP), a state-funded Section 8 program for people with disabilities, currently has an open waitlist.
Accessible & Disability Housing Waitlist
State Disabled Housing
Status
open
Open Date
Dec 11, 2025
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
State income limits (April 2025) apply. Preferences may include local veterans and local residents.
Other Programs Waitlist
Status
open
Additional Notes
An 'Other' program type waitlist is currently open.
CHAMP
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The CHAMP Waitlist is currently open.
State Family Housing
Status
open
Open Date
Dec 11, 2025
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
The waitlist opened on December 11, 2025. This program includes seven units, all two or three bedrooms with no four-bedroom apartments. WHA operates 9 state-aided housing units for families. State income limits apply.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
The Winchester Housing Authority accepts pre-applications for Public Housing, including units for senior citizens (Chapter 689) and families (Chapter 705). Family needs are considered when making invitations to apply, and declining two invitations will result in the application being removed from the waitlist.
Senior Housing Waitlist
State Elderly Housing
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This program accommodates elderly age 60 and over and young disabled individuals. Application can be made online, by downloading/printing from the DHCD website, picking up at the office (13 Westley Street, Winchester, MA 01890), or requesting by mail.
Other Programs
2 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 Winchester Housing Authority administers 143 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. While it participates in the Massachusetts Section 8 Centralized Waiting List, its specific waiting list is currently not accepting applications. Eligibility includes very low-income families, elderly, and disabled, with selection based on 'First in, First out' principles, income limits, US citizenship, and background checks.
Family Self-Sufficiency is a voluntary program for existing voucher and public housing participants. As earned income rises, the resulting increase in rent is placed into an escrow account the family can claim on completing the program.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Winchester 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 Winchester Housing Authority
Check Current Status
Winchester Housing Authority currently has 7 open waiting lists (Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP), Accessible & Disability Housing, Other Programs, Public Housing, Senior Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
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.
Submit Your Application
Apply directly through the official Winchester Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
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 Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) open
The Alternative Housing Voucher Program (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.
Accessible Accessible & Disability Housing open
The Accessible & Disability 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.
Other Other Programs open
The Other Programs 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.
Senior Senior Housing open
The Senior 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.
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed
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.
FSS Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) closed
The Family Self-Sufficiency (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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Winchester Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Winchester Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Winchester Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Winchester Housing Authority?
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 |
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 Winchester Housing Authority — including across state lines.