Somerville Housing Authority
Somerville, New Jersey
Last Updated
22 hours ago
About Somerville Housing Authority
The Somerville Housing Authority, located in Somerville, Somerset County, New Jersey (PHA Code NJ097), manages approximately 194 assisted housing units. These units primarily consist of 194 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Currently, the Somerville Housing Authority has its Inclusionary Housing program open for applications. Other programs, including the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Project-Based Voucher (PBV), and Public Housing programs, are presently closed to new applicants. The status for Mainstream and RAD programs is not currently specified as open.
Applicants for available programs should note the income limits. For a family of four considered Very Low Income in the Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ HUD Metro FMR Area, the income limit is $76,700 per year. Specific eligibility criteria apply to each program.
Inclusionary Housing Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Feb 2, 2026
Additional Notes
The Consolidated Rental Waitlist opens February 2, 2026 and closes on March 2, 2026. Applications will be available on the City of Somerville website. Contact inclusionary@somervillema.gov or call 617-625-6600 x2577 to be added to the listserv and receive notices for affordable rental opportunities.
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.
Local preference is given to applicants who live or work in the Borough of Somerville; the waiting list was limited to 30 applications.
This Project-Based Voucher waitlist for Waterworks II Apartments, for senior and disabled individuals, last accepted applications from July 1, 2024, until further notice.
The waiting list for Senior and Disabled Public Housing at Brady Towers, Ciampa Manor, Highland Garden, Properzi Manor, and Weston Manor has closed.
Mainstream Vouchers provide rental assistance specifically for non-elderly persons with disabilities. The program helps individuals transition out of institutional settings or avoid institutionalization by subsidizing housing costs in the private market.
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance, allowing housing authorities to leverage private funding for property rehabilitation while preserving long-term affordability for residents.
Status History
Official Application
Contact Somerville Housing Authority directly at (908) 725-2300 to request an application. Applications are always free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
Contact the housing authority directly for application information.
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 Somerville Housing Authority
Check Current Status
Somerville Housing Authority currently has 1 open waiting list (Inclusionary Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Somerville 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 $76,700/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
Contact Somerville Housing Authority directly at (908) 725-2300 to request an application. Applications are always free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Somerville Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Somerville Housing Authority manages approximately 194 assisted housing units (194 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Somerville. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Somerville Housing Authority
Inclusionary Housing open
The Inclusionary Housing program at Somerville Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Somerville. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements. The application window closes on March 2, 2026.
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Somerville 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 Somerville. This program serves approximately 194 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
PBV Project-Based Voucher closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Somerville Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Somerville. 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 Somerville 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.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Somerville 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.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Somerville Housing Authority converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Somerville maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Somerville Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Somerville Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Somerville Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Somerville Housing Authority?
Somerville Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Somerville Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $76,700. 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 | $32,200 | $53,700 | $72,950 |
| 2 Persons | $36,800 | $61,400 | $83,400 |
| 3 Persons | $41,400 | $69,050 | $93,800 |
| 4 Persons | $46,000 | $76,700 | $104,200 |
| 5 Persons | $49,700 | $82,850 | $112,550 |
| 6 Persons | $53,400 | $89,000 | $120,900 |
| 7 Persons | $57,050 | $95,150 | $129,250 |
| 8 Persons | $60,750 | $101,250 | $137,550 |
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 Somerville Housing Authority — including across state lines.