How to Apply for Public Housing

There are different types of housing available for low-income families, elderly persons, and those with disabilities. Congregate and supportive housing with assisted living services may also be available.

Table of Contents

Am I Eligible?

State-aided public housing includes low-income family, elderly, and handicapped housing in buildings owned by Local Housing Authorities (LHAs) throughout 240 cities and towns in Massachusetts. Note that the term “state-aided public housing” does not include state or federal rental payment vouchers or federal public housing programs.

  • Low-income households are typically eligible for the state-aided public housing if they earn no more than 80 percent of the area median income. Income Limits for State-Aided Public Housing (effective May 15, 2023)
  • If you or a family member are 60 years of age or over or, you are a non-elderly/handicapped you may qualify for the elderly/handicapped housing program.

For complete details on eligibility please contact a Local Housing Authority.

Key Actions   for Am I Eligible?

How to Apply

To apply for state-aided Family and Elderly/Handicapped public housing, you must use the Common Housing Application for Massachusetts Public Housing (CHAMP). You can apply using CHAMP either online at our CHAMP website, or in person by completing a printed paper application. Both the online and paper applications are available in English, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Khmer, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Please note that state-aided Congregate Elderly/Handicapped public housing waitlists are not managed in CHAMP. If you are interested in living in a shared or group environment with roommates, complete the Application for Congregate State-Aided Housing and return it directly to the Local Housing Authority you would like to apply to.

If you have a disability, you have a right to request reasonable accommodation during the application process. To do so, please review the notice below and contact a Local Housing Authority.

Notice to All Applicants - Reasonable Accommodations

 

Apply Online for Family or Elderly/Handicapped State-Aided Public Housing

  • If you think you have applied on paper for state-aided public housing before, you may search for your application on the CHAMP website using a smartphone (i.e., iPhone or android), tablet or computer.
  • If you have not applied for state-aided public housing before, you may create a new account online. Using an online account will allow you to make changes to your application in real time and allow for a Local Housing Authority to contact you directly if they need to request additional information.
  • When applying online please pay close attention to the asterisked (*) sections. If these questions are left blank, your application will be incomplete and it will not be fully processed.
  • You may be eligible to claim homeless priority in CHAMP, which speeds up the application process. Learn what situations qualify and what documents you’ll need to claim homeless priority. If you qualify, you’ll receive an email, phone call, and letter from the Centralized Screening Office (Archipelago Strategies Group/ASG).

 

Apply on Paper for Family or Elderly/Handicapped State-Aided Public Housing

  • To download a paper CHAMP Application, please see the list below.
  • In order for your application to be complete, you must provide all of the required (*) information and sign the Applicant's Certification AND the Fair Information Practices Act -Statement of Rights.
  • At the end of the CHAMP application you will need to select housing programs at each Local Housing Authority where you would like to apply. It is important to only apply for housing programs at Local Housing Authorities where you want to live.
  • When you have completed the entire paper application, mail or hand deliver it to a Local Housing Authority. You will only need to send your application to one LHA even if you have applied for housing programs at another.
  • Once your completed paper CHAMP application has been received by a Local Housing Authority, they will enter your information into the CHAMP database and you will be able to access it online using your Application ID Number. The Local Housing Authority will also provide you with an application receipt.
  • Note: Any information provided in your application will need to be verified by a Local Housing Authority before any offer for housing is made.

Paper Applications

 

Apply on Paper for Congregate State-Aided Elderly/Handicapped Public Housing (Shared Living)

Congregate Housing is shared/group housing where a resident lives with other residents as roommates who together share common spaces, such as a kitchen, living area, and bathroom.  This type of housing is best suited for applicants who are interested in living with roommates in a shared or group environment.

Congregate State-aided Elderly/Handicapped public housing waitlists are not managed in CHAMP. If you are interested in living in a shared or group environment with roommates, complete the Application for Congregate State-Aided Elderly/Handicapped Public Housing and return it directly to the Local Housing Authority you would like to apply to.

  • To download a paper Application for Congregate State-Aided Public Housing, please see the links below.
  • In order for your application to be complete, you must provide all of the required (*) information and sign the Applicant's Certification AND the Fair Information Practices Act -Statement of Rights.
  • When you have completed the entire paper Application for Congregate State-Aided Public Housing, mail or hand deliver it to a Local Housing Authority that administers the Congregate Program. You must provide a completed application separately to each Local Housing Authority that you wish to apply to. To find a list of Local Housing Authorities that administer a Congregate State-Aided Housing program see State Public Housing Programs.
  • Once your completed paper Application for Congregate State-Aided Public Housing has been received by a Local Housing Authority, they will enter your information onto their list and will provide you with an application receipt.
  • Note: Any information provided in your application will need to be verified by a Local Housing Authority before any offer for housing is made.

 

Paper Applications for Congregate State-Aided Public Housing (Shared Living)

Application for Congregate State-Aided Public Housing

Application for Housing Situation Priority for Congregate Housing

What Happens After I Apply?

If you applied to Family or Elderly/Handicapped State-Aided Public Housing (CHAMP)

  • The Local Housing Authority will process your CHAMP Application based on the information you provide. This information must be complete and accurate for your application to be processed and to be placed on a waitlist.
  • When you apply you will not need to provide any documentation. Your application will be placed on the waitlist based on answers you provide in your application. 
  • Once a Local Housing Authority is ready to verify your household situation, you will be notified that there are several documents you need to provide. You will be able to provide those to the Local Housing Authority by mail or in person, or you can upload them online using your CHAMP Account.
  • When your application approaches the top of a waitlist, you will be contacted again by a Local Housing Authority. They will ask you to provide additional documentation and have you complete the CHAMP Supplemental Application.
  • Once you have submitted the required documentation and a completed CHAMP Supplemental Application, the Local Housing Authority will make decisions about your application eligibility, qualifications, housing situation priority status, and preference status.
  • It is important that you respond to requests for documentation, even if you cannot provide all documentation requested at that time. Providing responses to Local Housing Authorities is the most important factor in successfully getting your application verified.
  • Once your application becomes verified you will be eligible for consideration for offers of housing.
  • If you have questions about the responding to requests for documentation or uploading verification documentation you can review the Frequently Asked Questions on the CHAMP Help Page.
  • Related Documents:

For more information about the application process, please see the "Common Applicant Questions" section below or contact a Local Housing Authority.

If you applied to Congregate State-Aided Elderly/Handicapped Public Housing (Shared Living)

  • The Local Housing Authority will process your Application for Congregate State-Aided Public Housing (Shared Living) based on the information you provide. This information must be complete and accurate for your application to be processed and to be placed on a waitlist.
  • When you apply you will need to provide verification of your current housing situation, current residence or city of employment, and household veteran status before receiving any housing situation priority or preference on the waitlist. In order to apply for a housing situation priority status you must complete the Application for Housing Situation Priority for Congregate State-Aided Housing.
  • Once a Local Housing Authority is ready to verify your household situation, you will be notified that there are several documents you need to provide. You must provide those to the Local Housing Authority directly.
  • When your application approaches the top of a waitlist, you will be contacted again by a Local Housing Authority. They will ask you to provide additional documentation and have you complete the Supplemental Application for Congregate State-Aided Public Housing form.
  • Your application will also be referred to a Multidisciplinary Assessment Team for review if there is one associated with the Local Housing Authority you have applied to.
  • Once you have submitted the required documentation and a completed CHAMP Supplemental Application, the Local Housing Authority will make decisions about your application eligibility, qualifications, housing situation priority status, and preference status.
  • It is important that you respond to requests for documentation, even if you cannot provide all documentation requested at that time. Providing responses to Local Housing Authorities is the most important factor in successfully getting your application verified.
  • Once your application becomes verified you will be eligible for consideration for offers of housing.
  • Related Documents:

How do I Make Changes to My Application?

If you applied to Family or Elderly/Handicapped State-Aided Public Housing (CHAMP)

  • If you would like to make any changes or updates to the information in your CHAMP application online you may do so by logging into your CHAMP account using the username and password you created when you first made an account.
  • Even if you submitted a paper CHAMP application, you will still be able to make changes online. After your application has been processed by a Local Housing Authority, you will be able to search for your application using your Application ID Number.
  • You can also make changes or updates to your submitted application by sending a written request to any Local Housing Authority.

If you applied to Congregate State-Aided Elderly/Handicapped Public Housing (Shared Living)

  • You can make changes or updates to your submitted Application for Congregate State-Aided Public Housing (Shared Living) by sending a written request to the Local Housing Authority where you have applied. If you have applied for Congregate State-Aided Public Housing at more than one Local Housing Authority, you will need to provide this update to all Local Housing Authorities individually.
  • Applications for Congregate waitlists are not managed in CHAMP. If you previously applied to a Congregate waitlist using CHAMP, your application information was sent to all Local Housing Authorities where you have applied. Each Local Housing Authority that administers the Congregate program manages their Congregate waitlists individually. If you are unsure of the status of your Congregate Application, you should reach out to the Local Housing Authority where you applied for Congregate State-Aided Public Housing (Shared Living). For a list of Local Housing Authorities that administer the Congregate Program, see State Public Housing Programs

Common Applicant Questions

What are the income limits for state-aided public housing?

To be eligible for state-aided public housing, your household income must be at or under 80 percent of the area median income. The income limits change periodically, please see the "Am I Eligible?" section for the current income limits.

What about state vouchers (MRVP or AHVP), federally subsidized apartments, and Section 8 vouchers? Can I use the CHAMP application?

The CHAMP application is currently for Family and Elderly/Handicapped state-aided public housing and the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP). Please contact your Local Housing Authority or Regional Administering Agency if you are interested in learning more about MRVP, federally subsidized apartments, Section 8 vouchers, or Congregate State-Aided Public Housing (Shared Living). The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) also provides an online application for Section 8 vouchers administered by some Local Housing Authorities in Massachusetts. To apply for Congregate State-Aided Public Housing (Shared Living) you should use the paper application.

How do I request a translator to help me apply using CHAMP?

Both the online and paper CHAMP applications are available in English, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Khmer, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese. To request a translator please contact a Local Housing Authority.

I have a disability which makes it difficult for me to file an application. How can I get some assistance?

Please contact any Local Housing Authority for assistance.

What if I want to apply using CHAMP online but I have to use a public computer?

Your online CHAMP application can be accessed using a smart phone (i.e. android or iPhone), tablet, or computer. If you are using a public computer (at a library for example) make sure you do not save any personal or login information to that device and log off completely after you are done. If you are inactive on the CHAMP website for more than 20 minutes you will be logged off automatically.

What should I use as a username when I create a CHAMP account?

You will be required to use an email address as your username when you create an account on the CHAMP website. This will help you access your account in case you forget your password. If you do not have an email or access to a computer, you may still apply for state-aided public housing using a paper CHAMP application. 

I submitted an application for public housing in the past, was this application entered into the CHAMP system?

Yes, any active applications previously submitted on paper to a Local Housing Authority are now online in CHAMP. You may search for your application and create an account online using the CHAMP websiteApplications for Congregate State-Aided Housing are not online in CHAMP. Congregate State-Aided Public Housing Applications are kept on file by the individual Local Housing Authority administering a Congregate Program Waitlist.

I submitted an application for family or elderly/handicapped public housing a long time ago, will I still have the same timestamp that was on my original application?

Yes, your previous time stamp has been saved online in CHAMP. However, you will need to log into the CHAMP website or contact a Local Housing Authority at least once every two years in order to keep your application active. If you do not keep your application active, it will be given an inactive status and removed from waiting lists after one year of inactivity. 

I started a CHAMP application online but did not finish it, how can I go back in to complete it?

If you started an application online, you may finish where you left off by logging into your CHAMP account. You may come back to complete or edit your application at any time, but it will not be submitted until you have completed the Applicant's Certification AND the Fair Information Practices Act -Statement of Rights and clicked “submit.” You must select at least one program at one housing authority where you want to apply in order to submit your application. Once you have submitted a CHAMP application, you will be able to make changes or updates to your application using your online account. 

I mailed a CHAMP application to a Local Housing Authority, how long will it take for me to see it online?

Processing times vary by Local Housing Authority. However, all applications will receive a timestamp when they are received and will be available on the CHAMP website after they have been processed. To ensure your application is processed fully, be sure to provide all of the required (*) information, make at least one housing selection, and sign the Applicant's Certification AND the Fair Information Practices Act -Statement of Rights.

How do I add or remove myself from a CHAMP waitlist?

Every Local Housing Authority has a waitlist for each of the housing programs available at their Local Housing Authority. At the end of the CHAMP application there is a full list of the state-aided public housing programs available at each Local Housing Authority. Please see the EOHLC State Public Housing Programs web page for descriptions of each housing program.

Once you have applied using CHAMP and created an account, you will be able to make changes to your application online. You may also update your application by sending a written request to any Local Housing Authority by using the forms. If you can’t access or printout a form online, you may obtain one from a Housing Authority.

How do I update my application for Congregate State-Aided Public Housing (Shared Living)?

Congregate State-Aided Public Housing (Shared Living) waitlists are not managed in CHAMP. Applications for Congregate State-Aided Public Housing (Shared Living) must be submitted individually to LHAs that administer the Congregate Program. Written updates must also be submitted individually to LHAs that administer the Congregate Program. To check on the status of your application for Congregate State-Aided Public Housing (Shared Living), contact the housing authority where you applied to the Congregate Program Waitlist.

Who should I ask if I am having trouble completing the CHAMP application?

For assistance applying with the CHAMP application, please contact a Local Housing Authority.

 

What if I have more questions about CHAMP and the CHAMP Application verification process?

If you have more questions about CHAMP, the Application verification process, responding to requests for documentation from Local Housing Authorities, or uploading documentation into CHAMP go to the Help page on the CHAMP Website.

 

Paper Applications, Income Limits, Fair Market Rent, FIPA Documents

Contact EOHLC

Main Office
(617) 573-1100
Please listen for phone menu options for EOHLC divisions

For deaf or hard of hearing - TTY
(617) 573-1140

100 Cambridge Street
Suite 300
Boston, MA  02114

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