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Amherst Housing Authority
Amherst, Massachusetts
Last Updated
12 hours ago
About Amherst Housing Authority
The Amherst Housing Authority (PHA Code: MA085), located in Amherst, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, manages approximately 459 assisted housing units. These include 444 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and 15 Public Housing units, serving eligible low-income individuals and families within its jurisdiction.
Currently, the waitlist for Public Housing is open to new applicants. The waitlists for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and the Project-Based Voucher (PBV) program are closed. The Affordable Housing waitlist is anticipated to open soon. For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit is currently $59,800 annually, based on the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA MSA area.
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Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Local preferences may include current residents of Amherst, town employees, or households with children attending public schools in Amherst, along with veteran preference. Applicants must meet income eligibility and pass a criminal background check.
Other Programs
8 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.
A limited preference for homeless or at-risk of homelessness applicants was added, limited to 13 eligible families, starting July 31, 2020. Applications and eligibility information can also be obtained from the Amherst Housing Authority.
Preferences included current residents of Amherst, Amherst Municipal Employees, Employees of Local Businesses, and households with children attending public schools in Amherst; selected applicants were placed on the waiting list by random lottery, weighed by order of preferences.
This waiting list for Studio, 1, and 2-Bedroom Local Action Units Program units had preferences for current Amherst residents, town employees, local business employees, and households with children in Amherst public schools; selected applicants were placed by random lottery.
The Seventy Amherst Apartments waitlist for Studio, 1, and 2-bedroom Local Action Units Program was last open in August 2019 and had specific preferences.
No waitlist information currently available for this program.
The Amherst Housing Authority also provides affordable units at Presidential Apartments, which do not come with housing vouchers. Eligibility requires household income at or below 80% of AMI and additional screening by the property owner.
No waitlist information currently available for this program.
Units include 2 and 3 bedroom townhouses and one 4 bedroom farmhouse with income eligibility requirements.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Amherst 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 Amherst Housing Authority
Check Current Status
Amherst Housing Authority currently has 1 open waiting list (Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Amherst 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 $59,800/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 Amherst Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Amherst Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Amherst Housing Authority manages approximately 459 assisted housing units (444 Section 8, 15 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Amherst. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Amherst Housing Authority
Public Housing Public Housing open
Public Housing units at Amherst Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Amherst Housing Authority manages approximately 15 Public Housing units in Amherst. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Amherst 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 Amherst. This program serves approximately 444 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Local Action Units Program closed
The Local Action Units Program program at Amherst Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Amherst. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Other closed
The Other program at Amherst Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Amherst. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Amherst Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Amherst. 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.
AHVP closed
The AHVP program at Amherst Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Amherst. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Affordable Housing closed
The Affordable Housing program at Amherst Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Amherst. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
MRVP closed
The MRVP program at Amherst Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Amherst. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Other Affordable Housing closed
The Other Affordable Housing program at Amherst Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Amherst. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Amherst Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Amherst Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Amherst Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Amherst Housing Authority?
Amherst Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Amherst Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Amherst Town-Northampton, MA MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $59,800. 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 | $25,150 | $41,850 | $67,000 |
| 2 Persons | $28,750 | $47,800 | $76,550 |
| 3 Persons | $32,350 | $53,850 | $86,100 |
| 4 Persons | $35,900 | $59,800 | $95,650 |
| 5 Persons | $38,800 | $64,600 | $103,350 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $69,400 | $111,000 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $74,150 | $118,650 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $78,950 | $126,300 |
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 Amherst Housing Authority — including across state lines.