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Reading Housing Authority
Reading, Massachusetts
Last Updated
15 hours ago
Public Housing waitlist opens in 8 days — Sep 8, 2026
About Reading Housing Authority
The Reading Housing Authority, located in Reading, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, manages approximately 128 assisted housing units. These units are primarily administered through Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV). The authority offers various programs including Housing Choice Vouchers, Mainstream vouchers, Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), Public Housing, and Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) units.
All waiting lists for these housing assistance programs are presently closed and not accepting new applications. For potential applicants, it is important to note the income limits; for a family of four, the very low income limit is $82,700 per year. This limit is based on the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area. Interested individuals should monitor the authority for future announcements regarding waiting list openings.
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Opening Soon
1 upcomingPublic Housing Waitlist
Current Status
Currently Closed — Opens Sep 8, 2026
Application Window
Sep 8, 2026 – Sep 10, 2026
Details
The Public Housing Waiting List will open at 8:00 AM Tuesday, September 8, 2026, and close at midnight Thursday, September 10, 2026. This opening is for 0-BR apartments (for 1-person, elderly 62+ or disabled 18+) and 1-BR apartments (for 2-person, elderly 62+ or disabled 18+) in Rhodes, Eisenhower & Hubert Apartments, Kennedy & Franklin Towers, and Hensler Homes. General Occupancy 1-2-3-4 BR units are available in Glenside and Oakbrook Homes, and 5-BR units are available in Oakbrook Homes only. Preferences are given to individuals and families who live in the City of Reading and to veteran/veteran families. A lottery-based selection process may be used if applications exceed 18 months of predicted unit availability. Applicants will apply online at readingha.org.
Other Programs
6 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.
Locally administered affordable housing that is not tied to a single federal voucher program. Eligibility and rents are set by the housing authority or developer, often with income limits based on area median income.
Due to high demand, a lottery system is often used. Preferences are given to veteran/veteran families and families residing in Reading, MA; participants must live in Reading for one year before porting their voucher.
The Mainstream waiting list is currently closed. There is no information about when it will reopen.
The Affordable Housing Program waiting list for Reading Housing Authority in Reading, MA is currently closed. RHA's Affordable Rentals are private rental communities, owned and managed by RHA, and are not public housing. Rents are not subsidized, but households who already have a housing voucher ...
The Project-Based Voucher (PBV) waiting list is currently closed. There is no information about when it will reopen.
The RAD waiting list is currently closed. There is no information about when it will reopen.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Reading 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 Reading Housing Authority
Check Current Status
All waiting lists at Reading Housing Authority are currently closed, but 1 list is expected to open soon. Prepare your documents now so you can apply immediately when the window opens.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Reading 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 Reading Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Reading Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Reading Housing Authority manages approximately 128 assisted housing units (128 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Reading. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Reading Housing Authority
Affordable Affordable Housing closed
The Affordable Housing program at Reading Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Reading. 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 Reading 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 Reading. This program serves approximately 128 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Reading 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.
Other Other Programs closed
The Other Programs program at Reading Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Reading. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Reading Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Reading. 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 Reading 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.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Reading Housing Authority converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Reading maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Reading Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Reading Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Reading Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Reading Housing Authority?
Reading Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Reading 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 Reading Housing Authority — including across state lines.