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Somerville Housing Authority
Somerville, Massachusetts
Last Updated
12 hours ago
About Somerville Housing Authority
The Somerville Housing Authority (PHA Code: MA031) is located in Somerville, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It manages approximately 1,939 assisted housing units, which include 1,355 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and 584 Public Housing units.
Currently, the Authority is accepting applications for several programs. These include Elderly/Disabled Housing, HCV, Inclusionary Housing Program, Mainstream, Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), Public Housing, and Single Room Occupancy (SRO).
For a family of four in the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area, the Very Low Income limit is $82,700 per year. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the specific eligibility criteria for each program before applying.
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Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
The SHA is currently accepting applications for the Section 8 centralized wait list. Participants can choose any housing that meets program requirements. At least 75% of vouchers must be targeted to households at or below 30% of area median income.
Mainstream Voucher Waitlist
Status
open
Additional Notes
Mainstream vouchers enable families whose head of household or spouse has a disability to lease affordable private housing of their choice. Applicants will be selected from the SHA’s waiting list. The program operates exactly like the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program with the exception that the head of household or spouse has a disability.
Other Programs Waitlist
Inclusionary
Status
open
Open Date
Feb 2, 2026
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Consolidated Rental Waitlist. Apply online or in-person at the City Hall Annex (50 Evergreen Ave.) during regular business hours. Somerville residents who have preference and those with emergency housing needs may also receive priority.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
The SHA has implemented site-based waiting lists for its Project Based (PBV) units. Families can apply directly to projects or with the SHA. The subsidy is tied to a specific unit.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Additional Notes
Applications for Federal Public Housing (Mystic View) and Federal Elderly/Disabled Public Housing (Brady Towers, Ciampa Manor, Highland Garden, Properzi Manor, Weston Manor) require completing a Federal Preliminary Application. Applications for State Public Housing (Mystic River) and State Elderly/Disabled Public Housing (Corbett Apartments) require completing the Common Housing Application for Massachusetts Programs or applying online at CHAMP.
Senior Housing Waitlist
Elderly/Disabled Housing
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
There is a new waiting list opportunity for Elderly/Disabled Housing. Applications can be submitted online or via paper. Applications are available in multiple languages.
Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Phone
Additional Notes
The Shelter-Plus Care Program, which includes SRO housing, is administered by the Somerville Housing Authority with assistance from the Somerville Homeless Coalition. Contact the Somerville Homeless Coalition at (617) 623-6111 for application information.
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 City of Somerville's Consolidated Rental Waitlist was open from February 2, 2026, to March 2, 2026.
Local residency or employment in the Borough of Somerville was a preference, and applications were limited to the first 50 approved.
The Consolidated Rental Waitlist for the City's Inclusionary Housing Program was open from February 2, 2026, through May 18, 2026. A lottery was conducted for new applicants, with preferences for Somerville residents and those with emergency housing needs.
The Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program's waiting list closed on June 13, 2026.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Somerville 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 Somerville Housing Authority
Check Current Status
Somerville Housing Authority currently has 7 open waiting lists (Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Mainstream Voucher, Other Programs, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing, Senior Housing, Single Room Occupancy (SRO)). 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 $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 Somerville Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
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 1,939 assisted housing units (1,355 Section 8, 584 Public Housing), 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
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) open
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 1,355 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher open
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.
Other Other Programs open
The Other Programs 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.
PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) open
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 open
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. Somerville Housing Authority manages approximately 584 Public Housing units in Somerville. 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 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.
SRO Single Room Occupancy (SRO) open
The Single Room Occupancy (SRO) 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.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) 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 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 Somerville Housing Authority — including across state lines.