How can we help?
Homelessness
HUD supports many organizations that provide housing assistance and/or supportive services to people.
HUD is not a direct service provider. For direct assistance, please dial 2-1-1 and contact a homeless service provider in your area.
- Dial 2-1-1
- Contact a homeless service provider
- Emergency Shelter Listings
- Emergency Rental Assistance (RAFT) - The Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program provides short-term emergency funding to help you with eviction, foreclosure, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies.
- HomeBASE A rehousing benefit created to provide families who are in emergency shelter assistance to overcome some of the financial barriers to ending their homelessness. If you are in a housing crisis and need help and/or want to know more about the HomeBASE Program, call (866) 584-0653.
- Search to find MA community organizations working to preserve affordable housing, prevent eviction and reduce family homelessness
- Veterans:
Contact the VA Medical Center near you and mention your interest in Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) or find instructions for contacting the National Homeless Veteran Call Center here. You may also call the Veterans Affairs Emergency Housing Hotline for assistance at (877) 424-3838.
MA Executive Office of Veteran Services - Please visit the website or call the office at (617) 210-5480.
Open Monday through Friday, 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for assistance. - Seniors/Persons with disabilities:
Seniors looking for housing options can contact Aging Services Access Points at (800) 243-4636.
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission - Main (617) 204-3600
Voice/TDD (800) 245-6543 - Persons Experiencing Violence:
Massachusetts Domestic Violence Services by County
Safelink Domestic Violence Hotline: (877) 785-2020
Affordable Places to Live
HUD supports many organizations that provide housing assistance and/or supportive services to people.
HUD is not a direct service provider. For direct assistance, please refer to the following resources:
- Speak to a HUD Approved Housing Counselor for advice with your specific housing needs. Search online for a HUD Approved Housing Counselor near you, or call (800) 569-4287.
- Apply for the MA Centralized Waiting List - The Massachusetts Section 8 Centralized Waiting List is a partnership of 102 Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts which streamlines their application process for a Section 8 Voucher. HUD does not maintain or have access to the waiting list, to check your status on the Centralized Waiting List you should contact the public housing authority where you applied or the Centralized Waiting List online or at (866) 466-7328
- Contact your Local Public Housing Authority for information about public housing programs (Housing Choice Vouchers HUD Facts, Public Housing).
- Search our MA Housing Resource Guide – English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Pashto, Haitian Creole, Dari, Chinese Simplified, Arabic
Massachusetts Public Housing Authorities or call (800) 955-2232 for help to find your local Public Housing Authority. - Use the HUD Resource Locator to find affordable housing opportunities near you.
**Please note, the HUD Resource Locator does not show property vacancy. Please call the management company directly & to inquire about vacancies, wait lists or the application process.- HUD does not have applications for these properties.
- HUD does not have information about the vacancies in these properties.
- HUD does not maintain waiting lists.
- How to apply for MA State Public Housing - 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.
- Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Properties
A tax credit property is owned by a developer or landlord who participates in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. These owners can claim tax credits for renting some or all units to low- or moderate- income tenants at restricted rent. LIHTC rents are not based on tenant's income but instead set by the use restriction tied to the unit. Note: LIHTC owners accept Section 8 voucher tenants.To be eligible for an affordable unit in a LIHTC property, you must make no more than the income limit for that unit. LIHTC rents are not based on your income, but instead is set by the use restrictions tied to the unit.
To get further information on LIHTC properties, contact Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (617) 573-1100. - Looking for an affordable apartment in MA or search the MA Housing Navigator
- Local Listings
You are also advised to check your local city and/or county's website for additional affordable housing opportunities.
HUD has rental assistance and housing resources through the Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs.
- Public Housing provides decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly and persons with disabilities. HUD provides federal aid to local Public Housing Authorities (PHA) that manage public housing for low-income residents at rents they can afford.
- Eligibility: Public Housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. A Public Housing Authority determines eligibility based on 1) annual gross income, 2) whether you qualify as elderly, a person with disabilities or as a family, and 3) U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status.
- To apply, contact your MA Public Housing Authorities.
Housing Choice Voucher (commonly known as Section 8)
- The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program assists low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private market. Housing assistance is provided through HUD on behalf of the family or individual, so participants can find their own housing. You can use an HCV to pay for all or part of the rent.
- Eligibility: A Public Housing Authority will determine eligibility for the housing choice voucher program based on the total annual gross income and family size, U.S. citizenship and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status.
- To apply, contact your MA Public Housing Authorities. During the application process, a Public Housing Authority will collect information on family income, assets and family composition. The Public Housing Authority will use this information to determine program eligibility and the amount of the housing assistance payment.
Homeownership
- Connect with a MA Housing Consumer Education Center near you to learn about homebuying assistance or the Massachusetts Housing Partnership
- Speak with a HUD Approved Housing Counselor about foreclosure avoidance. A HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency can offer expert advice customized to your unique housing needs. HUD Approved Housing Counselors in MA or call (800) 569-4287.
- MassHousing Homeownership Programs
- Find the answer online
- Email us
- Call toll-free (800) CALL-FHA (800-225-5342)
TTY: Dial 7-1-1 (Not available in all areas)
- Use the HUD Home Store to find HUD homes for sale (See Maine)
- Find Information on my FHA loan
- Use the SMART Integrated Portal to make a request and begin the subordination process (see SMART FAQs & Resources)
- Contact a Secretary-Held Mortgage Servicing Contractor
- If you have questions or need additional assistance, contact the FHA Resource Center
Email: answers@hud.gov
Call: (800) 225-5342
I want to make my home more energy efficient, what resources are available?
Massachusetts Home Repair Programs
- Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation - Home Improvement Contractor Program
- MassHousing - home improvement, septic system repair, and lead paint removal loans
- Rebuilding Together, Inc. - assists low-income, elderly and disabled homeowners with home repairs
- Habitat for Humanity - through volunteer labor, builds houses for families in need
- Habitat for Humanity ReStores - discounted used and surplus building materials
- Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission - home modification loan program for persons with disabilities
- Veterans Affairs Regional Loan Center - loans and grants to qualifying veterans to adapt existing dwelling to meet specific needs
- USDA Rural Development Office - home improvement loans and grants to low-income homeowners in rural areas
Want to save money on your utility bills? Find advice and get help here.
- Weatherization Assistance Program - free and reduced-cost weatherization services
- Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources
- MassSAVE - free home energy assessments to qualifying residents
- Housing Energy Programs - provide households assistance with paying a portion of heating bills, heating system repair and replacement services, and home energy saving services.
Don't lose your home! Here are some default and foreclosure resources in MA to assist:
- Speak with a HUD Approved Housing Counselor about foreclosure avoidance. A HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency can offer expert advice customized to your unique housing needs. Search online for a MA HUD Approved Housing Counselor near you.
- MassHousing - foreclosure prevention loans
- MA Housing Assistance - Emergency and long-term assistance
- Legal Assistance Attorney General's - foreclosure resources
Are there programs to help remove lead from my home?
- Help Yourself to a Healthy Home
- Department of Public Health - lead poisoning prevention program
- Financial help to get the lead out of your home
Report Housing Discrimination
* The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status, or disability.
- Please visit the Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Page
- File a complaint with HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO):
- Online
- Call: (800) 669-9777
- File a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
Rent Relief & Eviction Resources
HUD supports many organizations that provide housing assistance and/or supportive services to people.
HUD is not a direct service provider. For direct assistance, please refer to the following resources:
- Seek Legal Assistance or Massachusetts Housing Assistance: Emergency and long-term help
- HUD Rent Relief Resources
- Apply for MA RAFT (Emergency Help for Housing Costs)
- Speak with a HUD Approved Housing Counselor to help avoid eviction:
A HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency can offer expert advice customized to help you prevent eviction. Search online for a HUD Approved Housing Counselor near you or call (800) 569-4287 - Tenants Rights and Responsibilities
- Speak with a HUD Approved Housing Counselor about the types of rental assistance available to assist. A HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency can offer expert advice customized to your specific housing needs.Search online for a HUD Approved Housing Counselor near you
- Get Help Paying Rent and Bills
- HUD Rent Relief Resources
- Apply for MA RAFT (Emergency Help for Housing Costs)
- Help paying your utility bill in MA - (877) 886-5066
- Contact the Home Energy Assistance Program
Speak to a Housing Counselor
- Becoming a homeowner
- Managing or budgeting your finances
- Bringing your mortgage current
- Foreclosure assistance
- Reverse mortgages
- Home improvements/repairs to my home
- Renting
Speak with a HUD Approved Housing Counselor. A HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency can offer expert advice customized to your specific housing needs.
- Search online for a HUD Approved housing counselor near you or call (800) 569-4287.
Housing Quality & Improved Living Conditions
- Resident Information
- REAC Real Estate Assessment Center
- Housing Quality Standards ensure decent, safe and sanitary housing for HUD residents. Report any issues to your landlord, property owner, or manager. This is an important first step. Your property manager or landlord is the best contact to address your concern. If they don’t know about an issue, they can’t help or fix it.
- USDA Rural Development local office - housing repair and rehabilitation loans
- There are various federal loan programs and community-based programs to help with home repairs and improvements. Learn more about HUD's Home Improvements programs.
- Massachusetts Home Repair Programs
Disaster Resources
- Immediately after a disaster, FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and other government agencies offer initial assistance. HUD then provides additional support for ongoing recovery through programs and partnerships.
- Register with FEMA online at: www.disasterassistance.gov
- Register through FEMA’s disaster app on your smartphone. If you haven’t downloaded the app yet, you can go to www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products
- Call (800) 621-3362. Phone lines are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are on duty.
- Reach out to your local Red Cross in Massachusetts.
- HUD Disaster Resources
- Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency - ensures the state is prepared to withstand, respond to and recover from all types of emergencies and disasters.
- Speak with a HUD Approved Housing Counselor. A HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency can offer expert advice customized to your specific housing needs. Search online for a HUD Approved Housing Counselor near you
My Local Office Information
For assistance at all times, we encourage you to utilize the self-help resources above.
If you are unable to have your questions answered from the resources above, please click on the Need More Help button below to contact your local office for further assistance.
Massachusetts Field Office
10 Causeway Street, Room 301
Boston, MA 02222
Phone: (617) 994-8200
TTY: (617) 565-5453
Fax: (202) 485-9026
Rhonda Siciliano, Field Office Director
Interested in learning more about what HUD is doing in your community?
⚠ In Distress? Reach Out for Help Now
At HUD, we know housing challenges often come with other struggles. You’re not alone. These resources can help with safe housing, emergencies, or connecting with someone who will listen.
If you are in immediate danger or need urgent help, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Life’s challenges can sometimes be difficult. If you are feeling overwhelmed, facing mental health struggles, or emotional distress, free support is available any time:
- Call: 988
- Text: 988
- Chat: 988lifeline.org
Trained counselors are here to listen and help, 24/7.
Support for Domestic Violence Survivors. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, confidential help is available 24/7:
- Call: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Text: "Start" to 88788
- Visit: The National Domestic Violence Hotline
Mental Health & Substance Use Support. The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline offers free and confidential support for mental health, drug or alcohol use, and recovery:
- Call: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- TTY: 1-800-487-4889
- Text: Your ZIP code to 435748
- Visit: SAMHSA's National Helpline
Rental, Homelessness, and Eviction Help. Need help with housing challenges, like eviction, renting, foreclosure, or credit issues?
- Find a Housing Counselor: HUD's Housing Counseling Resources
- Call: 800-569-4287 (or 202-708-1455 for TTY) for multilingual assistance or disaster relief assistance.
- Visit: www.findhelp.org