What types of housing subsidy programs are found in the RHSO area?

There are many housing programs found in the RHSO area. 

Chapters 200 and 705 State Public Housing (PHS Family) – The Chapter 200 and Chapter 705 Public Housing State programs are subsidized by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to provide housing for low-income families. Local housing authorities (LHAs) create housing developments for low-income families by constructing new units and/or acquiring existing homes or condominium units.  Income limits are set at 80% of the median income for the area in which the community is located, varying by household size and location. Tenants who live in state-aided family housing pay 30% of their income for rent if utilities are included in the rent or 25% of their income if the tenant pays for his/her utilities separately.

Chapter 667 State Public Housing (PHS Senior/Disabled)  – The Chapter 667 program is subsidized by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to provide housing for low-income senior and handicapped persons.  Persons who are at least 60 years of age are considered senior. Non-elderly low income persons with one or more physical or mental impairments may be determined eligible for Ch. 667 housing if the impairment is considered to be long and continued duration; and if the private market is unavailable to provide the applicant with the necessary special architectural design features and forces him or her to live in decadent, substandard housing and/or pay excessive rents.  Income limits are set at 80% of the median income for the area in which the community is located.  Tenants who live in state-aided Chapter 667 senior/handicapped housing pay 30% of their income for rent. The department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) provides subsidy funds to local housing authorities to cover the costs of operating state-aided housing not provided for by reduced rents of 30% of income.

Chapters 689 and 167 State Public Housing (PHS Special Needs) – The Chapter 689 and Chapter 167 programs are subsidized by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to provide housing with specialized services for persons with mental illness, mental or physical disabilities. The purpose of these programs is to provide onsite services so tenants can maintain a maximum level of independence. 

Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBB 40B) - The FHLBB Program provides member financial institutions with advances to support housing and community-development initiatives that benefit moderate-income households and neighborhoods.  Developments are permitted under the Commonwealth’s Chapter 40B process. 

Federal Public Housing (PHF)
Federal public housing is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). There are two types of federally funded public housing: Federally funded family public housing and federally funded public housing for seniors and people with disabilities. The Federally funded family public housing is open to families, single people, people of all ages, and people with disabilities who meet certain income guidelines. The Federally funded public housing for seniors and people with disabilities is available to households where the head of household or spouse is at least 62 years of age or has a disability and is income eligible.

HOME Investments Partnership Program (Local HOME) – The HOME Program is a federal housing subsidy program administered by the state, certain large cities, and certain groups of municipalities that have formed a HOME consortium.  Bedford, Concord, Lexington and Sudbury are some of the members of the WestMetro HOME consortium led by Newton. 

Housing Opportunity Program (HOP) -  HOP was a state program designed to encourage the construction of affordable ownership housing, it has been succeeded by the Local Initiative Program.  It is no longer active although units developed under this program will continue to be resold at affordable prices. 

HUD Project-based Section 8 Assistance (HUD PBA) – The US Department of Housing and Urban Development working through local public housing authorities and regional housing agencies provides rental assistance to specific apartment units within a larger apartment development.  Tenants of these units pay 30% of their income toward the rent.  Tenants must be at or below 80% of area median income; although, HUD has policies in place that target lower incomes.  HUD provides this search engine for all its developments including those that have Project-based assistance.

HUD Section 811 Housing (HUD 811) – The US Department of Housing and Urban Development provided grant funds to construct housing for disabled individuals and to provide ongoing Project-based rental assistance.  People interested in renting a HUD 811 unit must apply directly to the management office of the development.  HUD provides this search engine for HUD 811 (and HUD 202 housing for the elderly).

Local Initiative Program (LIP 40B and LIP LAU)- Local Initiative Program (LIP) is a state program that encourages the creation of affordable housing by providing technical assistance to communities and developers who are working together to create affordable rental or ownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income households.  Developments under the LIP Program are sponsored by the Town, and the Chief Executive Office of the municipality is required to sign the application.  There are two types of LIPs: LIP 40B Chapter 40B Comprehensive Permit developments (also known as a Friendly 40B) and LIP LAU Local Action Units (LAU).  Local Action Units are created when the units are permitted under an Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw or Special Permit or the units are existing.  Monitoring for LIP units and developments is a shared responsibility between the municipality and DHCD. 

Local Resources – Massachusetts cities and towns have created affordable housing through a variety of local resources.  Typically, this involved the sale of town-owned land or buildings to a developer at a discounted price in exchange for long-term affordability restrictions. 

Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program (LIHTC) – The Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program is a federal housing subsidy program administered by the state.  Developers compete for an allocation of tax credits that are used to pay a portion of the development costs in exchange for an agreement by the developer to rent a certain percentage of the units at rents affordable to households at or below 60% of area median income (or in some cases 50% of area median income). People interested in renting an apartment financed with tax credits should apply through the management office of the development.

Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) – The Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services contracts with non-profit human service providers who operate group residences for adults with developmental disabilities.  People with interest in residing in a group residence should contact the local area office of the Department of Developmental Development.

Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) – The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health contracts with non-profit human service providers who operate group residences for adults with mental health needs.  People with interest in residing in a group residence should contact the local area office of the Department of Mental Health.

Massachusetts Housing Partnership Permanent Financing (MHP Perm Plus) – MHP’s Permanent Financing provides low interest mortgage financing to developers of housing developments that agree to rent a portion of the development (typically 20-40%) at below-market rents to income-eligible tenants.  When funding allows, this was sometimes combined with a 0% second mortgage called Perm Plus.  People interested in renting apartments financed by MHP must apply through the management office of the development.

MassHousing Chapter 13-A – MassHousing’s 13-A program provided mortgage interest subsidies to owners of housing developments in exchange for affordability restrictions on some or all of the units.  People interested in renting apartments in 13-A developments must apply through the management office of the development.

MassHousing Housing Starts (40B) - MassHousing's Housing Starts program promotes the construction of new for-sale housing under the Commonwealth's Chapter 40B. Through Housing Starts, developers can apply for site approval, the first step toward obtaining a comprehensive permit.  Monitoring for MassHousing 40B units and developments is performed by a third-party Monitoring Agent, as specified in the Monitoring Services Agreement (often found recorded after the Regulatory Agreement).

MassHousing Mixed Income Financing Programs – MassHousing’s Mixed Income Financing programs provide low interest mortgage financing to developers of housing developments that agree to rent a portion of the development (typically 20-40%) at below-market rents to income-eligible tenants.  People interested in renting apartments in Mixed Income developments must apply through the management office of the development.  Past Mixed Income Financing programs included SHARP, TELLER, and RDAL.

Other State Subsidy Financing (HSF, AHTF, HOME, CATNHP, CBH, FCF, and HIF) - The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) offers many sources of subsidized financing for affordable housing developments with different rent, income and eligibility criteria.  For more information click here.