Housing

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Emergency Housing Needs

If you get an eviction notice and risk to become homeless, contact your town's Community Resources Coordinator (see contact info here) who can help identify which program you might be eligible for and help apply if needed.

If you risk of becoming homeless:

• If you need eviction help:

  • The state's Housing Courts has a Housing Specialist Department to help tenants and landlords reach an agreement and connect with services in the community.  For Acton & Boxborough : Northeast Housing Court in Lowell and Lawrence at (978) 689-7833 ext.502-1068

  • This  online form (the Massachusetts Defense for Eviction (MADE)) (multiple languages) from  Greater Boston Legal Services can help you explain your case to your landlord and the court. 

  • Metrowest Mediation Services offers free help for landlords and tenants to resolve problems outside the court system.

  • Get free legal help - see contacts here

• Emergency Assistance Family Shelter program:

  • Eligibility to apply for an emergency family shelter : Massachusetts resident with limited income, have children or be pregnant, have one of the following:  an official court appointed no-fault eviction, domestic violence situation, no-fault fire, flood, natural disaster, condemnation, or foreclosure or your children are exposed to a substantial health and safety risk. Check here for the complete list of criteria.

  • Find all info  at https://www.mass.gov/emergency-housing-assistance-programs.  

  • To apply for Emergency Assistance and speak with a Homeless Coordinator, please call 866-584-0653  (option 2 for Spanish, option 3 for Portuguese, etc, more languages available)

  • Families with children can also apply by visiting or calling our local DTA (Department of Transitional Assistance) office  -  Lowell DTA office, 131 Davidson Street 978-446-2400, open Thursday only

  • More information / options also at the website of the Massachusetts Coalition of the Homeless  (the list of shelters is outdated though)

  • Other information at https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/state/massachusetts#google_vignette

  • The HomeBASE Program provides financial help to rent for people who are eligible for the  Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter program.   The shelter case managers help to apply.

If you are in an abusive situation at home:

Contact Domestic Violence Services Network at 888 399 6111 (toll-free and confidential) or dvsn.connects@gmail.com.  They can help you understand your situation and make a safety plan based on your needs and wants. 

Non-Emergency Affordable Housing Needs

Affordable Housing Programs

To know whether you're eligible for any benefits or housing grants, or to ensure you have all the documentation needed to get on the affordable housing wait list (via Acton Housing Authority), contact your town's Community Resources Coordinator - see contact info here..  They cannot help you find housing though.  

Finding affordable housing in Massachusetts is very tough at the moment.  It will take time.   There are lots of applications and waiting lists.  Since many people are putting their names on multiple waiting lists, try not to get discouraged, your name could come up sooner than you might think.

You can find a list of local apartment complexes here.

Local Housing Authorities and Affordable Housing Programs

Acton and Boxborough residents who have a lower income, contact the Acton Housing Authority to check whether you are eligible for affordable housing programs and to get on the waitlists for affordable housing programs.   (the full list of Local Housing Authorities (LHA) is here).  Our local LHA is Acton Housing Authority:

ACTON HOUSING AUTHORITY - 978 263 5339 -  68 Windsor Avenue, Acton, MA 01720, www.actonhousing.net. 

Contact Marianne Nelson, Waitlist Coordinator,  978-263-5339 x 108 for questions/applications to waitlists.

These housing programs can include

• State Public Housing (family and elderly/handicapped) : apply at an LHA or apply online on the state centralized waitlist CHAMP  or call 866-483-6445

• AHVP (Alternative Housing Voucher Program, for disabled individuals under 60):  apply at an LHA or apply online on the state centralized waitlist CHAMP  

• MRVP (Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program):  apply at a participating LHA.  Does not verify immigration status.   All can apply through CHAMP who meets income limits.  You can get a voucher and live anywhere in MA but you need to find your own housing and someone who takes a voucher.

• Project-Based Vouchers:  apply at a participating LHA.  You need to live in that town.

• Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher Program):  apply at a participating LHA or online on the state centralized (long) waitlist .  If you get a Section 8 voucher, you can rent on the private market and get a voucher to reduce your monthly rent.  Anyone under the income limits can apply but at least one in the household must be documented.

• Federal Public Housing:  apply at a participating LHA

Affordable Housing Search Resources for Renters and Home Buyers

• Housing Navigator  https://search.housingnavigatorma.org/

The official state online search tool for accessible and affordable rental listings in MA.  It provides up-to-date, verified listings with photos and information on bedroom mix, affordability, accessibility, and amenities. It also advertises open waitlists, lotteries, and open units. 

• • Note: Some of the housing is Project Based Section 8 that is private (not affiliated with a housing authority) which requires calling and getting applications.   If the application brings you to the CHAMP website, then you have either applied already or need to apply and include that town

• If you don't find affordable housing via the Housing Navigator, you can check our Housing List on this website with the list of all apartment buildings in Acton and Boxborough (we don't know whether they have available units)

• South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) in Framingham 

Their Housing and Consumer Education Center is specialized in helping people apply for RAFT financial help, provide a free financial literacy zoom class (budgeting, credit, loan..)  (every month end) and in helping people with a mental illness to get housing. Walk-ins welcome or call 508-872-4853 to schedule an appointment.  More information here.  

• MCO Housing Services

Lists of affordable housing in Eastern MA for rent  and for sale - some are available now, for some you can sign-up for lottery.  (not many in Acton / Boxborough)

• MassHousing           617-854-1000

Lists affordable rental opportunities in MA (not many in Acton/Boxborough) .  

• You can find rooms for rent at Next Door  www.nextdoor.com  You can sign up for different areas and read their blogs.  Not vetted.

•  Regional Housing Services Office (RHSO)     in Acton, 978-287-1092

Has some useful info and links for renters (energy improvements, renters' rights workshop recording...)

Finding Housing for Home Buyers

• My Mass Home https://www.mymasshome.org/

The official online search tool for accessible and affordable homeownership opportunities in MA.  Provides lots of useful steps and tips and affordable mortgages and down payment assistance.

• MCO Housing Services

Lists of affordable housing in Eastern MA for rent  and for sale - some are available now, for some you can sign-up for lottery.  (not many in Acton / Boxborough)

• MassHousing       www.masshousing.com     617-854-1000

Has a lot of information for first time buyers and home owner education. 

•  Regional Housing Services Office (RHSO)     in Acton, 978-287-1092

Manages lotteries and resales of some affordable units and offers links to organizations that teach first-time homebuyer courses, offer down payment assistance, offer low-interest and fixed-rate mortgages for low- and moderate-income households, and have listings of homes and condos for sale that are subsidized.  For Acton and some surrounding towns only, Boxborough is not part of this town collaboration group.

• SMOC Housing and Consumer Education Center in Framingham 

Provides first time home owner buyers classes 508-620-2402/508-872-0765, nkane@smoc.org

Renter Support

Housing Repair Assistance

Financial Support and Emergency Grants for Housing, Utilities, Internet, Furniture, Moving

Find the following information on here - on this website abuw.org/resources under the section "Cost Saving Programs" for eligible residents

• Emergency grants for rent / mortgage / utilities

• Affordable utilities and internet  

• Energy Savings

• Places to get free furniture

• Help with moving