Boston Housing Authority (BHA) offers three Leased Housing programs.
Tenant-Based Voucher Program
The Tenant-Based Housing Choice Voucher Program allows low-income families to live in privately owned homes of their choice by subsidizing a portion of their rent. This program gives families the flexibility to choose their own, safe apartments at an affordable cost to them. Voucher holders are responsible for finding an apartment that accepts Housing Choice vouchers in the private market.
There are currently thousands of families participating in this program, which is federally funded. BHA issues “funding permits,” commonly called vouchers, to fund a portion of the apartment’s rent.
BHA is not currently able to accept new applications for the Tenant-Based Program and the waiting list is closed until further notice. BHA is currently only issuing new Tenant-Based vouchers under very specific circumstances, including to veterans through HUD’s Veterans' VASH voucher program and to voucher holders who have been living in project-based programs for at least one year.
Project-Based Voucher Program
The Project-Based Voucher Program allows low-income families to live in specific properties within Boston with subsidized rents. Applicants must apply for specific communities and will then be placed on that community’s waiting list.
Once housed, residents pay approximately 30% of their income toward rent. Residents who have been in this program for at least one year in good standing may be eligible for the Tenant-Based Voucher Program – which would broaden their housing options.
You can learn more about PBV communities or browse the PBV map to locate properties under this program.
Moderate Rehabilitation Program
The Moderate Rehabilitation Program allows low-income families to live in Moderate Rehabilitation specific communities with subsidized rents. Applicants must apply for specific communities, and will then be placed on that community’s waiting list.
Once housed, residents pay approximately 30% of their income toward rent.
You can learn more about Mod Rehab communities or browse the Mod Rehab map to locate properties under this program.
You can find out which Section 8/Leased Housing programs and communities you may qualify for by using the Housing Communities Search Tool. You can search current apartment listings accepting Section 8 voucher holders here.