What is rental assistance (Section 8)?
Can anyone apply for rental assistance (Section 8)?
What are Priority One categories?
Can I apply for both rental assistance (Section 8) and the family public housing program?
Can I apply for both rental assistance (Section 8) and elderly/disabled housing?
What is a client control number?
Does the BHA check an applicant's past history in order to determine if he/she is eligible for housing?
How do I find out the status of my application or my place on the waiting list?
How long does it take to receive a voucher from the BHA?
How long is a rental assistance voucher good for?
Can I use rental assistance (Section 8) to move outside of Boston?
What size unit is appropriate for my household?
After I receive my voucher, how do I begin receiving rental assistance?
What will I be expected to pay for rent?
Does the BHA pay my rental assistance to me or my landlord?
What happens if my income or family composition changes after I begin receiving rental assistance?
How often is my income reviewed?
What happens if my unit needs repairs?
How long can I remain in the rental assistance (Section 8) program?
What if I want to move at the end of my lease?
What if my owner wants me to move?

What is rental assistance (Section 8)?
A rental assistance (Section 8) voucher is a government subsidy that allows eligible families to rent in the private market and pay approximately 30% to 40% of their income toward rent. The BHA pays the remainder of the rent directly to the landlord.

Can anyone apply for rental assistance (Section 8)?
No, the BHA rental assistance waiting list is currently closed. Wheelchair Accessible public housing applications and Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation and Project-Based program applications are still being accepted. For more information about these programs, please call the BHA Housing Service Center at 617-988-4200.

What are Priority One categories?

• Displacement due to disaster
• Displacement due to condemned housing
• Displacement due to court-ordered/no-fault eviction
• Displacement due to domestic violence
• Homelessness
• Displacement to avoid reprisal
• Victim of hate crime
• Inaccessibility of dwelling unit (disabled individuals only)
• Loss of Rent Control
• Cessation of Public Assistance
• Loss of Transitional Housing (elderly/disabled individuals only)

See Priorities & Preferences for Rental Assistance (Section 8) for more information.

Can I apply for both rental assistance (Section 8) and the family public housing program?
No, the Rental Assistance (Section 8) Program is currently closed to new applicants.

Can I apply for both rental assistance (Section 8) and elderly/disabled housing?
No, the Rental Assistance (Section 8) Program is currently closed to new applicants.

What is a client control number?
A client control number is a number assigned to every BHA applicant and resident. This number will be requested by BHA staff anytime an applicant or resident speaks with a BHA staff member. It can also be used to check on an applicant's place on the waiting list.

Does the BHA check an applicant's past history in order to determine if he/she is eligible for housing?
Yes. The BHA checks an applicant's past rental history and also does a criminal records check to help determine if an applicant is eligible for housing. If an applicant is determined not eligible for housing, the applicant has the right to file an appeal with the BHA. For more information on filing an appeal, applicants may contact the BHA's Office of Civil Rights at 617-988-4383.

How do I find out the status of my application or my place on the waiting list?
If you are an applicant you may call 617-988-4200 to check your application status. Please have your client control number ready.
You may also check your status using a form online at: Check Application/ Waiting List Status by E-mail. You will receive a response through e-mail.

How long does it take to receive a voucher from the BHA?
The amount of time it takes to receive a rental assistance voucher depends on the level of priority, date of application and current demand. Therefore, it is very difficult for the BHA to predict how long a housing offer will take.

How long is a rental assistance voucher good for?
Once a voucher is issued, a participant has 120 days to find a suitable apartment before the voucher expires. However, under certain situations, the 120-day period can be extended (See Rental Assistance Voucher Extensions for more information).

Can I use rental assistance (Section 8) to move outside of Boston?
Yes. Rental assistance (Section 8) may be used in any area in the United States that has a rental assistance program.

What size unit is appropriate for my household?
Rental assistance recipients are required to follow certain occupancy standards that limit the number of residents according to the number of bedrooms. The following is a basic guide (exceptions follow):
family size/ eligible for:
1 person/ 0-1 BR
2 people/ 1-2 BR
3 people/ 2-3 BR
4 people/ 2-4 BR
5 people/ 3-5 BR
6 people/ 3-6 BR
7-8 people/ 4-6 BR
9-12 people/ 5-6 BR
A living room will not be counted as a bedroom, except in studios. The head of household and spouse or partner shall be entitled to one bedroom. Household members under 25 who are of the same gender shall share a bedroom, with the following exemptions:
A. If one houshold member is over 14, s/he may not be required to share a bedroom with a member who is more than 10 years younger.
B. Household members of different genders or generations are not required to share bedrooms.

After I receive my voucher, how do I begin receiving rental assistance?
To begin receiving housing assistance, you must do the following:

• Find a unit you agree to rent from a landlord willing to participate in the rental assistance program
• Complete and sign a Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) with the landlord
• If the rent is within the payment standards (See Rental Assistance Payment Standards) defined by the BHA, an inspection of the apartment by the BHA will be scheduled.
• BHA and landlord enter into lease agreement
  

What will I be expected to pay for rent?
Rental assistance (Section 8) recipients are expected to pay 30% to 40% of their total household income for rent.

Does the BHA pay my rental assistance to me or my landlord?
The BHA pays your rental assistance to the landlord on the first of each month. You must also pay your share of the rent each month. Failure to do so can lead to termination of your rental assistance.

What happens if my income or family composition changes after I begin receiving rental assistance?
Whenever your income changes or you have a change in family composition (persons moving in or out of your household) you are required to report the change to the BHA's Leased Housing Department. The BHA will determine if and when a change in rent is required.

How often is my income reviewed?
Every household that receives housing assistance must undergo an annual recertification. Approximately 60-90 days prior to your anniversary date, we will schedule and conduct a reinspection of your unit. We will also send you forms to complete and return in order to verify your income and eligibility for the program. When you receive this request for information, you must respond by the due dates stated in the letter. Failure to do so may lead to termination of your rental assistance.

What happens if my unit needs repairs?
You should notify you landlord immediately if your unit is in need of a repair. If violations are found at the time of an initial or annual inspection conduced by the BHA, a letter will be sent to your landlord with a copy to you. The violations must be corrected within 30 days and our office will conduct a re-inspection to verify that the items have been corrected.

How long can I remain in the rental assistance (Section 8) program?
Current program rules allow you to continue to receive housing assistance as long as you are income-eligible and as long as you fulfill your tenant obligations established by HUD for the program. You will lose your assistance when your income rises to the point that your portion of the rent matches or exceeds the full amount of the rent, or if you are terminated from the program for violating the rules.

What if I want to move at the end of my lease?
Before you can move to another unit and continue to receive your housing assistance, you must complete your tenant obligations under your current lease. This includes giving your landlord a proper 30-day notice to vacate, and sending a copy of the notice to the Leased Housing Department.

What if my owner wants me to move?
If you are a rental assistance participant, your owner may request that you move at the end of your lease term. If you receive a written notice to move, call the Leased Housing Department. It is very important for you to fulfill your lease obligations and pay your rent on time each month. If you violate any of your lease provisions, your landlord may serve a notice for lease violations. In this case you may no longer be eligible for the program. Contact the Leased Housing Department as soon as you receive any written notice from your landlord.