Applicants

Federal Applications

Click here for a copy of the Federal Application for Elder/Disabled and Federal Family Public Housing form.

One Bedroom Apartments only
Must be 62 Years or Older or disabled or handicapped

Click here for a copy of the Section 8 Project Based Voucher Program (PBV) Form.

Click here to visit Massachusetts NAHRO (Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, Centralized Waiting List) for additional information.

State Applications

State applications are available from the Department of Housing and Community Development's website or from our links below. The Universal Application for State Aided MRVP & AHVP, and the Application for State-Aided Public Housing can be submitted to any Local Housing Agency that administers programs funded by DHCD. Please visit the following links on our website for the applications:

Click here for a copy of the Universal Standard Application for State-Aided MRVP & AHVP.

Applicants can apply using the CHAMP application online at www.mass.gov/applyforpublichousing or can download a CHAMP paper application on DHCD’s website, www.mass.gov/dhcd.

Click here for a copy of the Application for State-Aided Public Housing (CHAMP).

State Emergency Applications are available upon request.

Public Housing Programs

Public housing comes in all sizes and types.  Some apartments are for families and others for the elderly or disabled.  Public housing residents pay 30% - 32% of their total income toward rent. 

There are several factors that determine if someone is eligible for public housing or not. Your income, criminal history, immigration status, and past rental history are all considered.

The MHA’s Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP) details eligibility requirements and is based on state and federal regulations.

There are several programs that fall under the public housing umbrella.

• Wheelchair Accessible Housing: If you are interested in MHA housing and require a wheelchair accessible unit, check the box to the right of the question, “Is any member of your household in a wheelchair?” These units are equipped with a roll-under stove and sink, and a wheelchair accessible bathroom. 
• Family Housing: Anyone can apply for family public housing. Bedroom sizes range from one to five-bedroom units.
• Elderly/Disabled Housing: Eligibility for elderly/disabled housing differs based on whether they are funded by the State or by the Federal government.  Applicants for state-funded developments must be at least 60 years old and/or disabled. Applicants for federally funded developments must be at least 62 years old and/or disabled.

Section 8 Voucher Rental Assistance

In most cases Section 8 voucher families pay 30% to 40% of their total income toward rent.

There are several factors that determine if someone is eligible for Section 8:  your income, criminal history, and immigration status are all considered. Eligibility details are contained in the MHA’s Administrative Plan, which is based on state and federal regulations.

There are two types of Section 8 Housing programs – you can find your own apartment using the tenant-based Voucher program or you can receive rental assistance for specific properties through the Project Based Voucher (PBV) program.

The Section 8 Tenant Based Voucher - Find Your Own Apartment

Tenant-based voucher programs, also called mobile vouchers, allow participants in the program to rent an apartment or house in the private market anywhere in Massachusetts (or other community in the United States or its territories). Residents pay approximately 30% to 40% of their income toward rent, and the MHA pays the rest directly to the landlord.

There are three tenant-based voucher programs.

• Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program: This program provides rental assistance through subsidies for eligible low-income families.
• Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP): This voucher program is overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Currently closed to new applicants.

Project Based Section 8 - Rental Assistance for Specific Properties

Project-based voucher programs provide rental subsidy to specific properties.  

There are two project-based voucher programs.

• The Project-Based Voucher Program (PVB):  PBV provides rental assistance for specific apartments. Residents pay 30% of their income toward rent

Housing Availability

The MHA processes many new applications every day. Because there are many more applicants than housing, there is a lengthy waiting list. It is difficult to predict the time between applying and receiving a housing offer – it can sometimes take years.

The MHA has no immediate housing available. The first step is to complete an application at the MHA at our administrative offices at 630 Salem Steet.  As housing becomes available, the MHA schedules personal interviews with applicants. Applicants are required to provide verification of their eligibility at the time of the interview.

Applicants who currently reside in Malden, Melrose, Stoneham, Wakefield, Reading, Winchester and the following additional communities directly physically contiguous to any one or more of same: Revere, Everett, Medford, Arlington, Lexington, Woburn, North Reading, Wilmington, Saugus, and Lynnfield may qualify for a local preference and could receive a housing offer sooner than applicants who do not.

What Do I Need to Apply?

You will need to provide the information listed below for all members of your household included on your application if they will be living with you at the time you are housed with the MHA.

• Photo identification.
• Your mailing address including the correct zip code.
• Information regarding total weekly, monthly, or annual income and assets for all members of your household.
• Social Security numbers for all members of your household.
• Date of birth for all members of your household.
• Estimated total annual expenses for medical, childcare, and care for disabled member expenses, and mandatory support payments.    
• Completed and signed priority third-party verification form(s) and/or documents.

Am I Eligible?

Housing eligibility varies by programs. MHA staff evaluate each individual application and make an eligibility decision. Here are some general guidelines that the MHA uses to assess your eligibility.

• Income limits: Check the most current income limits:
• Background screening: Background check for criminal history, eviction records, ability to pay rent on time and maintain a clean and healthy home. This will be verified by current and previous landlords and neighbor references for the last 5 years of rental history. Some programs require eligible immigration status. Claimed local preference will be verified by a third party. 
• Family composition: Households are assigned a specific number of bedrooms based on family size, usually 1-2 people per bedroom.
• Identification: All adult household members must have a valid photo ID. 
• Social Security number/citizenship: Some programs require that each household member have a Social Security number or certify that they have no number. These programs also require each household member to document that he/she is a U.S. citizen, or has eligible non-citizen status..
• Elderly/Disabled housing: The head or co-head of the household must be 60 years of age or older or 62 years of age or older, depending on the program; or disabled as defined by law.

Additional Requirements for Special Programs

• Elderly/Disabled public housing: Open to those age 60 (state programs) or 62 (federal programs) or older, as well as all disabled applicants. Elderly/disabled housing is limited to one bedroom.
• Elderly/disabled Section 8 Rental Assistance (Project-Based): Open to those age 62 years (federal programs) or older, as well as all disabled applicants.
• Wheelchair Accessible Housing: Open to anyone who needs wheelchair accessibility.

Why You Could Be Denied

• If any household member has been evicted from a federally funded housing development or has had federal rental assistance terminated by a public housing agency within the last three years.
• If the applicant has any outstanding past debts with the MHA or any other subsidized housing programs. To be considered, applicants must pay the debt in full before entering the MHA final eligibility determination process.
• If any household member is required to register as a lifetime sex offender.
• If any household member has been convicted or found guilty of producing methamphetamine on subsidized properties.
• If any household member has a history of drug related crime or violent crime.  Additional information can be found under the CORI Policy.

Income Table

The following table summarizes the current family income limits for the various Malden Malden Housing Authority programs.  Updated April 2020.