The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, also known as Section 8, provides assistance to eligible low- and moderate-income families to rent housing in the private market.
The program works as a rental subsidy that allows families to pay a reasonable amount of their income toward their rent. Eligible families will receive a voucher to begin searching for housing.
Generally, families will pay no more than 30% of their adjusted monthly income toward their rent share. HRA pays the remaining amount to the owner on the family’s behalf. This payment to the owner is known as the Housing Assistance Payment. Participants with a voucher are free to find private housing anywhere provided that it meets the requirements of the program.
Eligibility
Eligibility for the Housing Choice Voucher program is determined by annual gross family income and family size. During the application process, HRA will collect information concerning income, assets and family composition. All of this information will be verified with a third party such as a bank or other local agencies and will be used to determine eligibility and the amount of assistance the family qualifies for.
Participants must comply with all program requirements, including completing their annual certification, accommodating Housing Quality Standards inspections, allowing property owners to make any needed repairs, and adhering to the terms of their lease.
Directory of Subsidized Housing in Franklin County & Athol
Section 8 Voucher Application
Applicants submit one application to a centralized waiting list system, operated by GoSection8.com, and their application is automatically added to the waiting list for all participating Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Applications can be completed in the following ways:
- Fill out an online application at www.gosection8.com/MassCWL, or
- download and print the PDF application shown below, or
- contact us to request one be mailed to you.
Other Section 8 Forms
Annual Section 8 Recertification Forms
Current HCV program participants can download their annual recertification paperwork below.
Family Self-Sufficiency Program
Current HCV program participants may also be eligible to participate in the Family Self-Sufficiency Program. Click here for more information.
Project Based Voucher Program
Similar to the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, Project Based Housing Choice Vouchers require tenants to pay 30% of their income towards rent. However, whereas the regular Section 8 subsidy is tied to a tenant, the Project Based HCV subsidy is attached to a designated unit. Prior to occupying a Project Based HCV unit, eligible households will be provided with detailed information that explains their rights and responsibilities under the program.
Directory of Subsidized Housing in Franklin County & Athol
Athol
| Property | Eligibility | Address | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morton Meadows | Seniors & persons with disabilities | 21 Morton Meadows Athol, MA 01331 | Athol-Orange Housing Authority 978-249-4848 fax 978-249-9604 |
| Lakeside Apartments | Seniors & persons with disabilities | 21 Morton Meadows Athol, MA 01331 | Athol-Orange Housing Authority 978-249-4848 fax 978-249-9604 |
| Kennebunk Street Apartments | Families | 21 Morton Meadows Athol, MA 01331 | Athol-Orange Housing Authority 978-249-4848 fax 978-249-9604 |
| Park Street Apartments | Families | 21 Morton Meadows Athol, MA 01331 | Athol-Orange Housing Authority 978-249-4848 fax 978-249-9604 |
| Ferron Circle | Families | 21 Morton Meadows Athol, MA 01331 | Athol-Orange Housing Authority 978-249-4848 fax 978-249-9604 |
| Partridge Court | Families | 21 Morton Meadows Athol, MA 01331 | Athol-Orange Housing Authority 978-249-4848 fax 978-249-9604 |
| Pequoig House Apartments | Seniors & persons with disabilities | 416 Main Street Athol, MA 01331 | 978-249-2622 |
| School Street Residences | Seniors & persons with disabilities | 94 School Street Athol, MA 01331 | 978-249-6209 |
Greenfield
| Property | Eligibility | Address | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenfield Gardens | Families, seniors, & persons with disabilities | 58 Pray Drive Greenfield, MA 01301 | (413) 772-8710 |
| Mill House | Seniors & persons with disabilities | 75 Wells Street Greenfield, MA 01301 | (413) 251-1463 website |
| Leyden Woods | Families, seniors, & persons with disabilities | 24 Leyden Woods Lane Greenfield, MA 01301 | (413) 774-4708 website |
| Greenfield Acres | Seniors & persons with disabilities | 10 Congress Street Greenfield, MA 01301 | (413) 773-9410 website |
| Elm Terrace | Seniors & persons with disabilities | 1 Elm Terrace Greenfield, MA 01301 | Greenfield Housing Authority (413) 774-2932 website |
| Winslow Apartments | Individuals | 9 Wells Street Greenfield, MA 01301 | Greenfield Housing Authority (413) 774-2932 website HRA also has applications available |
| Weldon Hotel | Seniors & persons with disabilities | 54 High Street Greenfield, MA 01301 | (413) 772-6543 |
Montague
| Property | Eligibility | Address | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park Villa | Seniors & persons with disabilities | Park Villa Drive Turners Falls, MA 01376 | (413) 863-9346 |
| Powertown Apartments | Any income-eligible household | 152 Avenue A Turners Falls, MA 01376 | (413) 863-9433 Fax: (413) 863-2832 |
| Sunrise Terrace | Seniors & persons with disabilities | 41 Sunrise Terrace Turners Falls, MA 01376 | Montague Housing Authority (413) 863-8445 fax 413-863-2142 open M-F 9-2 |
| Keith Apartments | Seniors & persons with disabilities | 41 Sunrise Terrace Turners Falls, MA 01376 | Montague Housing Authority (413) 863-8445 fax 413-863-2142 open M-F 9-2 |
| Hillcrest Homes | Families | 41 Sunrise Terrace Turners Falls, MA 01376 | Montague Housing Authority (413) 863-8445 fax 413-863-2142 open M-F 9-2 |
| Highland School | Seniors & persons with disabilities | (in Millers Falls) | Montague Housing Authority (413) 863-8445 fax 413-863-2142 open M-F 9-2 |
Orange
| Property | Eligibility | Address | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| King James Court | Seniors & persons with disabilities | 383 E. River Street Orange, MA 01364 | (978) 544-2044 fax (978) 544-6337 |
| Redbrook Village | Seniors & persons with disabilities | 50 Red Brook Lane Orange, MA 01364 | (844) 300-0708 |
| Pinecrest Apartments | Families | 419 E. River Street Orange, MA 01364 | (978) 544-7433 fax 978-544-6337 HRA also has applications available |
| Colonial Acres | Seniors & persons with disabilities | Athol-Orange Housing Authority 978-249-4848 fax 978-249-9604 | |
| MacIntosh Court | Families | Athol-Orange Housing Authority 978-249-4848 fax 978-249-9604 |
South Deerfield
| Property | Eligibility | Address | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elm Circle | Families | Elm Circle East S. Deerfield, MA 01373 | Operated by Park Villa (413) 863-9346 |
Other Housing Agencies
RCAP Solutions (Worcester area)
| Phone | 1-800-488-1969 |
| Website | www.rcapsolutions.org |
| Offices | 12 East Worcester Street, Worcester, MA 01604 |
WayFinders (Springfield area)
| Phone | 413-233-1500 |
| Website | www.wayfindersma.org |
| Offices | 20 Hampton Avenue, Northampton, MA 01060 267 High Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 322 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01105 |
Berkshire Housing Development Corporation
| Phone | 413-499-1630 |
| Website | www.berkshirehousing.com |
| Offices | One Fenn Street, 3rd Floor, Pittsfield , MA 01201 |
Berkshire County Regional Housing Authority
| Phone | 413-443-7138 or 1-800-248-9002 |
| Website | www.bcrha.com |
| Offices | One Fenn Street, 2nd Floor, Pittsfield , MA 01201 |
Greenfield Housing Authority
| Phone | 413-774-2932 |
| Website | www.greenfieldhousing.org |
| Offices | 1 Elm Terrace, Greenfield, MA 01301 |
Montague Housing Authority
| Phone | 413-863-8445 |
| Offices | 41 Sunrise Terrace, Turners Falls, MA 01376 |
Orange-Athol Housing Authority
| Phone | 978-249-4848 |
| Website | www.atholorangehousing.com |
| Offices | 21 Morton Meadows, Athol, MA 01331 |
Additional Housing Resources
Other Local Housing Options: other housing resources in and around Franklin County
Housing Consumer Education Center: resource website
MassLegalHelp.org: know your legal rights
Community Legal Aid: apply online for free legal help
MA Attorney General’s Office: Consumer Advocacy & Response Division
EOHLC: emergency assistance for families facing housing crisis
Servicenet: shelter and housing services
