Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

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

Click here

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:

  1. Fill out an online application at www.gosection8.com/MassCWL, or
  2. download and print the PDF application shown below, or
  3. 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

PropertyEligibilityAddressContact
Morton MeadowsSeniors & persons with disabilities21 Morton Meadows
Athol, MA 01331
Athol-Orange Housing Authority
978-249-4848
fax 978-249-9604
Lakeside ApartmentsSeniors & persons with disabilities21 Morton Meadows
Athol, MA 01331
Athol-Orange Housing Authority
978-249-4848
fax 978-249-9604
Kennebunk Street ApartmentsFamilies21 Morton Meadows
Athol, MA 01331
Athol-Orange Housing Authority
978-249-4848
fax 978-249-9604
Park Street ApartmentsFamilies21 Morton Meadows
Athol, MA 01331
Athol-Orange Housing Authority
978-249-4848
fax 978-249-9604
Ferron CircleFamilies21 Morton Meadows
Athol, MA 01331
Athol-Orange Housing Authority
978-249-4848
fax 978-249-9604
Partridge CourtFamilies21 Morton Meadows
Athol, MA 01331
Athol-Orange Housing Authority
978-249-4848
fax 978-249-9604
Pequoig House ApartmentsSeniors & persons with disabilities416 Main Street
Athol, MA 01331
978-249-2622
School Street ResidencesSeniors & persons with disabilities94 School Street
Athol, MA 01331
978-249-6209

Greenfield

PropertyEligibilityAddressContact
Greenfield GardensFamilies, seniors, & persons with disabilities58 Pray Drive
Greenfield, MA 01301
(413) 772-8710
Mill HouseSeniors & persons with disabilities75 Wells Street
Greenfield, MA 01301
(413) 251-1463
website
Leyden WoodsFamilies, seniors, & persons with disabilities24 Leyden Woods Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
(413) 774-4708
website
Greenfield AcresSeniors & persons with disabilities10 Congress Street
Greenfield, MA 01301
(413) 773-9410
website
Elm TerraceSeniors & persons with disabilities1 Elm Terrace
Greenfield, MA 01301
Greenfield Housing Authority
(413) 774-2932
website
Winslow ApartmentsIndividuals9 Wells Street
Greenfield, MA 01301
Greenfield Housing Authority
(413) 774-2932
website
HRA also has applications available
Weldon HotelSeniors & persons with disabilities54 High Street
Greenfield, MA 01301
(413) 772-6543

Montague

PropertyEligibilityAddressContact
Park VillaSeniors & persons with disabilitiesPark Villa Drive
Turners Falls, MA 01376
(413) 863-9346
Powertown ApartmentsAny income-eligible household152 Avenue A
Turners Falls, MA 01376
(413) 863-9433
Fax: (413) 863-2832
Sunrise TerraceSeniors & persons with disabilities41 Sunrise Terrace
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Montague Housing Authority
(413) 863-8445
fax 413-863-2142
open M-F 9-2
Keith ApartmentsSeniors & persons with disabilities41 Sunrise Terrace
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Montague Housing Authority
(413) 863-8445
fax 413-863-2142
open M-F 9-2
Hillcrest HomesFamilies41 Sunrise Terrace
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Montague Housing Authority
(413) 863-8445
fax 413-863-2142
open M-F 9-2
Highland SchoolSeniors & persons with disabilities(in Millers Falls)Montague Housing Authority
(413) 863-8445
fax 413-863-2142
open M-F 9-2

Orange

PropertyEligibilityAddressContact
King James CourtSeniors & persons with disabilities383 E. River Street
Orange, MA 01364
(978) 544-2044
fax (978) 544-6337
Redbrook VillageSeniors & persons with disabilities50 Red Brook Lane
Orange, MA 01364
(844) 300-0708
Pinecrest ApartmentsFamilies419 E. River Street
Orange, MA 01364
(978) 544-7433
fax 978-544-6337
HRA also has applications available
Colonial AcresSeniors & persons with disabilitiesAthol-Orange Housing Authority
978-249-4848
fax 978-249-9604
MacIntosh CourtFamiliesAthol-Orange Housing Authority
978-249-4848
fax 978-249-9604

South Deerfield

PropertyEligibilityAddressContact
Elm CircleFamiliesElm Circle East
S. Deerfield, MA 01373
Operated by Park Villa
(413) 863-9346

Other Housing Agencies

RCAP Solutions (Worcester area) 
Phone1-800-488-1969
Websitewww.rcapsolutions.org
Offices12 East Worcester Street, Worcester, MA 01604
WayFinders (Springfield area)
Phone413-233-1500
Websitewww.wayfindersma.org
Offices20 Hampton Avenue, Northampton, MA 01060
267 High Street, Holyoke, MA 01040
322 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01105
Berkshire Housing Development Corporation
Phone413-499-1630
Websitewww.berkshirehousing.com
OfficesOne Fenn Street, 3rd Floor, Pittsfield , MA 01201
Berkshire County Regional Housing Authority
Phone413-443-7138 or
1-800-248-9002
Websitewww.bcrha.com
OfficesOne Fenn Street, 2nd Floor, Pittsfield , MA 01201
Greenfield Housing Authority
Phone413-774-2932
Websitewww.greenfieldhousing.org
Offices1 Elm Terrace, Greenfield, MA 01301
Montague Housing Authority
Phone413-863-8445
Offices41 Sunrise Terrace, Turners Falls, MA 01376

Orange-Athol Housing Authority

Phone978-249-4848
Websitewww.atholorangehousing.com
Offices21 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

Community Action

413Cares