Family Housing
Families may apply for two- and three-bedroom units at Menotomy Manor, our family development, located in East Arlington near the Thompson Public School. Selection of tenants is determined by income and family size. Priority may be given to persons who have recently experienced a natural tragedy, or who are being evicted due to governmental action or who are homeless through no fault of their own. Preference may be given to Veterans and persons residing or working in Arlington. Families interested in applying for such housing must meet income eligibility requirements. Rent is based on the income of the family and is approximately 27% of the monthly net income. Residents pay their own individually metered utilities.
In 2019, the Housing Authority built a Life and Skills Center. The building includes the property managers office, police substation, maintenance shop, a community room and training area for programs such as Operation Success, Fidelity House, and English as a second language.
Senior State Public Housing
The Arlington Housing Authority has five developments with 520 units for elderly and disabled citizens. Each building is convenient to shopping, churches and local services. Priority is given to persons who have recently experienced a natural tragedy, or who are being evicted due to governmental action or who are homeless through no fault of their own. Preference may be given to Veterans and persons residing or working in Arlington. A few modified apartments for persons confined to wheelchairs or other certifiably handicapped applicants are also available. Placements are to be made in elderly/handicapped housing to achieve a mixed population of elderly households in 86.5% of the units and handicapped households in 13.5% of the units.
When a vacancy occurs, an applicant is selected from the waiting list. The individual's rent is based on the income, assets (including bank interest and stock dividends) and expenses for medical and health insurance. The cost of all utilities except a telephone/internet is included in the rent charge. Rent is calculated based on 30% of a household adjusted net income. As required by state regulation a rent redetermination is conducted each year to verify continued qualification for housing assistance.
The Authority works diligently with its tenant associations and other local organizations to provide a wide range of activities within each development. Events such as bazaars, day excursions, classes, medical examinations, shopping trips and films are regularly scheduled, often at no charge or a nominal cost.
Special Needs Housing
The Authority also sponsors a residential home on Massachusetts Avenue for thirteen develop-mentally disabled adults in cooperation with area state mental health agencies. This effort seeks to strengthen the capacity of special persons to live normal, productive lives by working and living in the community. More information about this type of housing may be obtained from the Authority.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV)
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) is the federal government's major program for assisting low-income families, elderly and the disabled to afford decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private housing market. Housing assistance, based on household income, is provided on behalf of the family (or individual) to a landlord/property owner. Voucher program participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments in the private housing market, within an affordable range based on bedroom size. Once a unit is selected and approved by the housing agency, the tenant pays a portion of the rent based on a percentage (typically 30%) of their household adjusted income and the remaining rent is paid by the housing agency.
Presently more than 400 Arlington families are being assisted in apartments throughout the state. Although there are waiting lists for the Section 8 Program, interested persons are encouraged to inquire about their eligibility.
Affordable Housing & Apartments
Voucher Holders
Voucher Holder Forms
Inspections
Federal law requires Arlington Housing Authority to inspect apartments to make sure that the rent being charged is reasonable given an apartment's condition and amenities. There are two types of inspections:
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Initial Inspections
Before AHA agrees to enter into a contract with an owner to help pay a voucher holder's rent, federal law requires us to take a look at it to make sure it's worth the rent the owner is requesting. The inspections are quick, scheduled at owners' convenience and free. AHA's inspector simply makes sure that the unit is safe and sanitary and that the rent is reasonable before a voucher holder can move in. In most cases, AHA will not allow voucher holders to move into an apartment until it passes initial inspection.
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Annual Inspections
Federal law also requires AHA to ANNUALLY REINSPECT voucher holders' units to make sure that owners and voucher holders are each doing their part to keep their units clean and safe. Reinspections also provide AHA an opportunity to make sure that rents paid are reasonable given each apartment's location, condition, amenities and the local rental market.
Request Inspections
Since AHA only inspects units once a year, it is important that voucher holders let us know when there are problems with their apartments. AHA encourages voucher holders to let their landlords know, in writing, when there is something in their apartment that needs repair. We strongly recommend that voucher holders send us a copy of any correspondences with landlords so that we know when issues arise.
When landlords don't respond to repair requests, or if voucher holders feel that the repairs are insufficient, AHA encourages them to contact the AHA's Housing Inspector and request a Special Inspection. Since AHA is often paying most of the rent for a voucher holder's apartment, we can help make sure that owners are keeping their units in good shape.
Property Owners
HCV Landlord Resources
Property Owner Forms
Property Owner FAQ
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What is the section 8 program?
The section 8 program is a federally funded rent subsidy for low and moderately low-income families. The arlington housing authority administers the section 8 rental assistance program called the housing choice voucher program.
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What is the housing choice voucher program?
The housing choice voucher program requires that each family pay at least 30% of their adjusted gross income but no higher than 40% toward their rent and utilities for the first year in this program. However, after the first year the family can pay above the 40% of their adjusted gross income.
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Who can participate in the program?
Families must apply to the housing authority. Presently we have the centralized waiting list that people can apply for. Their income must be below the level set by hud for the community. The housing authority will also check their criminal history for drug and /or violent criminal activity.
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Who selects the units leased under the program?
The families themselves select the apartment. They are free to move anywhere in the country. No owner is required to rent to a particular family and no family is required to live in a particular unit.
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What units are acceptable to the program?
All apartments that are in decent, safe, and sanitary condition after a housing authority inspection and that have rents with the program guidelines as published by hud are eligible.
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How are rents determined?
Hud publishes the fair market rents each year. The fair market rent's are based on bedroom sizes and reflects the community. The housing authority must approve the actual rent based on the size of the family, the location, the amenities provided by the landlord as well as the rents for non-subsidized units in the area.
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How does a landlord participate in the program?
If a participating family wants to rent an apartment, both the owner and the family must complete and sign a request for tenancy approval.
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Can a landlord screen a tenant?
Yes, and we highly recommend it. The housing authority only verifies the tenant's eligibility for the section 8 program. It does not screen them for suitability. A prospective landlord should always check the tenant's references. Remember, a portion of the tenant's rent will be subsidized now, so if they were late in paying their rent prior to the program, the subsidy could resolve that issue.
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If the apartment does not pass the inspection, is the owner still obligated to the tenant?
No, if the owner cannot make the necessary repairs they should tell the tenant as soon as possible so they can look for another apartment. He should also notify the housing authority.
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What do you look for in an inspection? How often is there an inspection?
The apartment must meet the minimum requirements. The inspector uses the massachusetts state sanitary code, chapter ii: hud's housing quality standards and any local codes. The inspections are done annually.
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Is the housing authority responsible for the tenant' share of the rent or the security deposit?
No the tenant is responsible to pay the rent in accordance with the lease and pay a security deposit if the landlord requests one. The program does not allow the owner to collect the last months rent. He can only collect the tenant's portion of the first months rent along with a security deposit (if requested).
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Can a tenant work and still be on the program?
Yes, section 8 is for low and moderate income families. Many tenants work, for example, a family of four can have a household income of approximately $48,150.00.
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Does the housing authority pay the landlord or the tenant?
The housing authority pays their portion of the rent directly to the landlord and the tenant pays their portion directly to the landlord. The housing authority checks are mailed out on or about the first of the month.
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If a tenant moves out do I have to take another section 8 tenant?
No, you have the same rights with a section 8 tenant as you do with any other tenant.
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Do I have to sign a lease?
Yes, hud requires a lease between the tenant and the owner and a contract between the owner and the housing authority. Landlords are required to supply their own leases with the tenant. If you already have leases with other tenants (subsidized or not) you must use the same lease as theirs. Lease's can be purchased at any stationary store or the housing authority can supply you with one.
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Who is responsible to maintain the apartment?
The landlord is always responsible for the general maintenance of the unit, however the tenant is responsible for any tenant caused damage.
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Can the amount of the rent ever change?
Yes, each year when the tenant comes up for recertification the landlord may request a rent increase. Whether or not an increase would be honored is determined on hud's budget at the time of the request.
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Can the owner evict tenants?
Yes, the owner can evict any tenant who violates the lease agreement in accordance with the terms of the lease.
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What happens if the tenant looses their job?
The tenant simply reports the change to the housing authority and their rent will be adjusted downward accordingly. The housing authority will simply pay a greater portion of the total rent for the apartment.
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Is the section 8 program a good program for a landlord to be involved in?
We think so and so do approximately 400 landlords in arlington. Most of them request a new section tenant when a family moves from their apartment.
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How do i find out about the section 8 program or list my apartment?
Great Question!!!! Just call the Arlington Housing Authority, Section 8 Department @ 781-646-3400 @ x 18 or 19.
Payment Standards & Utility Rates
Payment Standards
The Payment Standards are the maximum amount of rent the AHA and voucher holders will pay an owner in rent for a new or newly renovated apartment that includes all utilities. There is a different Payment Standard for different sized apartments.
When searching for apartments, voucher holders should always look for apartments with rents at or below the Payment Standard, adjusted for tenant supplied utilities.
Payment Standards Chart
Utility Rates
An amount equal to the annual cost of a utility not included in the rent is deducted from the Payment Standard in order to determine the maximum possible rent AHA could agree to pay for an apartment.
Each year, the AHA hires a company to determine the monthly cost to tenants paying for their own utilities, by utility and building type. AHA uses this information to create the Utility Allowance Chart.
Utility Allowance Chart
MRVP Program
The Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ major program for assisting low-income families, elderly and the disabled to afford decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private housing market. Housing assistance, based on household income, is provided on behalf of the family (or individual) to a landlord/property owner. Voucher program participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments in the private housing market, within an affordable range based on bedroom size. Once a unit is selected and approved by the housing agency, the tenant pays a portion of the rent based on a percentage (typically 30%) of their household adjusted income and the remaining rent is paid by the housing agency.
