Housing Resources
Here are some resources to help you find different types of housing.
Accessible Housing
Mass Access: The Accessible Housing Registry – Helps people find affordable housing in Massachusetts. A key feature of the registry is to highlight homes for people with disabilities who need accessible or barrier-free housing. Massachusetts law states they must list available housing for thirty days before listed to public. To access the database, call your local Independent Living Center or visit this website.
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Adaptive Housing Resources
MRC’s Home Modification Resources provide accessible housing to individuals with disabilities in their primary, permanent residence to enhance their ability to participate in vocational services, and to return to work. The Adaptive Housing Program provides architectural modifications to the private residences of individuals and related equipment installation to remove impairment related barriers to occupancy by the individual. Examples of modifications that may be eligible under this program are wheelchair access via lifts, ramps, door widening, or bathroom modifications such as roll in showers or grab bars.
Any individual who has a physical or mental impairment which constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment. The individual must require vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, enter, engage in or retain work and the individual can benefit from vocational rehabilitation services in terms of an employment outcome. The maximum dollar limit about is $15,000. However the Commission may approve expenditure of more than $15,000 limit for adaptive housing services when exceptional circumstances warrant a waiver. Financial participation is based on annual income and cash assets. For more information, please contact Eugene Blumkin at 617-204-3721 or Eugene.Blumkin@MRC.state.ma.us
Rental Housing
Massachusetts Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Centralized Waiting List – People are advised to put their name on this centralized waiting list as soon as possible. Seventy two Massachusetts housing authorities utilize this computerized list; all applicant information entered onto this list can be accessed and updated by any and all participating housing authorities. Call 877-868-0040.
Section 8 Made Simple – Using the Housing Choice Voucher Program to Assist People With Disabilities – Comprehensive Guide written by Ann O’Hara and Emily Cooper of Technical Assistance Collaborative, Inc. with funding from the Melville Charitable Trust. This guidebook contains practical information to assist people with disabilities and the entire disability community to navigate through the Section 8 program more successfully.
Massachusetts Housing Education Centers – Housing Consumer Education Centers offer answers to a wide range of questions about all types of housing problems. Tenants, landlords, prospective buyers, and homeowners can access information designed to maximize housing stability, strengthen investments, and minimize disputes.
Call 800-224-5124 or scroll down Housing Consumer Education Centers home page to map to find a center near you.
CHAPA Housing Search Guide (pdf) – This 23 page guide provides information about searching for rental housing in Massachusetts for people who have one or more disabilities. Most of the information is also helpful to people who are low-income.
Supportive Housing for Adult Children with Disabilities
Autism Housing Pathways – Provides information, support and resources for families who seek to create secure, supported housing for their adult children with disabilities. Autism Housing Pathways will support families in forming a variety of housing models by providing a clearinghouse of information on such topics as cooperative bylaws, building plans for modular housing that conforms to legal criteria, real estate trusts, and affordable housing options. AHP shares information about housing groups, developers, lawyers, vendors and consultants that can assist families in creating housing. Autism Housing Pathways is the Massachusetts affiliate of Foundation for Autism Support and Training (FAST). Contact: http://autismhousingpathways.org/contact/
New England Village – Today, with multiple locations, modern facilities and a specialized team of highly skilled and dedicated human service professionals, New England Village serves more than 180 men and women, through a variety of innovative programs and customized supports.
Cape Cod Village – Planned village with housing for 15 adults with autism and a Community Resource Center.
Housing for People with Mental Illness
Wellmet Project is a unique program that operates group homes for people with mental illness. Wellmet is a charity whose purpose is to not only meet the basic needs of each individual, but to encourage growth, independence and self sufficiency. Much of the operation of the homes is determined by the residents in a weekly house meeting, and our use of live in staff provide a cost-effective means to offer support services. Wellmet is a transitional housing program, with a length of stay ranging from 6 months to 5 years. Our residents have a wide range of psychiatric diagnoses, but they share the common need for support, companionship, respect, and a commitment to recovery.
Housing Workshops
Call your local Independent Living Center to find out about housing workshops offered. Independent Living Center philosophy is self-advocacy.
Home Ownership
MassHousing – Offers a range of home ownership programs — for buying or fixing up a home — to people of low to moderate income, people with disabilities, and first-time home owners. MassHousing programs include low-interest (below market rate) mortgages, home buyer counseling, home improvement loans, lead-removal financing, and septic repair loans. TEL: 617.854.1000 | FAX: 617.854.1029 | RELAY: 7-1-1 | VIDEOPHONE: 857.366.4157
Mortgage and Home Loan Help Guide for the Disabled – Mortgage Loan’s Guide to housing and mortgages for people with disabilities. Find information regarding financial help and assistance for the disabled and their families.
HUD.gov Home Ownership Assistance: Massachusetts – Statewide and Regional Programs
Housing Publication Links
Arc of Massachusetts Housing Resources – People with intellectual disabilities have a right to live in communities of their choosing and be fully included in their community. They should have the opportunity for affordable and appropriate housing with disability access and accommodations that meets their needs as any other citizen in the community. Necessary individualized supports and adaptations should be of their choosing and under their control.
Unlocking the Door to Community Living (pdf) – Publication of Jewish Family and Children’s Service is a comprehensive approach to transitioning to adulthood.
Housing is treated as one subject among many, including support services and social networking.
Groups working on housing and adult living
Specialized Housing, Inc. – Specialized Housing uses a condominium model to create housing for individuals who can function somewhat independently and whose behaviors can be managed with the level of staffing agreed upon by the family. They have been in existence since 1983. They also provide services for individuals in rental apartments.
Supportive Living, Inc. – Raises the quality of life for survivors of brain injury by providing and coordinating specialized brain injury residential programs, long-term wellness programs and education for rehabilitation best practices.
Fact Sheet last updated on: 6/12/2020
