Mobile Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) / Section 8 Mobile Vouchers
The Mobile Housing Choice Voucher Program (Mobile HCVP), also referred to as Section 8 Mobile Vouchers, is a federal subsidy program that assists low-income families and individuals to afford housing. Similarly to public housing and Section 8 Project-Based rental assistance programs, individuals who receive assistance through this program will pay 30-40% of their income as rent. However, unlike other programs, individuals with a mobile voucher have the flexibility to rent any apartment that falls within the rent guidelines for the program.
Who Qualifies?
Eligibility for mobile vouchers is based on a family’s gross income relative to area median income (AMI). In Massachusetts, 75% of voucher recipients have incomes below 30% AMI, and 25% of recipients have incomes between 30-50% AMI (see DHCD Guide). Income limits are determined annually by HUD and depend on both location and the number of household members. For additional guidance on calculating income limits, see HUD Income Limits.
How to Apply
DHCD Statewide Waiting List
The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) administers a statewide waiting list for HCVP mobile vouchers. Individuals can apply through any of eight regional administering agencies to be added to the statewide waiting list. A list of all administering agencies and locations is available here. For Boston-area applicants, Metro Housing Boston will likely be the most convenient location for applying.
Local Housing Authorities & the Centralized Waiting List
Many local housing authorities maintain their own waitlists for HCVP vouchers or participate in the Centralized Section 8 Waiting List, a shared waiting list of over 100 local housing authorities. To apply online or view a list of participating housing authorities, visit goSection8.com.
Note that applicants are required to periodically provide updated contact information to maintain their status on waitlists. Applicants who do not update their contact information risk being removed from waitlists. Applications for the Centralized Waiting List can be monitored at updated at goSection8.com. To update contact information for the DHCD Statewide Waiting List, complete the Section 8 Contact Update Form through Metro Housing Boston (here) or another regional administering agency.
Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP)
MRVP is Massachusetts’ state funded voucher program, which includes both tenant- (mobile) and project-based vouchers. MRVP provides a subsidy of a set amount to voucher holders based on the tenant’s income, household size, and geography. The voucher holder is then responsible for paying the difference between the value of the subsidy and what the landlord charges for rent.
Applicants must have incomes below 80% AMI to be eligible for this program (again, see HUD Income Limits ). Mobile vouchers will also only be granted if the applicant’s rent falls below the rent guidelines for the program, as determined by the town of residence (see current Mobile Voucher Maximum Rents).
To apply for an MRVP mobile voucher, eligible individuals should contact either their local housing authority or DHCD Regional Administering Agency (see Administering Agency Contact Listing). The DHCD Resource Locator may also helpful in determining where to apply. A copy of the MRVP application is available on the DHCD website (here).
Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP)
A small number of additional state funded mobile vouchers are available through the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP), a program administered by the DHCD’s Division of Public Housing and Rental Assistance to serve low-income households with younger disabled members.
To be eligible for this program, households must meet the criteria for Chapter 667 public housing for seniors and people with disabilities (view here) and be under the age of 60.
AHVP vouchers are distributed through 24 Issuing Administering Agencies. To be placed on a waiting list for an AHVP voucher, eligible individuals should contact their local administering agency. A list of administering agencies is available on the DHCD website (here). To access copies of the AHVP application in English and other languages, and for additional information, visit the DHCD website (here).
