Massachusetts Section 8 housing lists provide affordable home options for low-income families. Section 8 house listings can be the perfect opportunity for you and your family if you need housing assistance and think you will qualify. Before you start perusing apartment listings, it is important to understand more about the Section 8 program.

Learn How to Find Section 8 Housing Lists in Massachusetts

Finding Section 8 housing lists in Massachusetts is simple. For prospective renters seeking to find Section 8 house listings within their community, check the grocery stores, local community centers or even the newspaper classifieds section. Section 8 housing lists are normally in the same place you would search for a regular apartment list. The simplest way to obtain a list of Section 8 houses is online. With just a few clicks of the mouse, a Section 8 rental housing list can be generated with specific criteria that you filter. You can use online Section 8 housing lists resources or simply do a general internet search to find the best results. Get more information about how to apply for Section 8 benefits by downloading our guide.

What Qualifies as a Section 8 Home in Massachusetts?

For a home to make MA Section 8 housing lists, they must pass an inspection from the Public Housing Authority on an annual basis. The inspection for Section 8 house listings covers 13 separate categories which include indoor air quality, illumination and electricity, and water supply, to name a few. Within these categories are subcategories, which must all be met for a house to be added to a list of Section 8 rentals. Examples of notable Section 8 housing lists subcategory requirements state that properties must have:

• Adequate air circulation throughout the dwelling.
• At least one window in every room meant for sleeping.
• A water supply free from contamination and pollution.
• Alternate means of exit in case of a fire.
• At least one window that is able to open in the bathroom area.

How Big of a House Can You be Approved for in Massachusetts?

Section 8 housing lists in Massachusetts come in a variety of sizes, from a one-bedroom apartment to a multi-bedroom house. Before browsing a list of Section 8 rentals near you, it is important to determine your family’s house size eligibility. The Public Housing Authority, or PHA, will make the eligibility determination on your housing voucher. If the PHA provides a list of Section 8 houses to your family for two-bedroom eligibility, you may or may not choose a home with a different number of bedrooms as long as the housing quality standards remain the same and the utility allowances are still met.

Learn About Checking Your Credit Score Before Viewing Section 8 Apartment Listings in Massachusetts

Landlords with Section 8 house listings in Massachusetts will request a credit check during the application process. By ordering a free copy of your credit report prior to submitting an application, you can browse Section 8 housing lists without the worry of what your landlord might find. Section 8 apartment listings can use a credit check to determine the type of rental history you have had in the past. Use the following categories to see how your credit score measures up:

• 750-850 (Excellent): Credit approval is very likely with excellent rates and terms.
• 700-749 (Good): Credit approval is normal with fair rates and terms.
• 650-699 (Fair): Credit approval is possible with modest rates and terms.
• 550-649 (Poor): Credit approval might be likely, but rates and terms will be disadvantageous.
• 300-549 (Very Poor): Credit approval is not likely.

Tips for Reading Massachusetts Section 8 House Listings

Reading a Massachusetts list of Section 8 rentals requires a certain understanding of real estate abbreviations. Although daunting at first, a list of Section 8 houses is easily understood once you familiarize yourself with the most common abbreviations. For instance, “ba” is used instead of bathroom, and “kit” instead of kitchen. Other common abbreviations you will find on a Section 8 rental housing list include:

• “g/a” for garage attached.
• “E-Rng” for electric range.
• “liv rm or lr” for living room.
• “MWV” for microwave.
• “nat gas ht” for natural gas heat.
• “OFF or osp” for off street parking.

Understanding abbreviations in Section 8 housing lists will make the house hunting process simple. Website: Local Offices. State: Massachusetts