617-923-3950

Leased Housing / Section 8

Frequently Asked Questions
What is Section 8?
Section 8 is a housing voucher program that provides a rental assistance subsidy to private landlords for low-income households who have received a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher.
Where do I apply for Section 8?
How long is the waitlist?

Current waitlist time is about 10 years from the time your Section 8 application is submitted.

Is Section 8 the same as public housing?

No, this is a common misconception. Section 8 is a program seen across the country. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) oversees the program. There are also public housing programs run by HUD but the HUD Section 8 program works with units owned by private landlords as opposed to public housing units, which can be owned and run by either state or federal government agencies such as HUD or DHCD, for example.

How long can I be in the program?

Participants can continue to be on the program if income meets requirements and other program requirements are met.

Does the tenant's voucher have to be from the town they are renting in?

No, Section 8 vouchers are portable. If the participant decides to move, the housing authority that the participant is working with will choose to either continue to administer the voucher or port it out to the housing authority in the city where the participant will reside in.

Can a landlord refuse to rent the unit to a Section 8 participant?

Under Mass law it is illegal to refuse to rent because you are a Section 8 participant.

A landlord can only refuse to rent to a Section 8 participant if the reasons are unrelated to the Section 8 voucher. Please follow the link for more information on tenant and landlord rights: https://www.mass.gov/guides/the-attorney-generals-guide-to-landlord-and-tenant-rights

What are the requirements for a landlord to participate in the program?

The unit must pass the housing quality standards before its leased to a Section 8 participant. Please see links below for more details.

Housing Quality Standards – HCV | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
A Landlord’s Guide to Section 8 in Massachusetts – MassLandlords.net

Can I refer a family member/friend/neighbor/current tenant to apply to the program?

Anyone can apply that meets income requirements. Please keep in mind that the current waitlist time is 10 years.

Please apply using the link below or call your local housing authority for an application:
https://www.affordablehousing.com/masscwl

How do rental payments work?
  • PHA will provide a rental subsidy based on the tenant’s income. A tenants rental portion is between 30% and 40% of their household’s adjusted income.
  • Generally, in the case that a tenant has zero income, the PHA will authorize a subsidy payment covering the full amount of the monthly rent.
  • Every month the landlords receive a payment from the PHA and the tenant, equaling the contract rent.

Watertown Housing Authority

55 Waverley Avenue
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-923-3950
Fax: 617-923-2466

Emergency Service Number:
617-923-3950 (24/7)

Office Hours:

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 
8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Monday and Friday: by appointment

Maintenance: 24/7

Summer Hours:

Summer hours begin in late May and end in early September.

Monday – Thursday 7:30 am – 4:30 pm. Friday 8:30 am - 12:00 pm.