SUBSIDIZED HOUSING
For the June 1999 Community Resource Center presentation Laura Beretsky of Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) gave a subsidized housing workshop.
The main types of subsidized housing are Section 8, public housing and private subsidized housing. To apply for either Section 8 or public housing one applies through the local housing authority in each town. Most of these lists are closed. Ms. Beretsky advises checking the legal section of the "Baystate Banner" for notices of cities that have open lists. Lists of Local Housing Authorities are available through the CRC (there are approximately 250; 49 of which are in IRis under "Housing Authority").
Section 8 is a portable, tenant-based program that pays for rent in the private real-estate market. The benefit of these certificates is that they are valid anywhere in the United States. Once approved, however, the Section 8 certificate must be used within 120 days. Unfortunately in the current Boston-area rental market this is near impossible as landlords have no difficulty renting properties and are unlikely to accept the below-market rates offered by Section 8.
Public Housing units are project-based. Local housing authorities keep two separate waiting lists- one for families or working adults and one for those who are elderly or disabled. In Boston families/working adults do not have a choice neighborhood. The elderly or disabled can specify 3 preferred neighborhoods, however, as soon as they claim a "priority status" they lose this right. The only way to get around this and to specify preferred neighborhoods, is through a strongly worded letter from a physician, that shows "just cause" or that the person requires a "reasonable accommodation". The letter must basically say that it is a matter of life and death to either be in certain communities or avoid certain communities (such as the community where the batterer resides).
The third type of subsidized housing is private housing. Generally developers have received certain tax or other incentives that require that they set aside a certain percentage of the units as subsidized housing. These each require a separate application made directly to the company that manages the buildings. There are two main lists for these programs. The Massachusetts Housing Finance Administration (MHFA) listing can be obtained by calling 854-1841 and the Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) listings for Massachusetts can be obtained by calling 565-5447. For income eligibility please see the accompanying chart on income limits. Also distributed at the presentation is a tip sheet on applying for housing at the Boston Housing Authority (BHA). Copies of this document are available through the Community Resource Center.
While Boston public housing is open to those of all priority levels, currently the BHA section 8 program is only taking applications from those with "Priority 1" status. To get "Priority 1" status one must fit into one of the following categories, Ms. Beretsky advises that if one is the subject of eviction proceedings that it is important not to move out until the process has gone through all of the steps. These steps are:
Other area programs that provide housing advocacy include CAPIC in Chelsea 884-4225 and the Cambridge Multi-Service Center 349-6340.
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HOUSING SERVICES OFFERED BY ABCD
ABCD offers education and advocacy about the housing search process to BOSTON RESIDENTS, but they do not operate their own housing units or programs. As the first step in the process they ask that clients attend a group workshop offered Tuesdays at 3 pm in their downtown office. The workshop goes over the nuts and bolts of the housing search process. It is offered on a drop-in basis and is free and open to the public. The downtown office is located at 105 Chauncy Street on the 8th floor, and is near the Downtown Crossing T stop on the Red Line.
ABCD splits responsibility for housing issues between two offices. Those who are "doubled-up" (living with family or friends) or those who are living in shelters should go to the Downtown office. TAFDC recipients and other families may be eligible for the "Homeless Intercept Program" through the Dorchester ABCD office, call 822-4294 for more information. Those receiving TAFDC must have a referral from their welfare worker.
SUBSIDIZED HOUSING EXPLAINED
The simplified rules of subsidized housing are that generally they charge 30% of gross income, that they all have waiting lists, one has to apply separately at each program, (because each program has a separate application and waiting list) and that extensive documentation is required. In other words, prepare yourselves for a long and paperwork intensive process.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Once one has decided to which type or types of programs to apply and where to do so, one needs to gather the necessary documentation. Ms. Beretsky distributed packets of information that included a list of required documents. All applicants and their family members need to produce birth certificates, proof of income, tax statements, utility bills and proof of rent paid, social security cards and letters of reference. Depending on the situation additional documentation will support different types of claims to priority status- such as inspection reports if the current housing is substandard, or police or court reports if a victim of domestic violence.
Displaced due to:
The "no fault of your own" clause includes failure to pay rent due to the combination of rent and utilities being over 40% of one's income.
The tenant must produce all of the paperwork documenting each of these steps and take it to the housing authority to obtain priority status. If one leaves the premises early in this process, this is viewed as rendering oneself homeless and negatively impacts one's priority status. Homelessness alone qualifies one for a "Priority 2" status.