The Boston Housing Authority (BHA) administers the federal Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program and the state Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP). Landlords must pass HUD Housing Quality Standards inspection and execute a HAP contract before BHA will subsidize rent.
BHA inspects each prospective unit against HUD Housing Quality Standards covering heat, plumbing, electrical safety, structural integrity, and lead paint compliance for units built before 1978. After passing, the landlord signs a Housing Assistance Payments contract specifying contract rent (subject to BHA reasonableness review against comparable units), the tenant share, and the BHA share. Annual reinspections continue throughout tenancy. MA also runs the MRVP and Alternative Housing Voucher Program, both protected from source-of-income discrimination under Ch. 151B. Mobile vouchers move with the tenant; project-based vouchers attach to the unit.
Charging the voucher tenant more than the approved tenant share, side payments, or unauthorized lease addenda violate the HAP contract and federal law.
Boston, MA
Massachusetts MGL Ch. 151B §4 prohibits Boston landlords from refusing tenants based on use of housing subsidies including Section 8, MRVP, or veterans' bene...
Boston, MA
Boston requires all rental properties to be registered with the Inspectional Services Department. Owners must obtain a Certificate of Occupancy and comply wi...
See how Boston's section 8 voucher acceptance rules stack up against other locations.
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