Finding Home

You can start by making a list of the cities and towns you would want to live in. Begin with the places you most want to live, and then list the places that you find less desirable but still okay. You’ll use this list throughout your housing search!

You can use this document to keep track of the cities and towns you would want to live in.

• Cities and Towns I Would Be Okay to Live In (pdf)

You can use a map to help figure out city and town names.

• Map of Massachusetts (pdf)

After you make your list, look up the maximum fair market rent for each city and town and write it on the line next to the city or town name. You will use this amount later on, to hep figure out your housing costs. Use ERAP FMR Lookup, select Massachusetts from the state list, the the city or town that you want to look up, then find the Fair Market Rent for a one bedroom and write it on the line next to the city or town’s name.

• Find the Fair Market Rent

Next think about other aspects of the location that may be important to you. For example, you may want to live near family or friends, or on a public transit line. You may also prefer to live in a big city or in a small town.

You can use this document to keep track of other location aspects that are important to you. Check off how important each thing is for you. You may also add your own things to the list.

• My Housing Location Preferences (pdf)

Once you finish with this, go back to your list of cities and towns and move down or remove any that do not have the aspects you’re looking for. If you’re not sure about a city or town, you can use Google to find out more about it.

Next think about the other preferences you have. This could include having a yard or off-street parking, or wanting to live in an apartment or a house.

You can use this document to keep track of your other housing-related preferences. You may also add your own things to the list.

• Other Housing Preferences (pdf)

It takes a lot of different skills to live successfully on your own. Take some time to think about what skills you currently have, what skills you can build, and what you will need help with.

You can use this list as a starting place. For any skills you will need help with, think about who can help you with it. This could include a person you know, like a family member or friend. It could also be a program or service.

• Skills and Needed Supports (pdf)

If you will need help in a lot of areas, consider a supportive housing option. Supportive housing is housing with services that help you stay in your home and live as independently as possible. You can read more about supportive housing below.

It’s important to know how much you can afford to pay for your new home each month. This information will help you decide if you should apply for public housing or a housing subsidy, think about living with roommates, or can afford to live on your own.

You can use this chart to estimate how much you can spend on housing each month. 

• How Much I Can Spend on Housing (pdf)

Once you have figured out the amount left for housing, compare that to your city and towns list and the fair market rent that you looked up for each location on the list. Ask yourself…

• Is the amount you have left for housing more than the fair market rent for your preferred locations? If yes, you’re a step closer to finding your new home! 
• Is the amount you have left for housing less than the fair market rent for your preferred locations? Is it a little less? Think about ways you can cut back on other expenses or look for some neighboring cities and towns where the fair market rent is lower.
• Is the amount you have left for housing less than the fair market rent for your preferred locations? Is it a lot less? You’ll need to start thinking about less expensive housing options – like moving in with roommates, getting a single room occupancy, or applying for public housing or a housing subsidy.

Having a roommate can be a great way to save on housing costs, split cleaning duties, and have built-in company. Before you decide to move in with someone, it’s smart to learn more about them and the housing situation you’ll be moving into.

Here’s a list of questions to get you started!

• Questions for Roommates (pdf)

There’s a few major types of housing  that you may want to apply for – read below to learn about each of these. Know that sometimes your ideal housing situation will not be available to you right away. The more types and opportunities you are open to, the more successful you’re going to be with your search.

You can use this list to keep track of the types of housing you want to apply for.

• Deciding What Housing to Look For (pdf)

Market rate rental housing is housing that has a cost in line with similar housing in the same area. There usually are no restrictions on who can rent it. Market rate housing can include houses, multi-family homes, and apartments.

If your income is limited, it will be hard to afford market rate housing on your own, but finding a roommate or renting a room in someone’s home could be an option.

Affordable housing is housing that rents for less than other properties in the area. It is usually restricted to people who have low to medium income, though the amount of rent you pay does not change if your income does.

Housing lotteries are a big source of affordable housing. Many rooming housing are also affordable. Some affordable housing is especially for seniors or people with disabilities, while other options are for anyone who is income eligible.

Subsidized housing is private housing where the renter has a subsidy to help pay for rent.

A housing voucher is one kind of housing subsidy. With a housing voucher, people with low to medium income pay a part of that income each month towards rent. The remainder of the rent is paid by a local housing authority or regional administrating agency. Other housing subsidies are funded by tax credits to property owners and US Department of Agriculture.

Public housing is housing that is owned by the local housing authority or regional administrating agency. Like subsidized housing, public housing is limited to people with low and medium income who pay part of that income to rent each month.

Supportive housing is housing that comes with services that help a person stay in their home and live as independently as possible. Supportive housing is usually restricted to people with disabilities or elders.

Before you start your search, take some time to gather needed information and documents. You can use this checklist to make sure you have everything you need!

• Getting Ready for My Housing Search (pdf)

It’s likely that your credit history will be checked during the housing search process. Housing authorities, landlords, and other housing providers may use your credit history to help determine if you’ll be a reliable tenant. Because of this, it’s good to check your credit report and score, and work to resolve any issues that you discover. You can use the links below to learn more.

• credit and credit reports
• dealing with debt

It’s also likely that your criminal record will be checked during your housing search. Your criminal record will include offenses that you’ve been charged with. If you think you may have criminal charges, it’s a good idea to get a copy of your Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI). If you have past charges on your record, you can explore sealing or expunging your record. Learn more at the links below.

• CORI Frequently Asked Questions
• additional Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI)

You can use this handout to keep track of where you plan to search for housing and where you’ve applied.

• Housing Search Record (pdf)

Market rate rental housing is housing that has a cost in line with similar housing in the same area. There usually are no restrictions on who can rent it. Market rate housing can include houses, multi-family homes, and apartments.

If your income is limited, it will be hard to afford market rate housing on your own, but finding a roommate or renting a room in someone’s home could be an option.

Affordable housing is housing that rents for less than other properties in the area. It’s often financed through local, state, or federal funding or tax breaks that are provided to property owners. It is usually restricted to people who have low to medium income, though the amount of rent you pay does not change if your income does.

Housing lotteries are a big source of affordable housing. Many rooming housing are also affordable. Some affordable housing is especially for seniors or people with disabilities, while other options are for anyone who is income eligible. Know that each affordable housing opportunity has it’s own application process.

Subsidized housing is private housing where the renter has a subsidy to help pay for rent.

A housing voucher is one kind of housing subsidy. With a housing voucher, people with low to medium income pay a part of that income each month towards rent. The remainder of the rent is paid by a local housing authority or regional administrating agency. Other housing subsidies are funded by tax credits to property owners and US Department of Agriculture.

State Funded Vouchers

Massachusetts offers two main housing voucher programs – the Alternative Housing Voucher Program and the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program.

Some vouchers are mobile, meaning the voucher holder is the renter and it can follow the person when they move as long as they remain eligible. Other vouchers are project-based, meaning the property owner is the voucher holder and the voucher stays with the unit when the person moves.

Federally-Funded Housing Vouchers

There are several federal housing voucher programs.

Some vouchers are mobile, meaning the voucher holder is the renter and it can follow the person when they move as long as they remain eligible. Other vouchers are project-based, meaning the property owner is the voucher holder and the voucher stays with the unit when the person moves.

Other Subsidized Housing

Aside from housing vouchers, there are several other types of project-based housing subsidy programs.

Public housing is housing that is owned by the local housing authority or regional administrating agency. Public housing is limited to people with low and medium income who pay part of that income to rent each month.

Like vouchers, some public housing opportunities are funded by the state, and others are funded by the federal government. Some public housing opportunities are especially for seniors or people with disabilities, while some is for anyone who is income eligible.

State Funded Public Housing

Federally-Funded Public Housing

Supportive housing is housing that comes with services that help a person stay in their home and live as independently as possible. Supportive housing is usually restricted to people with disabilities or elders.

Supportive housing can be “bundled,” meaning the support and housing are overseen by the same department or agency and eligibility is determined together. It can also be ‘unbundled,” meaning the housing and support are overseen by different departments or agencies and eligibility for the housing or support are not dependent on each other. With unbundled supportive housing, a person may have market rate, affordable, subsidized, or public housing.

Before you move in to your new home, you may be asked to sign a lease. A lease is a written agreement between you and your new landlord. It generally includes how long you agree to rent your home for, how much you will pay for rent, who will pay for utilities, and rules you must follow to stay in good standing with your landlord.

If you’re not asked to sign a lease, you’re considered a “tenant at will.” This is a less-formal arrangement between you and your landlord. When you’re a tenant at will, you may still be asked to sign a rental agreement or there may be just a verbal agreement between you and your landlord.

If you’re given a lease or rental agreement, make sure you read it carefully before signing. Ask your landlord any questions you have or about anything you don’t understand. You can also ask a trusted person for help with understanding what you’re agreeing to.

Make sure you also understand important information about your new home, including how to pay your rent, what to do with trash, and who to call when there’s an issue. This information may be included in your lease or rental agreement, but make sure to ask your landlord if it’s not.

• Questions to Ask My Landlord (pdf)

Before you move in, also make sure to ask your new landlord about utilities. Some utilities may be included in your monthly rent, while others you may have to pay out of pocket. For any utility that is not paid for by your landlord, you can also use the internet to find out what companies serve your area and what their prices are. Many utility companies offer special rates or packages for people with limited income.

Some utilities are essential, while others you can decide if you want or not. For some utilities, like gas and electric, there may be only one option for who provides it. For other utilities, like cable or telephone, you may be able to choose who provides it.

You can use the links below to find utility providers and discount services in your area.

Electricity

• Help paying your utility bill
• Electric service overview
• Electricity Providers by Municipality (pdf)

Gas

• Help paying your utility bill
• Natural Gas Providers by Municipality (pdf)

Oil

• Help paying your utility bill
• find a heating oil provider

Telephone

• Lifeline program
• compare cell phone plans

Internet

• find internet providers
• find internet options for people with limited income

If possible, research utility options before you move in and arrange to have them set up before or shortly after your move-in date.

Thinking About My Utilities (pdf)

Moving into a new home can come with a lot of expenses. You may need to buy furniture, appliances, linens, other household necessities. Some of these things you will need right away, while others you will be able to get over time.

You may also have to pay a security deposit, first and last month’s rent, or for new locks and keys. The security deposit covers repairs for future damages that you may make to your new home. The last month’s rent helps ensure that the landlord gets paid if you move out without giving notice or have unpaid back rent. Both of these will be paid back to you when you move out, if they are not used. Make sure to get a receipt from your landlord for any expenses you pay before moving in.

If you’re having trouble paying expenses to your landlord, you can ask your landlord if they would be willing to set up a payment plan.

Here are some other ways to get help with your moving related costs…

• If you get support from Department of Mental Health (DMH), contingency funds may be available to help. Contingency funds can be used for incidental expenses that support your wellness and safety. Ask your Adult Community Clinical Services (ACCS) or Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) team leader about this.
• If you are enrolled in a MassHealth managed care plan (including a One Care plan), you may be eligible for the Mitigating the Costs of Housing (MATCH) Program. MATCH helps people cover move-in costs and buy the items they may need to make a new home livable and comfortable. To be eligible, you must be moving out of a place where you are not currently responsible for housing costs and related expenses and into community-based housing where they do need to pay for housing costs and expenses.
• Your local Community Action Program (CAP) may have funds to help with one-time emergency needs. You can reach out to your local CAP to ask.
• You can also call Mass 2-1-1. This is an information and referral service that helps people find resources to meet their basic needs. They may be able to help you find other resources to cover moving-related costs. You can call Mass 2-1-1 to get started.

You can use this handout to help plan for moving costs, and who can help with these costs.

• Thinking About Moving Costs (pdf)

Buying groceries can be a big ongoing expense. The Food Source Hotline can help people find food pantries, community meals, and other food-related resources in their community. The Food Source Hotline can also screen callers for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility. You can call the Food Source Hotline to get started.

• Food Source Hotline
• Finding Food Resources In My Area (pdf)

If your new home is a distance from where you were previously living, it may make sense to change some of the places you were getting health care and other essential supports. Think about each of the places you get care now, how often you get care there, and how easy it will be to get there from your new home. Also start thinking about options for finding new care, and who can help you with this.

• Finding Health Care and Other Essential Supports (pdf)

There’s a lot of different options for getting peer support! You can use this handout for keeping track of the options you want to try.

• Peer Support Options I Want To Check Out (pdf)

Getting involved with your local Recovery Learning Community (RLC) is a great way to get connected with peer support. RLCs are communities of people who come together to support one another. They are run by and for people who have had experiences that are typically labeled as mental health symptoms. RLCs offer peer support groups, one-on-one support, wellness-based workshops, and more. They are free, open to all who want to join, and no insurance is needed.

• Find your local Recovery Learning Community

If you’re a young person, you can check out the Young Adult Access Center in your area for support by and for young people like you. Each center helps young adults build skills for independent living, learning, and employment, and offers opportunities for peer support and mentoring.

• Find your local Young Adult Access Center

Other options for getting peer support include NAMI Connection support groups and NAMI Peer-to-Peer classes, Depression Bipolar Support Alliance groups, and more.

• Find other peer support options

If you are someone who deals with addiction, currently uses substances, or has used substances in the past, you can join your local Peer Recovery Support Center (PRSC) for mutual support opportunities. PRSCs are run by and for people who have personal experience with substance use or addiction. They offer support groups, one-on-one support, and more. They are free, open to all who want to join, and no insurance is needed.

• Find your local Peer Recovery Support Center

Beyond peer support, there are a lot of different ways to meet people who are near your new home. Here are some ideas you may want to check out…

• volunteer at a local organization
  Volunteering is a great way to meet people and give back to your community at the same time! Try Volunteer Match to find volunteer opportunities near you.
• take a class
  Local community colleges, and sometimes local high school or vocational schools, offer low-cost classes on any number of topics. This can be a fun way to learn a new skill – like cooking, photography, or typing – while meeting others. Local craft stores like Michael’s and Joanne Fabrics also offer low-cost classes on activities like quilting, knitting, scrap booking, or flower arranging.
• join a sports team
  If you like to play sports, you can try an amateur sports team in your area! Use Zog Sports or League Lineup to find team near you.
• try an exercise class
  Exercise classes are a fun way to meet people and keep healthy at the same time! Try Classpass to find classes near you.
• join a house of worship
  Houses of worship can be a good place to start building community.
• try Nextdoor
  Nextdoor is an app that helps you connect with people in your neighborhood, to exchange helpful information, goods, and services. Join your neighborhood.
• try Meetup
  Meetup is also a great tool! MeetUp is website that you can use to find other people with the same interest in your area.

Other options for meeting new people include local clubs and interest groups, game stores, group bike rides, and more. Google can be really helpful for finding activities in your area. Simply google the name of your city or town + an activity you like or would like to try (for example, “Quincy + board games”).

You can use this handout to keep track of the things you want to try!

• Meeting New People (pdf)

You may not know how to be a “good tenant,” especially if you’ve never lived in your own home before.

You can use this list as a starting place. It includes things you can do to help keep a good relationship with your landlord and neighbors. For any skills you will need help with, think about who can help you with it. This could include a person you know, like a family member or friend. It could also be a program or service.

• Things I Can Do To Be A Good Tenant (pdf)

There are several state and federal laws that work together to protect people against housing discrimination. In most cases, it is illegal for a landlord, their employee, or a real estate broker to discriminate against you because of your:

• disability (including a mental health diagnosis)
• race
• color
• national origin
• ancestry
• gender
• gender identity
• sexual orientation
• marital status
• religion
• age (if you are 18 or over) – except in housing designated for people aged 55 and older

It is also illegal to discriminate against you because you:

• are a current or former member of the military
• are pregnant or have a child
• get a federal, state, or local rental assistance or a housing subsidy
• get public assistance or benefits like SSDI, SSI, or EAEDC

This means that the landlord cannot refuse to rent to you or require different conditions of you simply because you are a member of one of the groups listed above.

If you have a disability, you have a right to ask for reasonable accommodations and modifications that could help you find or keep housing.

A disability is a mental or physical impairment that substantially limit one or more major life activities. Major life activities can include caring for yourself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working.

Additional Resources:

Tenant Rights

Tenants’ Rights in Massachusetts: Private Housing

Tenants’ Rights in Public Housing

Tenancy Preservation Program