Housing-Related Resources: Massachusetts
Housing-Related Resources: Massachusetts
HousingWorks
P.O. Box 231104
Boston, MA 02123
617-504-0577
Click a link to jump to the section you want:
GET Massachusetts ZIP CODES.
When you first use HousingWorks, your first search is limited to a five mile circle around a zip code. That's a big area: a five-mile circle will cover most major cities on the East Coast!
But once you have applied to all the places in that give mile circle, you may want to change the zip code so that you can search another 25 square mile area. Here's how you do that:
I. Decide what zip code you want to use as the center of your search:
1a. If you know the name of a town or city in that area, you can get that zip code from the united states post office website: www.usps.com. In the red bar that runs across the top of the page, click "Find a ZIP code". Then use the resources there to get a list of zip codes for that town and state.
2. Next, return to the HousingWorks website and sign on with your ID and password.
Here's how:
2a. Go to www.housingworks.net and click
the link "Enter HousingWorks"
2b. Click link: "Registered Housing Advocate"
2c. Sign on with your ID and password
If you are receiving this email,
you have been assigned an ID and password.
If you've forgotten what it is,
you can email us and ask.)
2d. If you see an "OK" button, click on it.
2e. If you've created any client profiles,
click the link "View list of clients"
and then click on the name of a client
whose search you want to change. At
the bottom of the page, click the link
"Search/Apply for housing for this client".
2f. On the next page, select a mileage and
enter a zip code for your search. NEXT,
BE SURE to click at least two checkboxes
in the blue section just below:
"Rental Assistance Voucher" and also
"Family/Individual Housing" or "Elderly
Housing" or "Wheelchair housing" are the most
common boxes to check.
2g. Pick the unit size or sizes that you want: 1BR, 2BR, etc.
2h. Hit the button "Find Housing" and wait
for the results to show up.
Our website will memorize this search
and repeat it every week for you until
you decide to change it again in the future.
THIS SEARCH TAKES TIME BECAUSE IT LOOKS AT more than 5000+ housing programs (we count Boston Housing Authority as one program so you can see that the search is extensive). Right now our system is comparing 50,000 people and 25,000+ waitlists.
HOW TO LOCATE PAST LANDLORD INFORMATION
You want to contact the TAX ASSESSOR's office for the town where the applicant resided. (The websites for about 50 cities are accessible using the links just below) Usually you can just type the city and state in the ADDRESS bar of your web browser, like this: Springfield, MA. This will locate the official city website if there is one. From there, look for a list of departments or services and find the Tax Assessors' page. Often you can enter the address into this page and it will give you the contact information for the current landlord or owner.
- How to locate Past Landlord information in Boston
(page is confusing: for 1200 Smith Lane, type "1200" in one box, type "Smith" in the second box, and select "Lane" from the choices in the third box)
- How to locate Past Landlord information in Cambridge
- How to locate Past Landlord information in Worcester (page is confusing: for 1200 Smith Lane, find item 2, and type "Smith" in one box, then type "1200" in the second box)
- How to locate Past Landlord information in Many Other Massachusetts Cities (click on the city you wish to research)
These websites let you quickly get the address for owners/managers of housing in some Massachusetts cities. If you learn about other such sites (usually the Tax Accessor website for each city, let us know by emailing support@housingworks.net.
FIND HOUSING ADVOCATES (AND OTHER RESOURCES SUCH AS FOOD PANTRIES, THRIFT SHOPS, etc IN Massachusetts.
- HomeBasics Database
HomeBasics is the largest social service database in Massachusetts. It is a constantly-updated database of housing related resources,
including a list of housing advocate agencies adn also such items as food pantries, thrift shops, free furniture, cell phones for women escaping domestic violence, etc.
HomeBasics is free of charge, but only available to Housing Advocates and Providers who
register with HousingWorks.(Because users can make changes to the database, we only permit registered persons to
access this database. Registration is free: call 617-599-0242 to request an ID and password.
- MassCARES Resource Locator - AKA 2-1-1
This is a resource with some value. Generally only state approved resources get listed, so that cuts out many programs. However, it will have some listings of value. Here is their blurb: "Every day, people everywhere in Massachusetts need to find essential health and human services, or community services such as after school programs, a food pantry, or where to secure care for an aging parent. Many face these challenges, but don't always know where to turn for help. ".
- Disability HealthCare Resources Databases (NE Index)
The New England Index is a database for disability-related programs and services in Massachusetts. On this page,
you can search the following databases:
- Resource Database
- Consultant Registry
- Physician Registry - offices with wheelchair access or lists of doctors who specialize in patients with specific disabilities
- Dentist Registry - offices with wheelchair access or lists of dentists who specialize in patients with specific disabilities
WHERE ELSE CAN YOU GO FOR HELP?
- Regional Consumer Education Centers
These are full-service centers with free computers and staff to help you. Locate and contact the Housing Consumer Education Center nearest you. Click the link, find the map, and select one of the counties.
This website was made possible through funding provided by the Bureau of Neighborhoods/Division of Neighborhood Services of the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development.
- Publications from the Mass Law Reform Institute, teaching *everything* about subsidized housing, in simple english.
This group of publications lets you read just the parts you need to learn All of them are excellent and easy to understand.
ADVOCATES AND PROVIDES - REQUEST A FREE PERSONAL TRAINING on HOW TO USE HOUSINGWORKS (Housing Advocates and Providers only!)
Sorry, we will not take calls from individual housing seekers. If you are an applicant, go back to the top of this page and access the link for applicants.
We offer free trainings every Wednesday at 10 AM EST. To sign up for a training, just download this form and fax it back to us. The fax number is on the form.
READ THE SHORT HOUSINGWORKS INSTRUCTION GUIDES
BROWSE THESE SHORT EDUCATION GUIDES
SEE THE CURRENT INCOME LIMITS AND FAIR MARKET RENTS FOR YOUR STATE
Click the button on the web page for "documentation", then pick your state or town. Note that the rents are only shown for Studios-4 Bedroom units, and that you have to calculate the amounts for larger families or units. (In other words, Multiple 1.15 times the four-bedroom FMR for a five-bedroom rent, and multiple 1.30 times the four-bedroom FMR for a six-bedroom unit).
- FY 2008 Income Limits and Fair Market Rents for all HUD subsidized Housing
POLITICAL AND LOBBYING INFORMATION
HELP WITH DISCRIMINATION
- Complaints about Housing Discrimination - (HUD's online complaint form)
Information on the Disability Discrimination Complaint Process:
- You can file a complaint right now, by using HUD's online form.
- You can call toll-free 1-800-669-9777.
- You can print out a form, complete it, and drop it off at your local HUD office or mail it to:
Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Room 5204
451 Seventh St. SW
Washington, DC 20410-2000
- Complaints about Disability Discrimination
A complaint is a communication alleging discrimination on the basis of disability and in some way asking for HUD's assistance in resolving the problem. It may range from a verbal communication (which is later put in writing) to a complaint submitted on either the old HUD-903 Complaint Form, or on the new HUD Housing Discrimination Information Form.
This page provides a phone and email connection to HUD's Fair Housing Department, including a TTY link.
- Disability and Discrimination:
a handy laymen's notebook to dealing with discrimination related to any disability).
If you have encountered discrimination, you need to decide:
- What you can do to protect yourself
- How you can organize a plan of action
- Where you should go for help
You can fill this book out and use it before you take any drastic steps.
MAINSTREAM BENEFITS, REQUESTS FOR RECORDS AND VERIFICATION FORMS