Last updated: October 28, 2026
Bottom line
Massachusetts housing help is not one program. The right first step depends on what is happening now. Emergency Assistance family shelter may help an eligible pregnant person or family with children who has nowhere safe to stay. RAFT may help with a short-term rent, mortgage, utility, or moving crisis. Public housing and vouchers may lower housing costs for the long term, but waiting lists can be long.
Single mothers do not receive automatic approval. Each program checks its own rules, such as income, household members, housing crisis, disability, pregnancy, age of children, and where you live. Apply to every program that fits instead of waiting for one list.
Use ASMOM’s Massachusetts help page for a wider view of state support. The national housing guide also explains common housing terms and next steps.
If you need housing help today
- No safe place tonight: Review the EA shelter application if you are pregnant or have a child under 21. You can apply online at any time or call 866-584-0653, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Rent, mortgage, utility, or moving crisis: Use the official RAFT page to apply and check what proof is needed.
- Unsafe because of abuse: The SafeLink resource page gives confidential statewide support. Use a safer device if someone may be checking your phone or browser.
- Not sure where to start: Contact Mass 211 and ask for shelter, food, legal, utility, and local housing referrals.
- Eviction papers: Do not ignore them or move out only because a Notice to Quit gives a date. Read Massachusetts eviction basics and seek legal help quickly.
ASMOM’s Massachusetts emergency guide and emergency rent guide offer more practical steps while you contact official programs.
Where to start
If you are homeless
Apply for EA family shelter. Ask whether you are eligible, whether you were placed on the Contact List, and what documents or updates are still needed.
If you owe housing costs
Apply for RAFT. Tell your landlord or mortgage company that you applied, save the case number, and ask the regional agency whether your file is complete.
If rent is too high
Apply for state public housing, MRVP, AHVP if it fits, Section 8, and income-restricted apartments. These are separate paths.
If forms feel confusing
Find your local housing education center for free housing information, application help, and local referrals.
What has changed
October 2026: The online application for Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance (HEAP) opened October 1 for the 2026–27 heating season. The older note on this page said applications were closed. See the state HEAP instructions if you need help with heating costs.
Quick guide to Massachusetts housing help
| Your need | Program or route | Who may qualify | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| No safe place to stay | EA family shelter | Eligible pregnant people and families with children under 21 | Shelter space is limited. An eligible family may be placed on the Contact List. |
| Short-term housing crisis | RAFT | Households at or below 50% AMI, or up to 60% AMI when housing risk is tied to domestic violence | RAFT is capped at $7,000 in a rolling 12-month period and may not cover the full balance. |
| Lower rent long term | Public housing, MRVP, AHVP, Section 8 | Low-income households that meet each program’s rules | Applications are separate and waiting lists may take years. |
| Affordable apartment | Income-restricted housing | Households within the property’s income and household-size rules | Each property has its own application, deadline, and waitlist. |
| Eviction or discrimination | Legal aid and fair housing help | Eligibility varies by legal service and complaint type | Court and complaint deadlines can be short. |
Emergency Assistance family shelter
Emergency Assistance (EA) is the Massachusetts family shelter program for eligible pregnant people and families with children under 21. It is not open to every family with a high rent bill. The state checks Massachusetts residency, household and income rules, and a qualifying housing crisis. The state lists causes such as no-fault eviction, fire, flood, some other disasters, domestic violence risk, or serious health and safety danger to a child. The published income test is generally 115% of the federal poverty guidelines, with rules about what income counts. Use the official EA eligibility page above to check your household instead of guessing from an old income chart.
You can start online or call the Emergency Family Shelter Contact Line. Ask the worker what proof is missing and how you will receive notices. Keep your phone, email, and mailing address current.
Apply online through the state Housing Help Hub at any hour. State staff process applications during office hours. You can also call 866-584-0653, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or ask about an in-person appointment. Ask for a free interpreter if you need one. Applying does not promise a shelter room that night.
The EA Contact List
Being found eligible does not always mean a shelter placement is ready that day. The state’s EA Contact List page says space and funding are limited. Families may be sorted into tracks based on current state rules and documented needs.
While waiting, answer calls, check messages, and report changes. Ask the worker what you must do to keep your place active. Do not rely on an old screenshot or social media post because shelter rules have changed several times. Time matters: The state says families must provide required EA eligibility documents within 30 days after fully submitting an application. If you receive an offer of shelter, respond by noon on the next business day, as the state’s contact-list instructions explain. Ask your coordinator how to meet these steps and what to do if you cannot be reached safely.
HomeBASE
HomeBASE is linked to EA eligibility. It can help an eligible family avoid shelter or move from shelter into housing. The current HomeBASE program page lists up to $30,000 over two years. A shelter or diversion worker helps decide how the money may be used.
HomeBASE is not unrestricted cash. A shelter or diversion worker creates the plan with you. Approved costs may include rent, first or last month’s rent, a deposit, some moving costs, overdue rent or utilities that block a new lease, and basic furniture. The state says participating families generally pay at least 30% of gross income toward rent. A family found fully EA-eligible may be able to use HomeBASE even while waiting for a shelter place. Ask your EA worker for a HomeBASE or diversion referral before agreeing to a lease.
RAFT for rent and housing emergencies
Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) is the state’s main short-term housing emergency program. It can help eligible renters and owner-occupants stay in their home or move to a safer one.
Current rules allow up to $7,000 per household in a rolling 12-month period. RAFT may cover approved rent arrears, mortgage costs, utilities, moving costs, or other costs tied to an immediate housing crisis. The amount depends on the problem, proof, prior help, and whether the payment can resolve or reduce the crisis.
Who may qualify
You may qualify if you are at risk of losing housing and your household income is under 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for your town. A household at risk of domestic violence may qualify with income under 60% AMI. AMI means the middle income for the area, and limits vary by family size and place. The application checks your local limit and proof. These are program tests, not automatic approvals.
What the application needs
Common items include ID for the head of household, proof of where you live, proof of the crisis, and income details. The state may ask for more proof when it cannot check income from available records. If the request involves rent, the landlord must file a matching application within 21 days. If the landlord does not, your case can time out and you may have to apply again. Contact your regional administering agency (RAA) or Housing Consumer Education Center for help with a paper or online application.
Use the documents checklist below before you upload records. Save proof of upload. Ask the regional agency to tell you whether your file is complete instead of sending the same document many times.
RAFT may not pay everything
If the debt is more than the program limit, you may need a written payment plan, another funding source, or proof that the remaining balance can be handled. Do not promise a landlord that RAFT will pay until the agency approves the case.
After applying: Watch email and the Housing Help Hub for document requests and deadlines. An RAA may ask for more proof or tell you how to request review after a denial. You can apply again for more help within a year only if the total approved RAFT payments in the rolling 12-month period stay within the cap. Ask before counting on another payment.
Long-term public housing and vouchers
Long-term housing help is slower than emergency help. Apply even if you also have a RAFT or shelter case. You do not have to wait for one application before starting another.
| Housing path | What it does | Where to apply | Important rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| State public housing | Offers lower-rent homes owned by local housing authorities | Use the state housing application | Choose several locations when possible and keep the application updated. |
| MRVP | Provides a state rental voucher for eligible households | Use the MRVP application guide | The current income limit is 80% AMI. Homeless priority needs proof. |
| AHVP | Provides state vouchers for some non-elderly people with disabilities | Use the AHVP application guide | The person with a disability must be under 60 when found eligible, and household income must be at or below 80% AMI. |
| Section 8 | Uses a federal voucher to help pay rent | Read the Section 8 instructions | Many agencies have long waitlists, and some use separate applications. |
| Restricted apartments | Offers lower rent tied to a specific apartment | Search Housing Navigator listings | Apply to each property and follow its income, bedroom, and deadline rules. |
2026 notices for MRVP and AHVP households
If you already receive an MRVP or AHVP voucher, check the state’s 2026 policy notices. Changes can affect your rent share, income reviews, and help with deposits. The MRVP participant notice and AHVP participant notice explain the changes. The state also says MRVP and AHVP participants must report household and income changes within 30 days. Ask your administering housing agency which change applies to you and when it starts. Do not assume that these state rules also apply to federal Section 8.
CHAMP and Section 8 are separate
CHAMP is the shared application for state-aided public housing, MRVP and AHVP. Federal Section 8 has its own lists. The central Section 8 list takes one application for its participating Massachusetts housing authorities, but it does not put you on CHAMP or every other Section 8 list. Some housing agencies and specific buildings have their own lists. Keep both applications up to date and ask about local preferences.
Apply to both when they fit. ASMOM’s Section 8 guide explains common voucher steps, but the housing authority makes the decision.
Where to get local housing help
Housing offices serve different towns. Use statewide finders instead of calling a random agency that may not cover your address.
| Resource | What it can do | Best question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Housing Consumer Education Center | Explains RAFT, housing search, tenant issues, and local programs | “Which agency handles my town and can someone check my application?” |
| Local housing authority | Handles local public housing and some federal programs | “Which lists are open, and do you use a separate application?” |
| Community Action Agency | May help with energy aid, budgeting, housing referrals, and local crisis programs | “Which housing and utility programs serve my ZIP code?” |
| Mass 211 | Connects callers to shelters, food, legal aid, and local nonprofits | “Which family housing services are open near me today?” |
The state’s housing authority list gives local office details. Its Community Action list helps you find an agency for your town. Community Action agencies may also offer local utility or emergency referrals.
Utility help that may protect housing
A large heating or electric bill can lead to a housing crisis. Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance, also called HEAP or LIHEAP, pays part of eligible winter heating costs. The current HEAP page says the online application opens October 1 for the heating season that runs November 1 through April 30.
As of October 12, 2026, applications for the 2026–27 HEAP season are open. The heating season runs November 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027. New applicants must complete an intake appointment. Returning households generally need to renew each year. Ask your local HEAP agency what proof it needs. For electric or gas bills, ask your utility about payment plans, discount rates and shutoff protections through the state’s utility bill page. A shutoff notice may also support RAFT if other rules are met.
ASMOM’s Massachusetts utility guide covers related bill and shutoff questions. Apply to HEAP through the state or your local agency, not through a site promising instant funding.
Eviction, voucher, and fair housing rights
A Massachusetts landlord cannot force you out by changing locks, moving your things, or cutting off services instead of following the legal eviction process. A Notice to Quit is not a court order to leave on the date printed on it. The state explains the next steps in its Notice to Quit guide. If you get a court summons or other papers, read each one and seek legal help quickly. This section gives general information, not legal advice.
The Legal Resource Finder can connect you with free or low-cost legal services. The state also lists eviction legal services that may offer information, mediation, or limited representation.
Massachusetts fair housing law protects people from several kinds of housing discrimination, including discrimination based on family status, disability, and source of income. A landlord or agent may break the law by refusing to deal with a qualified applicant only because the person uses Section 8, RAFT, or another housing subsidy. Review the state fair housing page and ask for legal help before giving up the unit.
ASMOM’s Massachusetts legal guide lists other options. For abuse-related housing problems, ask a trained advocate about safe ways to reach services; avoid shared devices or accounts if another person monitors them.
Documents to gather
| Document | Why it may be needed | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Identity records | Shows who is applying | State ID, license, passport, birth certificate |
| Household records | Shows children, pregnancy, or household members | Birth records, school records, pregnancy letter |
| Income proof | Checks program income limits | Pay stubs, benefit letters, child support, unemployment, self-employment records |
| Housing proof | Shows where and how you live | Lease, tenancy agreement, rent ledger, mortgage statement |
| Crisis proof | Shows the urgent housing problem | Notice to Quit, court papers, shutoff notice, foreclosure notice, unsafe housing record |
| Application records | Helps track calls and missing items | Case number, screenshots, letters, email, call log |
Keep safe copies
Save clear photos or scans and keep originals. When safety is a concern, use an email address or storage place that another person cannot access.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying to only one list. State public housing, state vouchers, Section 8, and restricted apartments use different paths.
- Missing calls and mail. Update every application after a change of phone number, email, address, or household.
- Paying for a shortcut. No person can sell guaranteed public housing, a voucher, shelter placement, or RAFT approval.
- Ignoring court papers. A Notice to Quit is not a court order, but later papers can carry short deadlines.
- Using old income charts. Income limits change by year, location, household size, and program.
- Not asking for access help. Ask for an interpreter, disability accommodation, paper form, or application help when needed.
- Missing a matched RAFT filing. Ask your landlord to submit the required part within 21 days so your case does not time out.
- Assuming a shelter offer can wait. If EA offers a space, check the response time. Ask for safe contact options if needed.
If housing help is denied or delayed
Ask for the decision in writing. Read the whole notice for the reason, missing documents, review or appeal rights, and deadline. Do not depend only on what someone says by phone.
- RAFT: Ask the regional agency whether the application is complete, whether the landlord section was filed, and what rule caused the denial.
- EA shelter: Ask whether you were found ineligible or eligible but waiting. These are different decisions.
- CHAMP or vouchers: Follow the written appeal instructions if priority, preference, disability, or eligibility was denied.
- Discrimination: Save messages, ads, and names. Ask legal aid or a fair housing office about the next step.
Keep a simple log with the date, office, worker, case number and next action. If you are denied, ask how to request a review, hearing or appeal under the rules for that program. Do not miss a notice deadline while waiting for a callback.
Phone scripts
Call for family shelter
Hello, I am pregnant or have a child under 21, and we do not have a safe place to stay. I want to apply for EA family shelter. What proof do you need, and how will I know whether I am eligible or on the Contact List?
Call about RAFT
Hello, I applied for RAFT because of a housing crisis. My case number is [number]. Is my application complete? Has the landlord part been filed? What exact document or action is still needed?
Call a housing authority
Hello, I need long-term affordable housing. Which public housing, MRVP, AHVP, or Section 8 lists do you manage? Do you use CHAMP, the central Section 8 list, or a separate application?
Call legal aid
Hello, I received [a Notice to Quit, court papers, a voucher refusal, or a housing denial]. What deadline should I watch, and can your office help me understand my rights or find representation?
Resumen en español
Massachusetts tiene varios tipos de ayuda para vivienda. Si está embarazada o tiene hijos menores de 21 años y no tiene un lugar seguro, solicite el refugio familiar EA. Puede llamar al 866-584-0653 de lunes a viernes, de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m.
RAFT puede ayudar con una crisis de renta, hipoteca, servicios públicos o mudanza. El máximo actual es $7,000 durante un período móvil de 12 meses. Para ayuda a largo plazo, solicite vivienda pública, MRVP, AHVP, Sección 8 y apartamentos con renta limitada.
Guarde sus documentos, números de caso, correos y cartas. Si recibe una negación o papeles de desalojo, pida la decisión por escrito y busque ayuda legal lo antes posible.
La solicitud de ayuda para calefacción HEAP está abierta desde el 1 de octubre de 2026 para la temporada 2026–27. Si solicita RAFT por renta atrasada, el propietario también debe enviar su parte dentro de 21 días. Si le ofrecen un lugar en el refugio EA, confirme cuánto tiempo tiene para responder. Pida intérprete si lo necesita.
FAQ
Can single mothers get emergency family shelter in Massachusetts?
Possibly. EA family shelter serves eligible pregnant people and families with children under 21 who meet income, household, residency, and housing-crisis rules. Limited space may lead to placement on the Contact List.
How much can Massachusetts RAFT provide?
RAFT can provide up to $7,000 per household in a rolling 12-month period. The approved amount depends on the housing crisis, documents, prior help, and current program rules.
Can I apply for CHAMP and Section 8 at the same time?
Yes. CHAMP covers most state public housing and state voucher applications. Section 8 is federal and uses separate waiting lists. Apply to both when you meet the rules.
Can a Massachusetts landlord refuse Section 8?
A housing provider may violate Massachusetts law by refusing a qualified applicant only because the applicant uses Section 8 or another lawful housing subsidy. Contact legal aid or a fair housing office.
What should I do after a housing denial?
Ask for the written decision, read the reason and deadline, gather missing proof, and follow the appeal instructions. Legal aid may help with shelter, eviction, disability, or discrimination issues.
Is Massachusetts HEAP open now?
Yes. As of October 12, 2026, the Massachusetts HEAP online application is open for the 2026–27 heating season. The state says you may apply from October 1 and the heating season runs November 1 through April 30. New applicants need an intake appointment.
What happens if my EA family shelter application is eligible but no room is ready?
The state may place your family on the EA Contact List. Ask your homeless coordinator how the list works and which documents are due. Watch calls, texts and email. If offered a place, the state says to reply by noon on the next business day.
Do RAFT and Section 8 use the same application?
No. RAFT helps with a short housing crisis, while Section 8 is long-term rent help. You apply through different systems. You can seek both if you meet the rules.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Last verified: October 28, 2026. Next review: January 26, 2027.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.
Last updated: October 28, 2026 Next review: January 26, 2027