HOUSING
STATE-AIDED PUBLIC HOUSING
The Department of Housing and Community Department assists with housing through the 253 Housing Authorities in Massachusetts. There are different types of public housing available such as housing for families, elderly persons, and certain persons with disabilities. Households seeking public housing assistance must apply for housing in the community in which they are interested in living
The Scituate Housing Authority provides housing for qualified low-income elderly and handicapped persons upon availability.
Scituate Housing Authority
LINCOLN PARK, BOX 187
NO. SCITUATE, MA 02066
781-545-3375
To apply for state-aided public housing, you must use the Common Housing Application for Massachusetts Public Housing (CHAMP).
You can apply using CHAMP either online at our CHAMP website, https://publichousingapplication.ocd.state.ma.us/ or in person by completing a printed paper application.
At the bottom of this page you will find the printed paper application. You will also find a list of the types of public housing offered by each housing authority in Massachusetts.
If you are currently on the waiting list, you may use the wait-list request form to receive information about where you are on the list. This form can be found at the bottom of this page.
At the bottom of this page, you will also find a copy of the Housing Authorities tenant selection and assignment plan.
Waitlists vary by property and can be several years long. It is recommended that those in need of housing cast their nets wide and get on as many waitlists as they are able, to increase the chances of getting housing.
EMERGENCY APPLICATION FOR STATE-AIDED HOUSING
In order to apply for Emergency housing, you must be a homeless applicant, as defined below:
(a) is without or about to be without a place to live or is in a living situation in which there is a significant, immediate, and direct threat to the life or safety of the applicant or a household member which situation would be alleviated by placement in an appropriate unit. (Applicants temporarily residing in a shelter are considered without a place to live.); and
(b) has made reasonable efforts to locate alternative housing; and
(c) has not caused or substantially contributed to the safety or life-threatening situation (In cases of domestic violence, there is a presumption that victims did not contribute to their circumstances.); and
(d) has pursued available ways to prevent or avoid the safety or life-threatening situation by seeking assistance through the courts or appropriate administrative or enforcement agencies.
You may find instructions and an extensive checklist of required verification documents to send with the application for priotity status at the bottom of this page.
If you have any questions about the application or are in need of assistance you may call the housing authority that you are applying to. A list of housing authorities can be found at the bottom of this page.
SECTION 8 VOUCHER PROGRAM
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) increases affordable housing choices for very low-income households by helping families pay a portion of their rent in privately owned housing, that accepts section 8 vouchers.
Eligibility is based on the family's total gross income. At least 75% of all vouchers issued by a housing agency must be targeted to households whose total income does not exceed 30% of the area median income. HUD establishes income limits.
You may apply online here: https://secure.massnahro.org/Section8LHA_Internet/WebPages/Registration/Home.aspx
At the bottom of this page you will find a printable application, you may submit this completed form to Scituate Housing Authority.
Scituate Housing Authority
LINCOLN PARK, BOX 187
NO. SCITUATE, MA 02066
781-545-3375
Note: The waiting list for this program is a few years. The list updates every two years. Make sure you report any change in address, in writing, to one of the regional agencies after submitting the application.
EMERGENCY HOUSING ASSISTANCE
Emergency Shelters
At the bottom of this page, you will find a list of Emergency Housing Shelters and who they accommodate. The two shelters located the closest to Scituate are MainSpring House and Father Bill's Place.
RAFT Program- Residential Assistance for Families in Transition
The RAFT Program is a homelessness prevention program funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). RAFT provides short-term financial assistance to low-income families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
If you are facing one of the following crises, you may be eligible for RAFT and should contact our HCEC Team at 781-422-4204 to see how they can help:
- Eviction
- Doubled up in a must-leave situation
- Housing that has been condemned and is no longer habitable
- Foreclosure that will result in loss of housing
- Severe overcrowding
- Fire, flood or other natural disaster
- Domestic violence
- Other crises that will result in loss of housing within 30 days
HomeBASE Program
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ HomeBASE program provides flexible housing assistance to eligible homeless families, along with stabilization services to support those families once they secure housing. Housing Solutions administers HomeBASE in Plymouth and Bristol counties but eligibility for it is determined by the state at a Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) offices:
If your family is in an immediate housing crisis or homeless, you must first apply for Emergency Assistance (EA) at a DTA office.
- 60 Main Street, Brockton, MA 508-895-7000
- 61 Industrial Park Road, Plymouth, MA 508-732-3100
If you need assistance filling out any of the applications or have any further questions you may call Scituate Town Social Worker at 781-545-8828.
