WHAT IS PUBLIC HOUSING?
Public housing is intended to provide decent, safe, and affordable rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. In its broadest definition public housing includes apartments owned and managed by public housing authorities and subsidized apartments privately owned and managed.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE BARNSTABLE HOUSING AUTHORITY?
The Barnstable Housing Authority is responsible for the management and operation of its local public housing programs and various voucher programs.
WHAT ARE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMS?
Units owned and managed by the Housing Authority are available under the Public Housing Program. These apartments are intended to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
WHAT ARE LEASED HOUSING OR RENTAL VOUCHER PROGRAMS?
Leased Housing or Rental Voucher Programs (oftentimes referred to as Section 8) use vouchers to subsidize the family’s rent paid to private landlords. This allows eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities the opportunity to afford private rental apartments. The BHA receives funding from the Massachusetts Dept. of Housing and Community Development for Voucher Programs which regulates the eligibility and other requirements of the specific Housing Voucher Program
WHAT KINDS OF PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMS ARE THERE?
There are two categories of subsidized housing programs: Public Housing Programs where the Housing Authority is the landlord and Leased Housing or Rental Voucher Programs where private individuals, companies or corporations are the landlord. Tenants pay a portion of their income for rent in ‘public’ housing (usually 30%); in the voucher program tenants pay a portion of the rent and the BHA subsidizes the remaining amount.
AM I ELIGIBLE?
Our housing programs are intended for low-income families and individuals. Eligibility is based upon annual income, whether you qualify as elderly, a disabled individual, or as a family and U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status. References are checked to verify whether you and your family will be good tenants. Income limits have been determined for eligibility purposes for all the programs. Please see the Income Limits. Call our Office at 508-771-7222 with any questions.
