Housing Assistance
Somerville Community Corporation's (SCC's) Housing Assistance Program works with Somerville residents who are at risk of homelessness due to rent or utility arrears, high costs of housing, substandard housing, and other reasons. The program's primary goal is to stabilize families by helping them maintain their current housing. If the client needs to move, SCC helps them find new housing.
Services
If you need help with your housing situation, please call SCC at (617) 776-5931 and speak with Stacey Pires, ext. 232 or Matt Shuman, ext. 225. We provide a wide range of services including:
- Financial assistance for back rent and utilities.
- Advocacy and mediation on behalf of our clients, often with some of Somerville's largest landlords. In a majority of cases, we have been able to prevent evictions and form agreements to which both parties are agreeable.
- Housing search and placement, including help applying for Section 8, MRVP and public housing with subsidized units.
- Personal budgeting and credit management.
- Referrals to community organizations offering services we do not provide.
Emergency Funds/Tenant-Related Assistance
SCC helps with emergency rent payments, emergency utility payments, negotiating a payment plan with your landlord, or other housing-related problems. Income limits and other restrictions may apply.
The following organizations in Somerville and Greater Boston help individuals and families in emergency situations or at risk of homelessness:
Community Action Agency of Somerville works to promote the rights of tenants, prevent eviction, and help people access public benefits. It runs the Somerville Head Start Program.
Greater Boston Legal Services offers free legal aid to low-income residents of Somerville.
Somerville Homeless Coalition offers a variety of emergency response programs, including an adult shelter, a family shelter, a food program and one-on-one case management services. Like SCC, SHC also offers cash assistance to people facing housing emergencies.
Somerville Mental Health Association refers individuals and families to housing specialists, legal aid, and social, health care, mental health and substance abuse services. SMHA also offers cash assistance.
LIFT student advocates work side-by-side with low-income community members to address members' immediate needs and chart a sustainable path out of poverty.
Catholic Charities offers cash assistance for rent and utilities. There is also a food pantry, which is accessible by appointment. For help, contact Tara Anderson at (617) 625-1920.
Salvation Army offers limited cash assistance for rent and utilities debt. For help, contact Julie Baker at (617) 547-3400.
Finding an Apartment for Rent
For general information and help finding affordable housing in Somerville, call SCC at (617) 776-5931 and speak with Stacey Pires, ext. 232 or Matt Shuman, ext. 225. We can help you find an apartment even if SCC does not have units available.
Additionally, we encourage you to sign up for waiting lists for SCC's existing units. If you are interested, please contact Winn Residential at (617) 591-0577. Request to be added to the open waiting lists for any properties for which you may be eligible.
In addition to SCC rental units, the city of Somerville and other Boston-area organizations have many resources available to help people who are looking for affordable housing:
- Visit The Somerville Housing Authority website to learn about different federal and state affordable housing opportunities within Somerville and how to apply.
- Learn about the Massachusetts Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program and how to apply.
- Visit The Accessible Housing Registry to search upcoming housing lotteries.
- Visit the Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership to sign up for Section 8 waiting lists and see apartment listings.
- Visit the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development website to learn about the three different Section 8 Programs, how they work, their eligibility requirements and how to apply.
- Access privately owned and managed low-, moderate- and market-rate units listed by city/town. While developed with Mass Housing's financial support, these units are not managed by Mass Housing. Anyone wishing to apply for these units should contact the appropriate management company listed on the website.
Buying an Affordable Home
SCC does not currently have any housing available for sale.
The City of Somerville website has a complete listing of affordable housing opportunities in Somerville. Resources for locating affordable units in other cities are available through the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance and The Accessible Housing Registry.
To be eligible to buy affordable housing in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you must complete a CHAPA-certified homebuyer education workshop. We recommend completing this workshop as soon as possible to become better informed about the process, allowing sufficient time for establishing credit and arranging the necessary documents. SCC periodically offers these classes in Portuguese and Spanish. Classes are also available through other organizations throughout the region. For more information, call (617) 776-5931 and speak with Thais DeMarco, ext. 233 or Matt Shuman, ext. 225.
If you are interested in receiving information about future homebuyer opportunities through SCC or other Somerville-based programs, please contact Housing Project Manager Courtney Koslow at (617) 776-5931, ext. 237. She will notify you of opportunities to buy affordable housing in Somerville when they arise.