What the Beverly Housing Authority does
The Beverly Housing Authority is a public agency that manages affordable rental housing in Beverly, Massachusetts. It owns and operates public housing developments and administers the Housing Choice Voucher program (formerly called Section 8) for the city. The Authority does not set policy for all of Beverly's housing — it runs specific programs and properties — but it is the main point of contact if you are looking for subsidized rental options in the city.
The Authority operates under state and federal law, which means its programs have rules about income limits, lease terms, and tenant responsibilities. Understanding which program fits your situation and how to move forward with the Authority is the first step toward finding affordable housing in Beverly.
Key Takeaways
- The Beverly Housing Authority runs public housing developments and Housing Choice Vouchers; these are two separate programs with different process processes and wait lists.
- Both programs have income limits based on the area median income, and your household size determines which limit applies to you.
- Wait lists for both programs are often closed, so contacting the Authority directly is the only way to know current status and when you might be able to explore.
- Once you are on a wait list, the Authority will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available; you do not need to reapply repeatedly.
- The Authority's office is located in Beverly and handles applications, lease questions, and maintenance requests for its properties.
Public housing versus Housing Choice Vouchers
The Beverly Housing Authority runs two distinct programs. Public housing means the Authority owns the building and you rent directly from it. The Authority sets the rent based on your income — typically 30 percent of your gross monthly income — and you sign a lease with the Authority as your landlord. Public housing developments in Beverly include family and elderly housing.
Housing Choice Vouchers work differently. The Authority gives you a voucher that covers part of your rent, and you find your own apartment in the private market. You and the landlord sign the lease, and the voucher pays the Authority's portion directly to the landlord. The voucher amount is set by the Authority based on the size of your household and the local rental market, not on your income. You pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent.
Each program has its own wait list. Being on the wait list for public housing does not put you on the voucher wait list, and vice versa. You can explore to both, but you will be tracked separately.
Income limits and household size
Both public housing and vouchers have income limits. The limit depends on your household size and is set as a percentage of the area median income for the Boston metropolitan area. The Authority updates these limits annually, usually in April.
Your household income includes wages, Social Security, child support, unemployment benefits, and other regular income sources. The Authority will ask for recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit letters to verify income. If your income exceeds the limit for your household size, you will not be able to enter either program, though you may be able to reapply in the future if your circumstances change.
The Authority's office can tell you the current income limits for your household size. These limits change year to year, so do not rely on information from more than a few months ago.
How to contact the Beverly Housing Authority
The Beverly Housing Authority's main office is located at 70 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA 01915. You can reach them by phone at (978) 921-6000. The office handles inquiries about both public housing and vouchers, as well as maintenance requests and lease questions for current residents.
When you call or visit, ask whether the wait list for the program you are interested in is open. If it is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen. The Authority may also have information about other housing resources in Beverly if neither of its programs is currently open to new applicants.
Office hours and contact procedures may change, so confirm current information before you visit or call.
The process and wait list process
If the wait list is open, you will complete an process with the Authority. For public housing, you will provide proof of income, identification, and information about your household. For vouchers, the process is similar but may ask additional questions about your work or housing history.
Once your process is accepted, you are placed on the wait list in the order the Authority received it. Wait times vary widely depending on the program and the size of your household. Families with children may have shorter waits than elderly applicants, or vice versa, depending on which units or vouchers become available first.
The Authority will contact you when a unit or voucher is available. You do not need to reapply or check in repeatedly; the Authority maintains the list and reaches out when your turn comes. If your contact information changes, notify the Authority so they can reach you.
Lease terms and tenant responsibilities
If you are offered public housing, you will sign a lease with the Beverly Housing Authority. The lease sets out your responsibilities as a tenant, including keeping the unit in good condition, paying your portion of the rent on time, and following community rules. The Authority can terminate your lease if you violate its terms, such as by engaging in criminal activity or failing to pay rent.
If you receive a voucher, your lease is with the private landlord, not the Authority. However, the Authority must approve the lease and the unit before you can move in. The landlord must agree to accept the voucher and meet the Authority's housing quality standards. Your responsibilities to the landlord are the same as any tenant's, but the voucher program also has rules about how much of your own income you must contribute and what happens if you move.
Both programs require you to report changes in your household — such as a new family member moving in or someone moving out — to the Authority. Failure to report changes can affect your rent or voucher amount and may result in lease violations.
What to do if you are denied or removed from the wait list
If your process is denied, the Authority must tell you why. Common reasons include income above the limit, criminal history, or failure to provide required documents. You have the right to ask for an explanation and to provide additional information if you believe the decision was incorrect.
If you are removed from the wait list — for example, because you did not respond to an offer or your contact information became unreachable — you can reapply if the list reopens. The Authority will place you at the end of the new list.
If you believe the Authority made an error or treated you unfairly, you can file a complaint with the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development or contact a local legal aid organization for guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a unit or voucher after I explore?
Wait times vary widely and depend on your household size, the program, and how many units or vouchers become available. Some people wait months; others wait years. The Authority cannot predict your wait time when you explore, but its office can tell you the current average wait for your household size.
Can I explore if I have a criminal record?
The Authority can deny your process based on criminal history, but it must follow federal guidelines. Certain crimes — such as drug manufacturing — are permanent bars. Other offenses may be considered based on how long ago they occurred and other factors. Contact the Authority to discuss your specific situation.
What if my income increases after I move into public housing?
Your rent will increase as your income increases, but you will not be evicted. The Authority recalculates your rent annually based on your reported income. If your income rises significantly, you may eventually earn too much to stay in public housing, but the Authority will give you notice and time to find other housing.
Can I use my voucher to move to another city?
Housing Choice Vouchers are tied to the Beverly Housing Authority, but you may be able to transfer your voucher to another housing authority if you move. This is called "portability," and the rules vary by program. Contact the Beverly Housing Authority to ask whether your voucher can be ported and what steps are required.
What happens if my landlord refuses to make repairs?
For public housing, contact the Authority's maintenance department directly. For voucher holders, you can report code violations to the City of Beverly's building inspector or contact a legal aid organization. The Authority can also help if the unit fails its housing quality inspection.