What the Fall River Housing Authority does

The Fall River Housing Authority (FRHA) is a public agency that owns and manages rental housing in Fall River, Massachusetts. It operates public housing developments where tenants pay rent based on their income, typically 30 percent of what they earn. The Authority also administers the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8), which lets tenants rent from private landlords while the program subsidizes part of the rent.

FRHA is not a landlord you call for emergency help or a place to walk in and get when ready housing. It is a housing provider with process processes, waiting lists, and specific rules about who can live in its properties and programs. Understanding how it works — and what it actually offers — helps you figure out whether it is the right resource for your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • Fall River Housing Authority runs public housing developments and administers Section 8 vouchers; both require you to be on a waiting list, which may be closed.
  • Public housing rent is based on your income (usually 30 percent of gross monthly income), not the market rate, and you must meet income limits to live there.
  • Section 8 vouchers let you rent from a private landlord, but the landlord must agree to participate and the unit must pass inspection.
  • You can contact FRHA directly to ask whether waiting lists are open and what documents you need to submit an process.
  • If FRHA waiting lists are closed, your city or county may have emergency rental funds or other housing programs that do not use waiting lists.

Public housing managed by Fall River Housing Authority

FRHA owns and operates public housing developments throughout Fall River. These are apartment buildings or complexes where the Authority is the landlord. Rent is set at 30 percent of your gross monthly household income (or the applicable minimum rent, whichever is higher). This means rent is much lower than market-rate apartments in the area, but it also means your income must fall within federal limits to move in.

To live in FRHA public housing, you must be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status, have no criminal history that disqualifies you under federal rules, and meet the income limits for your household size. Income limits change each year and vary based on family composition. You will need to provide proof of income, identity, and housing history when you explore.

Public housing waiting lists are often closed or have long wait times. You can contact FRHA directly to find out whether the list is currently open and how long the wait typically is. If you are on the waiting list, FRHA will contact you when a unit becomes available that matches your household size.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers

FRHA also administers the Section 8 program, which gives you a voucher that covers part of your rent when you rent from a private landlord. You find your own apartment, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and Section 8 pays the landlord a portion of the rent. You pay the difference (usually 30 percent of your income).

The main advantage of Section 8 over public housing is choice: you are not limited to FRHA-owned buildings. The main disadvantage is that landlords are not required to accept vouchers, so finding a landlord willing to work with the program can take time. The unit must also pass a housing inspection before the voucher can be used.

Like public housing, Section 8 has income limits, waiting lists, and process requirements. The waiting list for Section 8 may be open or closed depending on current demand. You can call FRHA to ask about the status and what you need to bring when you explore.

How to contact Fall River Housing Authority

Fall River Housing Authority is located at 1 Highlands Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720. You can reach them by phone at (508) 675-0361. They are open during regular business hours, and staff can tell you whether waiting lists are open, what the current wait time is, and what documents you need to explore.

When you call or visit, have your Social Security number, proof of income (recent pay stubs or benefit statements), and a photo ID ready. Ask specifically whether the public housing waiting list and the Section 8 waiting list are open. If both are closed, ask whether FRHA knows of other housing resources in Fall River that might be available sooner.

Income limits and rent calculations

FRHA uses federal income limits to determine who can live in public housing or receive a Section 8 voucher. These limits are based on the area median income (AMI) for the Fall River area and vary by household size. A single person has a different limit than a family of four. The limits are updated annually and published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Rent in public housing is calculated as 30 percent of your gross monthly household income, or the minimum rent set by FRHA, whichever is higher. Minimum rent is typically $50 to $75 per month. If your income changes, you must report it to FRHA, and your rent will be recalculated. If your income increases significantly, you may eventually earn too much to stay in public housing.

For Section 8, you also pay 30 percent of your income as rent. The voucher covers the difference between that amount and the actual rent, up to a limit set by HUD (called the payment standard). If the landlord charges more than the payment standard, you pay the extra amount out of pocket.

What happens after you explore

Once you submit an process to FRHA, staff will verify your income, citizenship status, and housing history. They will also run a background check. This process typically takes several weeks. If you are approved, you go on the waiting list. The wait time depends on how many people are ahead of you and how often units become available.

While you are waiting, your circumstances may change. You must report changes in income, household composition, or address to FRHA. If you move out of Fall River or no longer want housing, you can ask to be removed from the list. If you are offered a unit and turn it down, you may lose your place on the list or be moved to the back, depending on FRHA's policy.

For Section 8, once you receive a voucher, you have a limited amount of time (usually 60 days) to find a landlord and a unit. The landlord must agree to participate in the program, and the unit must pass inspection. If you cannot find a unit within the time limit, you may lose the voucher.

When FRHA waiting lists are closed

If FRHA's waiting lists are closed, you have other options. Fall River may have an emergency rental information program run by the city or a local nonprofit. These programs do not use waiting lists and can help with rent arrears or upcoming rent if you meet income and hardship requirements. You can find out about these programs by calling 211 (a free referral line) or contacting the Fall River Department of Housing and Community Development.

You can also look for private rental information programs, nonprofit housing organizations, or faith-based groups in Fall River that offer housing support. Some landlords offer reduced rent or flexible lease terms outside of government programs. While these options are not may provide, they may be faster than waiting for FRHA to reopen its lists.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waiting list for Fall River Housing Authority?

Wait times vary and change frequently. The only way to know is to contact FRHA directly at (508) 675-0361 and ask about the current wait for public housing and Section 8 separately. Some people wait months; others wait years. If the wait is too long for your situation, ask staff about other housing resources in Fall River.

Can I explore for both public housing and Section 8 at the same time?

Yes. The two programs are separate, and you can be on both waiting lists. Some people prefer Section 8 because they have more choice in where to live. Others prefer public housing because the rent is more predictable. You can explore to both and see which one has an opening first.

What if my income is too high for FRHA?

If you earn more than the income limit, you are not may be able to access for public housing or Section 8 through FRHA. You would need to rent on the private market. However, income limits are set fairly high (usually 50 to 80 percent of area median income), so many working people still may have access to. Call FRHA to find out the exact limit for your household size.

Do I have to stay in public housing if my income increases?

No. If your income rises above the limit, FRHA will give you a grace period (usually one year) before you have to move. During that time, your rent will increase as your income increases, but you can stay. After the grace period ends, you must move out or your rent will become unaffordable. This is called "income recertification."

What if a landlord will not accept my Section 8 voucher?

Landlords are allowed to refuse Section 8 vouchers in Massachusetts. If a landlord declines, you can keep looking for another landlord who will accept it. FRHA staff may have a list of landlords in Fall River who participate in the program. If you cannot find a participating landlord within your time limit, you may lose the voucher, though you can reapply when the list opens again.