What the Malden Housing Authority Does

The Malden Housing Authority (MHA) is a public agency that owns and manages affordable rental housing in Malden, Massachusetts. It does not process Section 8 vouchers for the entire state — that is handled by individual housing authorities in each city and town. The MHA directly operates public housing units and maintains its own waiting list for people who want to rent from them.

The Authority's main job is to own buildings, collect rent, maintain units, and decide who gets to live in them. If you want to rent an MHA apartment, you go through their intake process, not a state office. If you are looking for a Section 8 voucher to use at a private landlord's property anywhere in Massachusetts, you still need to contact the Malden Housing Authority if you live in Malden — but that is a separate program with its own waiting list and rules.

Key Takeaways

  • The Malden Housing Authority owns and rents its own apartments; you explore directly to them, not to a state agency.
  • MHA maintains two separate waiting lists: one for public housing units and one for Section 8 vouchers.
  • Income limits, rent amounts, and current openings vary by building and unit type; you must contact MHA directly to learn what is available now.
  • The MHA office is located in Malden and handles all applications in person or by mail; there is no online portal for initial intake.

How to Contact the Malden Housing Authority

The main office is at 200 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148. You can reach them by phone at (781) 322-1460. Office hours and current contact methods change, so call first to confirm whether you can visit in person or whether you need to request an process by mail.

When you call, have ready the names and ages of everyone in your household, your current address, and your approximate monthly income. The staff can tell you whether there are current openings, what the income limits are for those units, and what documents you will need to bring or mail in.

Public Housing Units: How the Waiting List Works

If you want to rent an apartment that the MHA owns directly, you go on their public housing waiting list. The list is not first-come, first-served in the way most people think. The MHA uses a preference system that prioritizes certain households — typically those with very low income, those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, or those with disabilities. The exact preferences change based on federal rules and local policy.

Your position on the list depends on when you applied and what preference category you fall into, if any. Even if you are first on the list, there may be no units available for months or years. The MHA will contact you when a unit matching your family size becomes available and you meet the income and background requirements for that specific building.

You cannot choose which building or neighborhood you want. The MHA assigns you to the next available unit in a building where you are may be able to access. If you turn down a unit, you may lose your place on the list or move to the bottom, depending on MHA policy at that time.

Section 8 Vouchers Through Malden Housing Authority

The MHA also administers Section 8 vouchers for Malden residents. A Section 8 voucher lets you rent from a private landlord and the program pays part of your rent directly to them. Unlike public housing, you choose the apartment and landlord — the landlord must agree to participate in the program and the unit must pass inspection.

The Section 8 waiting list is separate from the public housing list. It is also typically very long and may be closed to new applications. Call the MHA to find out whether the Section 8 list is currently open. If it is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen and whether you can get on a notification list.

If you receive a Section 8 voucher, you pay a portion of the rent (usually 30 percent of your income) and the program pays the rest, up to a limit set by the federal government. You must recertify your income and household composition every year to keep the voucher.

Income Limits and Rent You Will Pay

Income limits for MHA housing vary by unit size and building. A one-bedroom unit may have a different income ceiling than a three-bedroom. The MHA also distinguishes between extremely low income (30 percent of area median income), very low income (50 percent), and low income (80 percent). Different buildings may serve different income bands.

Your rent is typically 30 percent of your gross monthly income, with a minimum rent set by the MHA (often $50 to $100 per month). If your income is very low, your rent will be very low. If your income rises, your rent rises. You will have a lease and can stay as long as you follow the lease terms and your income stays within the program limits.

Call the MHA office to ask about the current income limits for the unit sizes you need. Do not assume limits from previous years — they change annually based on federal calculations.

Documents You Will Need

The MHA will ask for proof of identity, proof of income, and proof of residency in Malden. Proof of income usually means recent pay stubs, a letter from your employer, or tax returns. If you are unemployed, you may need to show unemployment benefits paperwork or a statement from a social service agency. If you receive Social Security, bring a recent benefit statement.

You will also need to provide information about everyone in your household, including children. The MHA will run a background check and may contact previous landlords. If you have an eviction history or criminal record, you are not automatically disqualified, but the MHA will review the details and make a decision based on their policies.

Bring or mail originals or certified copies — photocopies are usually not accepted. Ask the MHA which documents they prefer and in what format before you submit them.

What Happens After You explore

After you submit an process, the MHA will verify your information. This can take several weeks. They will contact you if they need more documents or if they have questions about your process. Do not assume silence means approval — follow up by phone if you have not heard back after four weeks.

If you are found to be over the income limit or if the background check disqualifies you under MHA policy, you will receive a written notice explaining the reason. You have the right to request a hearing to dispute the decision if you believe the information is wrong.

If you are approved, the MHA will place you on the waiting list at the priority level you may have access to for. You will wait for a unit to become available. The wait can be months or years depending on the demand and the number of units available.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waiting list for Malden Housing Authority apartments?

The wait time varies widely depending on the unit size you need and your preference category. Some people wait one to two years; others wait much longer. Call the MHA directly — they can tell you the current average wait for the size unit you are looking for.

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

Yes. The two programs have separate waiting lists and separate rules. You can be on both lists at once. If you are offered a unit through one program, you can accept it and ask to be removed from the other list.

What if I was denied housing by the MHA and want to appeal?

You have the right to a hearing if you are denied. The denial letter will explain how to request one. You can bring documents or a representative to the hearing to explain your situation. Contact the MHA office to ask for the hearing request form and important date.

Do I have to live in Malden to explore to the Malden Housing Authority?

You must be a Malden resident or have a job in Malden to be on the waiting list. Some programs prioritize current Malden residents. Call the MHA to confirm the residency rules that explore to the program you are interested in.

What if my income goes up after I move into an MHA apartment?

Your rent will increase to 30 percent of your new income. You will report the income change during your annual recertification. Your rent adjustment will happen on your lease renewal date. You can stay in the unit as long as your income does not exceed the program limit for that building.