What the New Bedford Housing Authority does

The New Bedford Housing Authority (NBHA) is a public agency that owns and manages rental housing in New Bedford, Massachusetts. It operates public housing developments where tenants pay rent based on their income — typically 30 percent of what they earn — rather than market rate. The Authority also administers the Housing Choice Voucher program, sometimes called Section 8, which lets people rent from private landlords while the Authority pays part of the rent directly to the owner.

The NBHA is not a landlord for all rental housing in New Bedford. It manages specific developments and a voucher program. If you live in private rental housing not connected to the Authority, you would contact your actual landlord or property manager about lease issues, repairs, or rent disputes.

Key Takeaways

  • The New Bedford Housing Authority runs public housing developments where rent is based on your income, usually 30 percent of what you earn.
  • The Authority also manages Housing Choice Vouchers that let you rent from private landlords while the Authority pays part of your rent to the owner.
  • To reach NBHA about your lease, repairs, or rent questions, contact them directly — they are your landlord only if you live in one of their developments or hold one of their vouchers.
  • Income limits and waiting lists explore to both public housing and voucher programs, and both have long wait times in most Massachusetts communities.
  • If you have a repair problem in NBHA housing, report it to the Authority's maintenance line; if you have a dispute, the Authority has a grievance process.

Public housing developments run by NBHA

The New Bedford Housing Authority owns and operates several residential developments in the city. These are apartment complexes where the Authority is your landlord. Rent in these developments is calculated as 30 percent of your gross monthly income, with a minimum rent that varies by development. This means your rent payment changes if your income changes.

To move into NBHA public housing, you must meet income limits set by the federal government. These limits change yearly and depend on family size. You also go on a waiting list, which can be years long depending on the development and the current demand. The Authority prioritizes applicants based on factors like homelessness, living in unsafe housing, or displacement due to disaster.

Once you are a tenant in NBHA housing, the Authority is responsible for maintenance and repairs. You have the right to a safe, habitable unit. If something breaks — plumbing, heat, appliances — you report it to the Authority's maintenance department. The Authority has a grievance process if you disagree with a decision they make about your lease or housing conditions.

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

The Housing Choice Voucher program lets you find a rental unit from any private landlord in the New Bedford area and pay a portion of the rent yourself while the Authority pays the rest directly to the landlord. The amount the Authority pays depends on the size of the unit and the local fair market rent. You pay the difference, which is typically 30 percent of your income.

To hold a voucher, you must meet income limits and be on the Authority's waiting list. The waiting list for vouchers is often closed in New Bedford because demand is high. When it opens, the Authority announces it publicly. Once you receive a voucher, you have a limited time to find a landlord who will accept it. Not all landlords participate, so you may need to contact multiple properties.

The landlord you choose must agree to rent to you and accept the voucher. The unit must pass a housing inspection by the Authority to make sure it meets safety and quality standards. Once approved, the Authority pays the landlord their portion of the rent each month, and you pay your share.

How to contact the New Bedford Housing Authority

The New Bedford Housing Authority's main office is located at 1 Cove Street, New Bedford, MA 02740. You can reach them by phone at (508) 996-8600. They have separate departments for public housing, voucher programs, and maintenance requests, so be ready to explain what you need when you call.

If you want to learn about waiting lists for either public housing or vouchers, call the Authority directly. They can tell you whether the list is open, what the current wait time is, and what documents you need to bring. If you are already a tenant or voucher holder and have a maintenance emergency, ask for the emergency maintenance line — response times vary depending on the severity of the problem.

Tenant rights and the grievance process

As a tenant in NBHA housing or as a voucher holder, you have rights under federal housing law and Massachusetts state law. The Authority cannot evict you without cause, and cause must be documented. Common causes include non-payment of rent, lease violations, or criminal activity. The Authority must follow proper notice and court procedures before removing you.

If you disagree with an Authority decision — about rent calculation, a maintenance denial, a lease violation charge, or an eviction notice — you have the right to file a grievance. The grievance process is informal at first: you meet with an Authority representative to discuss the issue. If you are not satisfied, you can request a hearing before a hearing officer who is not employed by the Authority. This hearing is your chance to present your side of the story.

You also have the right to repairs. If the Authority does not make necessary repairs within a reasonable time, you may have the right to withhold rent, repair and deduct, or break your lease depending on Massachusetts law. Before you take any of these steps, document the problem with photos and dates, and give the Authority written notice of the repair need.

Income recertification and rent changes

If you live in NBHA public housing or hold a voucher, your income is recertified once a year. This means you report your current income, and the Authority recalculates your rent based on what you earn now. If your income goes up, your rent goes up. If your income goes down, your rent goes down. You must report changes in income, household size, or employment status to the Authority within 30 days.

Recertification is not optional. If you do not complete it, the Authority may terminate your lease or voucher. The Authority will send you a notice with the date and time of your recertification appointment. If you cannot make that appointment, contact them when ready to reschedule. Bring recent pay stubs, tax returns, or other proof of income.

What happens if you cannot pay rent

If you fall behind on rent in NBHA housing, the Authority can begin eviction proceedings. However, the Authority must give you written notice and time to pay before filing in court. Massachusetts law requires at least 14 days' notice. If you receive an eviction notice, contact the Authority when ready to discuss a payment plan or to explain a hardship.

If you hold a voucher and cannot pay your portion of the rent, your landlord can evict you just as they would any tenant. The Authority's voucher payment to the landlord does not protect you from eviction for non-payment of your share. If you are facing hardship, contact the Authority to discuss whether your rent calculation can be adjusted or whether you can temporarily reduce your voucher amount.

New Bedford and Massachusetts may have emergency rental information programs available during times of hardship. These are separate from the Housing Authority. Contact 211 Massachusetts or your local city government to learn whether funds are currently open.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waiting list for NBHA public housing?

Wait times vary by development and change over time. Some developments have waits of several years; others may be shorter. Call the Authority at (508) 996-8600 to ask about the current wait for the specific development you are interested in. They can also tell you whether your process qualifies for priority status.

Can I use my voucher to rent anywhere in New Bedford?

You can rent any unit in the New Bedford area as long as the rent does not exceed the fair market rent limit set by the Authority for that size unit, and the landlord agrees to accept the voucher. Not all landlords participate in the program. You must also pass a background check, and the unit must pass the Authority's housing inspection.

What do I do if my landlord (the NBHA) will not make repairs?

Document the problem with photos and dates, and send the Authority written notice of the repair need. Follow up by phone if you do not see action within a reasonable time. If the Authority still does not repair, you can file a grievance. You may also have the right to withhold rent or repair and deduct under Massachusetts law, but consult a legal aid organization before taking these steps.

What if I disagree with how the Authority calculated my rent?

Ask the Authority to explain the calculation in writing. If you believe it is wrong, file a grievance. Bring recent pay stubs, tax returns, and any other documents that show your actual income. The hearing officer will review whether the Authority followed the rules correctly.

Can the NBHA evict me without going to court?

No. The Authority must give you written notice, allow time to cure the problem or pay rent owed, and then file in Housing Court. You have the right to appear in court and defend yourself. If you receive an eviction notice, contact a legal aid organization or the Authority's grievance office when ready.