Skip to main content
Front Door
Massachusetts

All kinds of help

Housing

Help paying rent, finding a safe place to stay, and keeping the heat and power on. Your state and local housing authorities run rent help and housing vouchers. Your state also runs help with energy bills. If you have nowhere to stay tonight, call 211.Help in Massachusetts and from the federal government.

Ask about it

Tell us more about what you need. We answer first, then show the programs that fit, then ask a few questions to narrow it down.

Programs in Massachusetts

Massachusetts programs for this kind of help. Each agency decides who qualifies.

  • Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities

    RAFT

    Also: State Public Housing and Rental Vouchers

    RAFT provides short-term financial help to eligible households facing housing instability.

    Ways to apply:OnlinePaperIn person

    Apply online Agency pageCall 617-573-1100

  • Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities

    Emergency Assistance Family Shelter

    Also: HomeBASE

    Emergency Assistance provides eligible families with shelter and related support when they have no safe place to stay.

    Ways to apply:OnlinePhoneIn person

    Apply online Agency pageCall 617-573-1100

  • Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency

    MassHousing homebuyer and housing programs

    MassHousing offers financing programs that support affordable homeownership and housing in Massachusetts.

    Ways to apply:OnlinePhone

    Apply online Agency pageCall 888-843-6432

  • Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities

    Home Energy Assistance Program

    In Massachusetts, LIHEAP is called HEAP.

    HEAP helps eligible households pay heating bills and manage energy costs.

    Ways to apply:OnlineIn person

    Apply online Agency pageCall 617-573-1100

  • Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities

    Weatherization Assistance Program

    Weatherization provides eligible households with home energy improvements to reduce energy use.

    Ways to apply:OnlineIn person

    Apply online Agency pageCall 617-573-1100

Checked on October 8, 2026

Community action agencies in Massachusetts

Local nonprofits that help people with low incomes. Many help with energy bills, rent, jobs and taxes. Call to ask what they offer now.

Federal programs

These work the same in every state. Each agency decides who qualifies.

  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

    Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

    Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.

    Apply through your local public housing authority. HUD lists every housing authority by state.

    Find your housing authority Official page

  • Federal Communications Commission

    Lifeline phone and internet discount

    A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.

    Check if you qualify and apply on the National Verifier, then pick a phone or internet company that offers Lifeline.

    Apply on the National Verifier Official pageCall 1-800-234-9473

  • Federal Emergency Management Agency

    FEMA disaster assistance

    Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.

    Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by phone, or in person at a Disaster Recovery Center.

    Apply on DisasterAssistance.gov Call 1-800-621-3362

Checked on October 9, 2026

Talk to a person