Stavros
Advocates for Independent Living
Fair and Affordable Housing Resources in Massachusetts
This list contains many--but not all-of the housing related resources in Massachusetts including fair housing enforcement and advocacy, affirmative fair marketing, affordable housing opportunities, housing education and counseling. It was prepared by the MA Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
We recommend visiting the websites of the listed organizations before making any calls so you can familiarize yourself with the mission and services of each agency.
Fair Housing Enforcement
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, Boston Office: (617) 994-6000; Springfield Office: (413) 739-2145; Worcester Office: (508) 799-8010.
Massachusetts Attorney General's Office
AG Office Boston Office: (617) 727-2200; TTY: (617) 727-4765; Springfield Office: (413) 784-1240; New Bedford Office: (508) 990-9700 Worcester Office: (508) 792-7600
Boston Fair Housing Commission
Boston Fair Housing Commission (617) 635-4408
Cambridge Human Rights Commission
Cambridge Human Rights Commission (617) 349-4396
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (202) 708-1112; TTY (202) 708-1455; Boston Regional Office: (617) 994-8200; TTY (617) 565-5453
U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Department of Justice (202) 514-2000
Fair Housing Advocacy and Other Legal Resources
Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston
Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston (617) 399-0491 Serves the communities in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Suffolk counties
Massachusetts Fair Housing Center
Massachusetts Fair Housing Center (413) 539-9796 ext-101 or (800) 675-7309, Serves the communities in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, Berkshire, and Worcester counties.
Disability Law Center of Massachusetts
Disability Law Center of Massachusetts Boston Office: (617) 723-8455/(800) 872-9992; (617) 227-9464/(800) 381-0577 TTY; Western MA Office: (413) 584-6337; (800) 222-5619; TTY (413) 582-6919
Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders
Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders: (617) 426-1350
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (617) 357-0700
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law of the Boston Bar Association, Inc.
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law of the Boston Bar Association, Inc. (617) 482-1145
MassLegalHelp
Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service (866) MASS-LRS
Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Information and Requirements
Department of Housing & Community Development
Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) (617) 573-1100; TTY (617) 573-1140. [Search "Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan Guidelines"]
Affordable Housing Opportunity Listings
Citizens' Housing and Planning Association
Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA)(617) 742-0820. [See the "Search for Accessible/Affordable Housing" link for rental listings and the "Looking for Housing" link for homeownership and rental lottery listings]
Boston Fair Housing Commission: Metrolist
Boston Fair Housing Commission: Metrolist (617) 635-3321. The Metrolist (providing rental housing listings in the Metro Boston area) is also available at 1 City Hall Square, Room 966 Boston, MA 02201
Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance
Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance (MAHA) (617) 822-9100. [See listings of homeownership opportunities
Department of Housing and Community Development
Department of Housing and Community Development 617) 573-1100; TTY (617) 573-1140-Affordable units for sale
Housing Education, Counseling, and Search Assistance
DHCD
Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)(617) 573-1100; TTY (617) 573-1140 [Search "How to Obtain Housing Assistance"]
Massachusetts Housing Consumer Education Centers
Massachusetts Housing Consumer Education Centers Nine regional offices: 800 224-5124
Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership
Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP) (617) 859-0400; (800) 272-0990 (MA only)
Boston Fair Housing Commission
Boston Fair Housing Commission (617) 635-4408
Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (617) 973-8700; Deaf and Hard of Hearing Users (800) 720-3480; Consumer Hotline (617) 973-8787 or (888) 283-3757 (toll free MA only) [Search "Approved Counseling Agencies" (homebuyer counseling) and "Foreclosure Resources"; for rental information, search e.g., "Tenant Rights and Responsibilities" ]
HUD
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (202) 708-1112; TTY (202) 708-1455 [See also http://www.hud.gov/apps/section8 for listings of privately owned housing with HUD subsidy]
Other Resources
Massachusetts Association for Community Action
Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) (617) 357-6086 [Search "Agencies and Services" for information on the 24 Community Action Agencies located across Massachusetts (services include emergency assistance, weatherization assistance, and homelessness prevention)]
Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH)--Statewide Interpreter/CART Referral Service (617) 740-1600; (800) 882-1155; (617) 740-1700 TTY; (800) 530-7570 TTY; Videophone, dial (617) 265-8447 or use the following IP address: 70.22.152.162
Massachusetts Department of Public Health: Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (617) 624-5757; (800) 532-9571
Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (Services include food, job, cash, and domestic violence assistance, as well as emergency shelter) (617) 348-8500
Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs
Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs (617) 727-7750; (800) 882-2003 (MA only); (800) 872-0166 (TTY) See also Massachusetts Aging and Disabilities Information Locator
Massachusetts Office on Disability
Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) (617) 727-7440 or (800) 322-2020 (V/TTY)
MassRelay
MassRelay This service enables telephone communication between hearing people and people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, late deafened, or speech disabled) (800) 439-2370
Massachusetts Statewide Independent Living Council
Massachusetts Statewide Independent Living Council (MASILC)(508) 620-7452 (Voice/TTY); (866) 662-7452 (MA toll free) See listing of Mass Independent Living Centers
University of Massachusetts Translation Center
University of Massachusetts Translation Center provides translation and interpretation services. (413) 545-2203; (877) 77U-MASS