Housing Resources

Housing Resources
Housing Resources in Western MA
It can be difficult to find help for housing due to the shortage of affordable housing. Check out the services listed below or call the key partner in your region.
Financial Assistance for Housing
Emergency
Housing
Assistance
This includes programs assisting individuals, families, and youth who are homeless or at risk of being homeless, such as the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (
RAFT
program.
Learn about RAFT
Other housing assistance programs
for renters and homeowners. This includes housing vouchers, housing assistance programs for older adults, veterans, refugees, etc., and other housing/financial resources.
Apply
for state-aided public housing and the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP).
If you are a
Mass Health member
, your health plan may include other housing services including housing supplies, repairs and moving costs. Contact your health plan for details.
Immediate Shelter
Shelters
- including options for families, youth and veterans
Domestic violence shelters
Find Affordable Housing
Finding affordable housing is difficult. Follow the steps in
this guide
from the MA Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to search and apply for affordable housing. This guide covers:
Step 1: Know the 3 Main Types of Affordable Rental Housing
Step 2: Understand What Makes You Eligible
Step 3: Start Searching
Step 4: Apply to Private Affordable Housing (Lotteries and Waitlists)
Step 5: Be Patient and Keep Track
Step 6: Get Help If You Need It
You can also try these options to search for affordable housing:
Search on 413Cares
. Use keyword
"affordable housing"
or
"help find housing"
and your zip code.
Search on
MA Housing Navigator tool
Contact your local
Housing Consumer Education Center
for assistance and more housing options.
Maintenance and Repairs
Housing maintenance, repairs, and modification
(including weatherization) - The majority of the services are available for homeowners. Some municipalities have their own repair programs, so you can check with your town about any other options available to you.
Up To Code
will help you find out if your home is safe according to the state sanitary code. It will help you get the repairs that you need.
If you are a
Mass Health member
your health plan may include other housing services including housing supplies, repairs and moving costs. Contact your health plan for details.
Concerns about housing conditions?
Renters can contact their town’s Board of Health or inspectional services about housing conditions.  Also refer to the
legal resources
for rental conditions and fair housing issues.
Utilities and Fuel Assistance
Utilities and Fuel Assistance
You can also apply directly to your local utility and the RAFT program mentioned above can help with utilities as well.
Phone and Digital resources
Find programs that offer devices, affordable internet, and digital skills programs.
Legal Services
The Housing Unit at
Community Legal Aid's Central West Justice Center
provides legal services to help tenants facing eviction, homeowners who are threatened with foreclosure, homeless families who need to access the state’s Emergency Assistance shelter program, and people trying to get into affordable housing. The Unit also runs a housing discrimination testing and enforcement program.
Call
855-CLA-LEGAL
855 252-5342
508-755-3260
TTY/TTD
Review CLA's Tenant Resources in Western MA (
Spanish
If you are appearing in Housing Court on eviction day, their free Lawyer for a Day is present to offer support at each Western MA Housing Court (Springfield, Pittsfield, Hadley, Greenfield).
Lawyers Clearinghouse
The Legal Clinic for the Homeless connects people in need of free legal assistance with volunteer attorneys who can assist them with civil legal matters on a pro bono basis.
Hampden County Bar Association's Lawyer for the Day Program
Volunteer attorneys provide brief out-of-court legal advice on a range of general civil areas including housing issues related to landlord and tenants for Springfield, Longmeadow, and West Springfield residents.
MADE: Massachusetts Defense for Eviction
MADE is a free tool to help tenants defend against an eviction in court. When you finish, you need to print and deliver paperwork to court and to your landlord or their attorney.
Mass Legal Help
Visit Mass Legal Help for information on legal issues related to:
Housing and homelessness
Tenants' rights in private housing
Facing an eviction
Eviction record sealing
MA Fair Housing Center
MFHC provides free legal services to those who have experienced housing discrimination in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, and Worcester Counties.
MA Attorney General's Guide to Landlord and Tenant Rights
Know your rights and responsibilities when creating or signing onto a lease, as well as laws, regulations, and issues related to renting and leasing an apartment.
Landlord Advocacy Project
provides free legal assistance, financial assistance application support, free educational materials and resources, and limited assistance representation to low-income landlords.
Housing Information Centers
Find many housing-related servicers for your area using
this site
Need to talk to someone out housing services?
Contact a Housing Consumer Education Center:
Statewide
Visit your
local Housing Consumer Education Center
listed below
BERKSHIRE
Hearthway
and
Upside 413
(formerly
Berkshire County Regional Housing Authority)
1 Fenn Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201
413-499-1630
x168 or x167
FRANKLIN
Franklin County Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority
241 Millers Falls Road, Turners Falls, MA 01376
413-863-9781
for Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance
413-863-9781
for consumer education center (8:30am to 4 pm)
fcrhra.info@gmail.com
HAMPDEN & HAMPSHIRE
Wayfinders
1780 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103
413-233-1600
housingcenter@wayfindersma.org
Resource Center
Are there important housing programs missing from this page?
Let us know
Not finding what you're looking for? Search for other services
Search for other resources
Connect with key resources in these common areas of need.
Food
Housing
Mental Health
Substance Use
Digital
Legal
Reentry
Immigrants
Older Adults
Mentoring
Veterans
LGBTQIA+
Berkshires
Quaboag Hills
Warming & Cooling Centers
Holiday Resources
Chicopee Food Resources
Convened by The Public Health
Institute of Western Massachusetts
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