How do I apply for Housing in Wayland?
You can download and print an application from the Downloadable Forms tab on this website, request an application in person, by phone, by email, or fax.
How do I know if my household is eligible for Housing?
For elderly housing applicants the age minimum is 62. If you are applying for elderly/disabled housing and are under 62, we require physician verification of disability. For all applicants, the income limits are accessible here. Please note that Wayland criteria can be found by reading the “Boston-Cambridge-Quincy” Area “Low Income” line. Additionally, all applicants are carefully screened through CORI background checks and past landlord references.
What’s the difference between Public Housing and Section 8?
Public Housing is housing owned and operated by the town or city’s housing authority with funding either from DHCD or HUD. Wayland Housing Authority has 111 one-bedroom apartments for elderly and disabled residents with 2 locations to choose from. Bent Park is a 56-unit complex with up-and-down stairs apartments while Cochituate Village is a 55-unit 3-story apartment complex equipped with an elevator. We also own 20 single and multi-family homes, with bedroom sizes ranging between 1 and 5 bedrooms. The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is a program administered by a housing authority (or by other entities such as human service agencies, etc) whereby a household is able to go rent an apartment through the private market in a city or town of their choice. In all instances of our housing assistance, the rent is
based on 30% of a household’s adjusted gross income.
How long is your waitlist?
This is a hard question to answer! For our Bent Park and Cochituate Village waitlists, the wait runs anywhere from 1-4 years, while for our family public housing the wait is much longer (3-5 years). We do give some preference for those families and individuals who live and work in the town of Wayland. For the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Centralized Waitlist, the wait is currently 5+ years.
What will my rent be once I’m a tenant/voucher holder?
All rents are based on 30% of a household’s gross monthly income with allowance for some adjustments. Income includes all wages, social security payments, pensions, etc. Adjustments in the way of medical deductions (for those households who are elderly and/or disabled), child care deductions (for working/school-enrolled families), and for households who pay for utilities such as electricity and/or heat, are factored in to rent calculations.
I am facing homelessness and need something immediately. Can you help me?
Unfortunately, no, we cannot. Housing authorities are simply not equipped to handle emergency situations. It has been rough time for many people and families in our state and the state and federal agencies have been hit just as hard. Our waitlists continue to grow and we have no immediate solutions here at Wayland Housing Authority for those in emergency situations. Households who become homeless ultimately end up staying with friends or family or locating to a shelter. Those who are in a shelter often will be served before those with more permanent housing solutions. This unfortunate reality is why it is so important to be an advocate for increased funding for public- and affordable-housing here in Massachusetts. Please contact your local state representative to let your voice be heard.
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