State-Aided Public Housing
State-Aided Public Housing is overseen and funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
The program provides assistance to low-income families, the elderly, and the disable allowing them to afford decent, safe and sanitary housing. The residential units are in multi-unit buildings and town houses. The units also vary in layouts and bedroom sizes.
The Lawrence Housing Authority offers 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom apartments. The LHA has about 522 units allotted for State-Aided Public Housing. Generally, residents in family public housing pay thirty-two (32) percent of the total household’s monthly adjusted family income with all utilities included. For elderly or disabled public housing, the rent is usually thirty (30) percent of their adjusted family income with all utilities included.
To apply for State-Aided Public Housing, you must use the Common Housing Application for Massachusetts Public Housing (CHAMP).
Applications for State-Aided Public Housing are accepted at the following location:
Lawrence Housing Authority
Department of Occupancy & Admission
353 Elm Street
Lawrence, MA 01841
If you have any questions, please contact our office at 978-683-2751.
Waitlist
Lawrence Housing Authority (LHA) uses a waitlist to administer the State-Aided Public Housing.
Applicants are placed on a waitlist according to the date and time-stamp of receiving the application. Priorities and preferences for which applicants may be eligible will impact waitlist placement. All applications are date and time-stamped when received. The waitlist number for public housing is not a firm number as the waitlists are resorted periodically. Applicants from the top of the waitlist will be screened for eligibility when a residential unit becomes available.
Preference
Local Preference
Applicants whose head or spouse resides in the City of Lawrence, Massachusetts. An applicant who works or has been hired to work in the City of Lawrence, Massachusetts. The applicant requesting this local preference is required to provide the LHA with verification of residency or of employment or hire in the City of Lawrence, Massachusetts. This verification may be based on any one or all of the following documents, which includes, but is not limited to: rent receipts, utility bills, addressed mail, employment checks, and third-party employment certifications. The LHA may require a home visit by the HQS Inspector or the Tenant Investigator to verify an applicant’s residency, and the LHA may require a visit to the employer or employment site by the HQS Inspector or the Tenant Investigator to verify an applicant’s employment or location of hire.
Veteran Preference
An applicant requesting this preference is required to supply the LHA with a copy of his/her DD-214 form or a verification from a veteran’s agency or that of a deceased family member.
Income Limits
DHCD issues income limits based upon the income limits published annually by HUD. The family’s income must be within the income limits of LHA’s jurisdiction at the time the family receives a voucher to search for housing. Income limits only apply at the time of admission and are not a factor in ongoing program eligibility.
| 1 Person | 2 People | 3 People | 4 People | 5 People | 6 People | 7 People | 8 People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very Low (50%) Income Limits | $54,900 | $62,750 | $70,600 | $78,400 | $84,700 | $90,950 | $97,250 | $103,500 |
Criminal History
The LHA conducts criminal background checks on all applicants. Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) checks will only be conducted as authorized by the DCJIS and MGL c. 6 §172. All applicants will be notified that a CORI check will be conducted. All CORI obtained from the DCJIS is confidential. Unless otherwise provided by law, a criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant. Rather, determinations of suitability based on background checks will be made consistent with LHA policy and any applicable laws or regulations.
Appeal Policy
If you disagree with the Authority’s decision, you may request a private conference to discuss the reasons for the Authority’s determination and to permit consideration of all pertinent information for a new determination.
You are entitled to be represented at the private conference by an attorney or other person of your choice at your own expense. You have the right to examine your file before the private conference. To request a private conference, you must submit a request in writing within 20 days of mailing of this notice. The written request must be delivered or mailed to the Housing Authority within the 20-day period.
All requests for appeals should be sent to the Department of Occupancy and Admission. Also, if you or anyone in your family is a person with disabilities and you require a specific accommodation in order to fully utilize our programs and services, please contact Datanis Elias at the Lawrence Housing Authority.
If you have any questions, our office contact information is: Lawrence Housing Authority, Department of Occupancy & Admission, 353 Elm Street, Lawrence, MA 01841 or by phone at 978-683-2751.
