The Lowell Housing Authority administers a variety of affordable housing programs through the Office of Public Housing and the Division of Leased Housing Programs. Each of the programs are designed to provide you with housing choice subject to eligibility criteria, and availability. Learn more about your affordable housing options below before applying. If you still have questions regarding affordable housing options or eligibility criteria, we are here to assist you.
Applications are accepted at our Office of Public Housing located at:
89 Appleton Street, Lowell, MA 01852 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm
You may also download our federal application here and mail or hand-deliver to 89 Appleton Street.
FEDERAL PUBLIC HOUSING APPLICATION
For additional information, please contact the Office of Public Housing at 978-364-5361.
Simply click below to get started!
The Lowell Housing Authority’s Federal Public Housing Program offers subsidized housing in the agency’s public housing properties, which are owned, and maintained by the Authority.
Please read the following information carefully before applying as eligibility for each program will vary. Familiarizing yourself with the criteria for this program will assist you in completing an accurate application.
Federal Public Housing Occupancy Standards
HUD Guidelines require the LHA to establish reasonable occupancy standards for the Public Housing Program. The following are the occupancy standards for the LHA’s Public Housing Program.
| UNIT SIZE (minimum #) | PPL IN HOUSE (minimum #) | PPL IN HOUSE (maximum #) |
| 0 Bedroom | 1 | 2 |
| 1 Bedroom | 1 | 2 |
| 2 Bedroom | 2 | 4 |
| 3 Bedroom | 3 | 6 |
| 4 Bedroom | 4 | 8 |
| 5 Bedroom | 5 | 10 |
| 6 Bedroom | 6 | 12 |
Federal Public Housing Income Limits
HUD is required by law to set income limits that determine the eligibility of applicants for HUD’s assisted housing programs. These income limits are published annually and are based on HUD estimates of median income for a particular area or county, adjusted for family size. The LHA income limits for the public housing program are 80% of the median income. Click on the link below to view income limits Income Limits | HUD USER
Federal Public Housing Preferences
The need for public housing in Lowell exceeds the availability of funds for this purpose and a housing unit is a scarce resource which is in great demand. Given these realities, housing is made available to those most in need and reflecting the priorities of the LHA through local preferences, permitted by HUD. HUD also permits the LHA to establish other local preferences at the agency’s discretion. The following are the current preferences, and weights assigned to the preferences established by the LHA for applicant families:
| # | Preference | Weight |
| 1 | Involuntarily displaced from a dwelling unit in the municipality of Lowell by natural disaster, by fire, by unwarranted landlord action and by government action, including capital programs of the LHA | 200 |
| 2 | Working head of household or working spouse, or a person 62 years old or older, or a person unable to work because of the extent of their disability | 185 |
| 3 | A legal resident of Lowell, or a person working in Lowell, or a person with a job offer to work in Lowell | 130 |
| 4 | A victim of domestic violence who has been relocated and as verified by the police | 81 |
| 5 | A veteran as verified by the Department of Veteran Affairs or an individual who has served in any branch of the military and remains in active status | 4 |
| Total Points: 600 |
Federal Public Housing Apply
During the initial application process, when you are called in for a screening, and when you have reached the top of the waiting list, you will be asked to have the following information or documents available for review by the LHA:
**The LHA will be contacting you throughout the application process. Should your contact information change, you are required to notify the Office of Public Housing. If we are unable to contact you, you may risk being removed from our waiting list.
The Lowell Housing Authority offers the convenience of online applications. To complete a secure electronic application please click on the button below to MyHousing, the Lowell Housing Authority’s third-party secure application portal. Once inside the portal, you will be able to complete the application. Before applying, please have all of your necessary documents with you. You will need the social security numbers, names, DOB for all family members, along with the preferences you are selecting. Please set aside at least 20 minutes when you begin the application. The application does not offer the ability to save and resume the application process.
89 Appleton Street, Lowell, MA 01852
What Happens After I Submit My Application?
For both online and in-person applications, you will receive a receipt and confirmation number for future reference throughout the housing process. The Office of Public Housing will review your application for eligibility based on the information provided in the application to determine if the application meets eligibility criteria established by HUD. The Lowell Housing Authority may contact you to request additional information to ensure a complete application.
What If I Am Determined Ineligible for the Waiting List?
If determined ineligible for the waiting list, you will receive a letter indicating the reason for the determination. You may appeal this determination by clarifying or providing additional documentation which supports a change of application status.
What Is My Status on the Waiting List?
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires the LHA to place all families that apply for assistance on a waiting list. When a unit becomes available, the Lowell Housing Authority selects families from the waiting list in accordance with HUD requirements and LHA policies. Your position on the waiting list and the speed for which you will be housed is determined by a number of factors including vacant unit availability, reasonable accommodations identified in your application, and your eligible preferences. Once selected for a spot on the Lowell Housing Authority’s waiting list, you may check your spot on the list at any time by logging in to the Lowell Housing Authority's application portal called MyHousing. If you have already completed an application online, you may register for an account to view your application status, make changes to your application, and contact our public housing office. If you submitted a paper application previously, you may still register for an account. To register, you will be asked to verify your date of birth and entity id or confirmation number. If you require additional assistance, please contact Andrew Rocha at [email protected] or by phone at 978-364-5311.
How Will I Know When I Am Selected from the Waiting List?
The Office of Public Housing will notify the family by mail when it is selected from the waiting list. The notice will include the next steps the family must follow to continue the application process. The LHA has a responsibility to ensure the safety of our residents. Among the next steps is the LHA’s determination that a family will be a suitable resident. The LHA will review any criminal activity that is a threat to the health, safety or property of others. All applicants 17 years of age or older on the application must consent to a criminal background check to further LHA’s commitment to resident health, safety, and security. In addition, proof of citizenship or legal resident status will be required.
What If I Am Determined to Be Ineligible for Public Housing?
Upon successful completion of our screening process, applicants will be contacted for a housing orientation. The housing orientation provides new residents with an LHA policy overview, and exposure to programs and services offered by LHA. Applicants unable to schedule an orientation may contact the office to reschedule the orientation to another date and time which will suit their needs. Applicants determined ineligible for affordable housing programs will receive a letter indicating the reason(s) for an application denial. Applicants may appeal the determination with a letter in writing to the Executive Office for additional consideration. Instructions for the appeal process will be provided in the determination letter.
What Happens When I Am Offered A Unit?
There will be one offer made. If you should refuse a unit because it is not suitable based on a medical condition, you will be asked to provide documentation in order to remain on the list. If there is no documented reason for turning down a unit, your name will be removed from the waiting list. Upon acceptance of the unit, a Resident Orientation will be scheduled. During the Resident Orientation, you will sign the lease for your apartment, be provided with LHA policies, and exposed to the services available to you as a resident of LHA. Welcome to Your New Home!