Local Information for Massachusetts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is found in the region of New England, which is situated in the northeastern part of the United States. It is divided into two metropolitan areas, namely Greater Boston and Springfield Metropolitan Area. Massachusetts follows the New England Town local government structure. It is governed by a town meeting legislative body.

Named after an Algonquian Indian word that means a big hill place, Massachusetts is the home of several important personalities, including US Presidents John Adams, John Quincy Adams, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and George H.W. Bush. Living in Massachusetts can also bring you face-to-face with actors like Actors Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, James Spader, and Uma Thurman, who were all born in the Bay State.

But Massachusetts is not just about Presidents and celebrities. It is also about arts and culture (the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops Orchestra, Boston Ballet, and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts), recreation (hiking trails, sailing, yachting, deep-sea fishing, and skiing), and quality education (Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology).

Boston, the state’s capital, is also the largest city. It is the home of the United States’ oldest public park, the Boston Common. It boasts of over 100 colleges and universities, including the Boston University. Another city, Cambridge, is known for two of the world’s best educational institutions – the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or MIT, and Harvard University. The city of Salem, meanwhile, was recently recognized by President Barack Obama as the U.S. National Guard’s birthplace.

Affordable Housing in Massachusetts

If you are thinking of relocating your family to Massachusetts, there are several options available for you. The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) helps Massachusetts residents find information about low and moderate housing options. Several agencies and organizations provide assistance in finding low cost subsidized housing for those who cannot afford the market rate.

Massachusetts has a state aided public housing program, intended for families, disabled residents, and the elderly. Certain eligibility requirements are considered and the guidelines are different from one region to another, so it is important to get detailed information from the housing authority.

The non-profit site Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance or MAHA aims to educate home buyers, especially those from low to middle income families.

If you plan to build a home in Boston, the Boston Housing Authority will assist you with all your affordable housing needs. In Cambridge, affordable housing for low income families, the elderly, and the disabled are available through the Cambridge Housing Authority. Salem, on the other hand, offers affordable housing options for the elderly, handicapped, and for families living on low incomes through the Salem Housing Authority.

Rental Assistance in Massachusetts

Massachusetts strictly implements the Section 8 Housing federal assistance programs for low income residents. Using Section 8 rental vouchers, these residents will be able to pay their rent. Also known as the Housing Choice Voucher Program, Section 8 helps Massachusetts residents manage their mortgage loans and ensure low rentals in some private housing developments.

With the Section 8 voucher, families in Massachusetts can choose the home or apartment they want to move in to. They won’t have to worry about costs because with the voucher, they need to use only 30% of their income for the payment of the housing unit and the government (through Section 8) will take care of the rest.

So if you’re set on bringing your family to Massachusetts, get in touch with the DHCD or MAHA to find out what options are available to you. You can also go online and find good rental housing deals in Massachusetts. These online sites will provide you with all the information you need, view floor plans, compare amenities, and check prices.