West Springfield Housing Authority

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

What are Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers?

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) is the federal government’s major program for assisting very low to low income families, the elderly, and the disabled to rent decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private market. Since the housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find and rent privately owned housing, including single-family homes, condominiums, and apartments. The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program.

Housing Choice Vouchers are administered locally by public housing agencies, such as West Springfield Housing Authority (WSHA). The WSHA receives federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program. A family that is issued a voucher is responsible for finding and selecting suitable housing of the family’s choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by the WSHA. A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the WSHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.

Housing Vouchers and how they work

When an applicant has been selected from the waiting list and has been determined to be eligible to participate on the program, he or she will be notified by the WSHA and told to come in for a Briefing Session. At the Briefing, you will be issued your voucher, and all of the rules and procedures about locating and leasing a unit will be explained to you. Applicants will be asked to update their income and housing status at this time to verify if either your household income or family composition has changed since your initial review.

Once the voucher is issued, the individual has a maximum of (120) days to find a unit that meets the program guidelines. If a unit is not found during the established time period, the voucher expires and is then issued to the next eligible household on the wait list.

To Apply for Section 8

Applications are available either through the West Springfield Housing Authority office, or you can login to Mass NAHRO Section 8 Centralized Waiting List to fill out a preliminary application.

Income Limits:

1 Person: $29,150
2 Person: $33,300
3 Person: $37,450
4 Person: $41,600
5 Person: $44,950
6 Person: $48,350
7 Person: $51,600
8 Person: $54,950

MA Rental Voucher Program

What is the MRVP Programs?

The Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) is a state-funded rent assistance programs through the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities for low-income Massachusetts residents. The MRVP is a rent vouchers: "mobile" tenant-based voucher that allow tenants to choose their own apartments.

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) administers the MRVP programs. West Springfield Housing Authority administers this programs.

Applications for the MRVP program can be obtained through the West Springfield Housing Authority or can be obtained by contacting the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities @ mass.gov or calling (617) 573-1150.

CONTACT US

37 Oxford Place, West Springfield, MA. 01089

Kirk Jasko, Executive Director

413-788-0988 ext 102

kirk@wsha37.org

Lynn Libby, Section 8 coordinator

413-788-0988 ext 100

llibby@wsha37.org

Sabrina Moran, MRVP Coordinator/State Program Coordinator

413-788-0988 ext 104

smoran@wsha37.org

Marilyn Felix, Program Manager

413-788-0988 ext 103

marilyn@wsha37.org

Tim Donnelly, Finance/Payroll

413-788-0988 ext 105

tim@wsha37.org

Edward Jackson, Jr., Operations Manager

413-788-0988 ext 101

ed@wsha37.org

THE BOARD

The West Springfield Housing Authority Board of Commissioners meet the third Wednesday of every month. Meetings are held at 37 Oxford Place, Oxford Place Community Hall at 5 p.m. If there is a change of schedule or venue it would be posted at town hall.

Darlene Dallas - Chairperson
Norman Woods - Treasurer
Annmary Murray - Vice Chairman
Frank Schutt - Member

Public housing

Elderly and Handicapped Low-Income Housing

The elderly/handicapped housing program (Chapter 667) provides housing for qualified low-income elderly and handicapped persons, as defined in Massachusetts General Law Chapter 121B.

Family Low-Income Housing

The family housing program (Chapter 200 and Chapter 705) is a state-funded program that aims to provide housing for low-income families in the Town of West Springfield.

West Springfield Residents will receive preference when applying.

How it works:

Households seeking public housing assistance must apply for housing in the community in which they are interested in living. Each local housing authority (LHA) issues its own application for the housing it manages. Applications are available by calling or visiting a local housing authority, or by using the forms available on the DHCD website. There is no limit to the number of LHAs to which a household can apply.

Income Limits:

1 Person: $46,000
2 Person: $52,600
3 Person: $59,150
4 Person: $65,700
5 Person: $71,000
6 Person: $76,250
7 Person: $81,500
8 Person: $86,750

Local Preference:

In addition to receiving local preference for the City or Town where you principally reside, you may receive local preference based on where you are employed.

a. (Only for Family Housing) You may apply for Veteran Preference if you are a Veteran, the spouse, surviving spouse, dependent parent or child, or divorced spouse with a dependent child of a Veteran.

b. (Only for Elderly/Handicapped Housing) You may apply for Veteran Preference if you are a Veteran who resides in the City or Town.

Property Locations

Oxford Place

Oxford Place Apartments is Chapter 667 state-aided public housing for applicants 60 years or older, or disabled persons under 60. The property is located on Oxford Place, West Springfield, MA. It is an Elderly/Disabled property consisting of (100) apartments, (94) one-bedroom apartments and (6) two bedrooms, in (9) separate two-story buildings. Six apartments are wheel-chair accessible. A percentage of apartments are set aside for residents that are non-elderly disabled. There are no elevators to the 2nd floors. Pets are allowed (subject to the pet policy). In addition, there is on-site mail, laundry, garbage pick-up, and resident parking. A spacious community room serves as a meeting room, television area, function hall, and friendly gathering place. Rent is set at (30%) of household income, and all utilities (except telephone and cable) are included in the rent, which is based on household income. West Springfield residents will receive a resident preference when applying. See income limits.

Grove Village

Grove Village Apartments is Chapter 667 state-aided public housing for applicants 60 years or older, or disabled persons under 60. The property is located on Grove Street and Druids Lane, West Springfield, MA. It is an Elderly/Disabled property consisting of (74) one-bedroom apartments in (9) separate two-story buildings. There are no wheel-chair accessible units in this development. A percentage of apartments are set aside for residents that are non-elderly disabled. There is no elevator to the 2nd floor. Pets are allowed (subject to the pet policy). In addition, there is on-site mail, laundry, garbage pick-up, and resident parking. A spacious community room serves as a meeting room, television area, function hall, and friendly gathering place. Rent is set at (30%) of household income, and all utilities (except telephone and cable) are included in the rent, which is based on household income. West Springfield residents will receive a resident preference when applying. See income limits.

Paul Flak/Lee Lang Terrace

Lee Lang Terrace Apartments is Chapter 667 state-aided public housing for applicants 60 years or older, or disabled persons under 60. The property is located on Lee Lang Terrace, West Springfield, MA. It is an Elderly/Disabled property consisting of (48) one-bedroom apartments in (12) separate one-story buildings. There are no wheel-chair accessible in this development. A percentage of apartments are set aside for residents that are non-elderly disabled. Pets are allowed (subject to the pet policy). In addition, there is on-site mail, laundry, garbage pick-up, and resident parking. A spacious community room serves as a meeting room, television area, function hall and friendly gathering place. Rent is set at (30%) of household income and all utilities (except telephone and cable) are included in the rent, which is based on household income. West Springfield residents will receive a resident preference when applying. See income limits.

Main Street Apartments

Main Street Apartments is state-aided public housing for applicants 60 years or older, or disabled persons under 60. Main Street Apartments is located at 767 Main Street, West Springfield, MA. A Chapter 667 Elderly/Disabled property contains (22) one-bedroom apartments in a three-story building with elevator access. Two apartments are wheel-chair accessible. A percentage of apartments are set aside for residents that are non-elderly disabled. Pets are allowed(subject to the pet policy). In addition, there is on-site mail, laundry, garbage pick-up, and resident parking. A spacious community room serves as a meeting room, television area, function hall, and friendly gathering place. Rent is set at (30%) of household income, and all utilities (except telephone and cable) are included in the rent, which is based on household income. West Springfield residents will receive a resident preference when applying. See income limits.

Birch Park Circle

Birch Park Circle is State-aided Family Public Housing. The property contains (45) separate one and two-story duplex units with (46) two bedroom and (42) three-bedrooms. Four apartments are wheelchair accessible. Pets are allowed (subject to pet policy). There is laundry hook-up in the basement of each unit. There is garbage pick-up and onsite resident parking as well as mail delivery. Rent is set at (27%) of household income, and residents pay all utilities. West Springfield residents will receive preference when applying. See income limits.

Birch Park YMCA Program

The West Springfield Housing Authority in collaboration with the YMCA, operates the Birch Park Circle Youth Center, providing after-school, evening, weekend and summer enrichment programs to the youths, teens and families of Birch Park Circle. An eight week summer program is also offered, providing youths and teens various activities, while providing a free nutritious lunch to participants. For further information, contact Chris Kaufmann, Center Director, at 413.739.6597, or at ckaufmann@springfieldy.org.

Scattered Site Family Housing

Elm Street

This is Chapter 705 State-aided Family Public Housing. The property contains one two-story duplex unit with two bedrooms. Pets are allowed (subject to pet policy). There is laundry hook-up in the basement of each unit. There is garbage pick-up and onsite resident parking, as well as mail delivery. Rent is set at (27%) of household income and residents pay all utilities. West Springfield Residents will receive preference when applying. See income limits.

Guy Place

This is a Chapter 705 State-aided Family Public Housing. The property contains one two-story duplex unit with three bedrooms. Pets are allowed (subject to pet policy). There is laundry hook-up in the basement of each unit. There is garbage pick-up and onsite resident parking, as well as mail delivery. Rent is set at (27%) of household income and residents pay all utilities. West Springfield Residents will receive preference when applying. See income limits.

Main Street

This is a Chapter 705 State-aided Family Public Housing. The property contains one three-story duplex unit with three bedrooms, and (3) one-story units with three bedrooms. Pets are allowed (subject to the pet policy). There is laundry hook-up in the basement of each unit. There is garbage pick-up and onsite resident parking, as well as mail delivery. Rent is set at (27%) of household income and residents pay all utilities. West Springfield Residents will receive preference when applying. See income limits.