How long is the Massachusetts Centralized Section 8 waiting list? (Boston: rental, homes)

[brightdoglover]

Right or wrong, I'm pretty sure that single people without children aren't much considered.

[blueflames50]

Originally Posted by Doug1991

I applied the day I turned 18 in 2009, and they sent me a receipt back saying that the wait list is 4-6 years. Now that more people have applied, is the wait list longer for me? or is the wait list for me still 4-6 years from 2009, so that would be anytime between 2013 and 2015.

Doug I cannot DM you due to your security settings ....if you are SSDI..call the Shine program for help...Section 8 has nothing to do with what you have mentioned. but you do have to wait for a voucher to become available...which usually is not too long...

[MahomelessMom]

Homeless MA mom of two one disabled and another on the way I have applied to a lot of towns and sec 8 and still am waiting it's like a lottery some people just get lucky if anyone has any good advice besides go get an amazing job loser that would b appreciated

[miu]

I read a few weeks ago, that in Massachusetts there are 95,000 on the waiting list for Section 8 vouchers...

[495neighbor]

Someone I know who needed to apply told me it is a ten year wait in the towns they applied to.

[tribechamy]

Originally Posted by ipoetry

The day you turned 18? Shouldn't you have applied for college or vocation school? I mean... Section 8 is there for families who find themselves in trouble but right out of the gate??? At 18 you should be able to work 2 or 3 jobs, whatever it takes.

OP may be one of the many teens who have aged out of foster care and are on their own with no support.

[miu]

Originally Posted by tribechamy

OP may be one of the many teens who have aged out of foster care and are on their own with no support.

Why should an eighteen year old need their own apartment or studio? They just need to find an apartment or room share situation and a job.

Anyway, Section 8 is more skewed towards adults with minor children. And just because someone qualifies for a help program, doesn't mean that they have to apply for those benefits. I think that people like that should first try very hard to make it without government handouts. There's a much better chance of success in life when one doesn't reach for those crutches first. Too many are addictive to getting those handouts and only put minimal effort into life for fear of losing those free handouts.

[tribechamy]

Originally Posted by miu

Why should an eighteen year old need their own apartment or studio? They just need to find an apartment or room share situation and a job.

By no support I mean no support: consider that, no family, no stability, few dependable adults in their lives, and for sure no real financial support. Have you ever dealt with that? I haven't but know those who have. It's a raw hand to be dealt at the start of adulthood and more than a few kids (and honestly, they're still just kids) who age out of the system end up homeless.

I have no idea if this is the OP's situation, but I'm just saying, let's show some compassion and lay off the bootstraps kind of talk, the OP asked a specific question, maybe let's skip the judgmental unsolicited advice.

[miu]

Originally Posted by tribechamy

By no support I mean no support: consider that, no family, no stability, few dependable adults in their lives, and for sure no real financial support. Have you ever dealt with that? I haven't but know those who have. It's a raw hand to be dealt at the start of adulthood and more than a few kids (and honestly, they're still just kids) who age out of the system end up homeless.

When I first got out of college, I moved to Cambridge. My first job was a minimum wage job at a record store. And I found a shared apartment situation with complete strangers through the Boston Phoenix. And my next living situations were the same. No biggie.

I have no idea if this is the OP's situation, but I'm just saying, let's show some compassion and lay off the bootstraps kind of talk, the OP asked a specific question, maybe let's skip the judgmental unsolicited advice.

Yes, the OP asked a question... however some details about their particular situation would indeed be very helpful in trying to answer it. Again, the Section 8 system is much more supportive of adults with underage children and not very supportive for single adults with no minors.

[in_newengland]

Originally Posted by miu

When I first got out of college, I moved to Cambridge. My first job was a minimum wage job at a record store. And I found a shared apartment situation with complete strangers through the Boston Phoenix. And my next living situations were the same. No biggie.

Yes, the OP asked a question... however some details about their particular situation would indeed be very helpful in trying to answer it. Again, the Section 8 system is much more supportive of adults with underage children and not very supportive for single adults with no minors.

I'm not sure but I think section 8 is equal for everyone, married or single, young or old. Elderly couples are on section 8 with no minor children. A disabled single person could be on section 8. If we're going to starting criticizing people, have a go at the people who have several kids, never bother to get married, and still get section 8. A single person will only qualify for a one bedroom apartment while a family will take up more bedrooms and cost more to house.

Could be that the OP has a valid reason for needing section 8 and maybe he doesn't want to tell everybody in the MA forum his reasons.