For Applicants

Columbia Court
Columbia Court

Are you looking for affordable housing in Cambridge? The Housing Division offers both rental and ownership opportunities. To be considered for these programs, you must complete and submit an application along with all required supporting documentation. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Please select a section below to learn more about different housing options in Cambridge. If you would like additional information, please contact the Housing Division at 617/349-4622.

  • Wheeler Street

    Apply for Rental Housing

    The Housing Division administers the Inclusionary Rental Applicant Pool. The pool selects tenants for rental units created through the City's Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance. These units are located throughout the city in privately owned mixed-income developments.

  • 157 Pleasant Street

    Apply for Ownership Housing

    The Housing Division offers several programs for applicants interested in buying an affordable home in Cambridge. The Homeownership Resale Pool is used to select buyers for affordable units when the current owner chooses to sell. The Financial Assistance Program provides funding for qualified applicants to purchase a home on the open market in exchange for permanent affordability.

    Please click here to learn more about the Financial Assistance Progarm.

    Additionally, newly developed homeownership units, when available, are sold through a lottery processes administered by the Housing Division. Notice of new homeownership units can be found here.

  • Jackson Gardens

    Other Housing Opportunities

    In addition to programs offered through the Housing Division, there are other affordable housing options in Cambridge. These include rental units owned by local non-profits; public housing and Section 8 vouchers offered through the Cambridge Housing Authority; and privately-owned affordable housing developments. In addition, there are ownership opportunities offered directly through non-profit developers.