Housing Services Division (formerly Office of the Housing Liaison)

Housing Services Center Information

Address: 362 Green St., Floor 1

Hours:

• Monday: 8:30 AM – 8 PM
• Tuesday–Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
• Friday: 8:30 AM – 12 PM
• Walk-ins begin at 9 AM and end 30 minutes before closing

Phone: 617-349-6340

Email: housingservices@cambridgema.gov

 Read the Affordable Housing Basics At a Glance for more information.

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• The Housing Department Administrative and Programmatic Divisions coordinate efforts to meet the housing needs of low, moderate, and middle-income residents through initiatives that create and preserve affordable housing, especially for families with children, and offers access to affordable housing. These divisions oversee the use of Trust funds and works with affordable housing developers to leverage this funding with resources from other public and private funders. The Department also works with partners to ensure new affordable housing reflects the City’s commitment to high quality, environmentally sustainable design and construction, and creates valuable resources for future residents and the community. Contact the Housing Department at housing@cambridgema.gov 
  

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• The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) provides a wide range of services to the residents of Cambridge.
  

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• The Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC) was established in 1984 to protect the civil rights of residents and visitors to the city. Included in their work are issues involving fair housing. If you have experienced discrimination at any stage of a housing search or as a tenant, contact the Commission at: hrc@cambridgema.gov. 
  

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• The Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) works to reduce and eliminate the barriers that people with disabilities experience in our community. CCPD staff answers questions, provides information & referrals, and gives technical assistance to individuals and families on many topics including needs and concerns regarding housing access and accommodations. For more information please contact: ccpd@cambridgema.gov. 
  

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• The Inspectional Services Housing Division enforces the State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410). The division consists of 4 housing inspectors and each inspector is assigned to an area in the City. The most common types of complaints are: no heat, insufficient hot water, plumbing problems, cross metering, egress obstruction, rodent infestation, hoarding, rubbish, and landlords maintenance responsibilities. For more information call: 617-349-6100.

There are two primary emergency shelter systems in Massachusetts. One for individuals and another for families.  There is also a network of shelter providers who offer emergency shelter and services for domestic violence survivors.

There are many individual shelters and various access points. For a list of shelters please contact the Cambridge Housing Services Center at 617-349-6340 or check out the MSC Pocket Guide for People Experiencing Homelessness.

The family shelter system defines a family as having a dependent under the age of 21.  To find out more, please follow this link to the Massachusetts Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter information page.

For Domestic Violence Services please call SAFE Link at 1-877-785-2020.

If you have questions or need help accessing shelter, call the Housing Services Center at 617-349-6340 for more information.

There are many local and state resources and services to assist you with housing and housing and housing related financial need.

Find Information and Apply for Eviction Prevention Assistance:

• Housing Services Center
• Metro Boston Housing

The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they are renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities.

The protected categories under the Cambridge Human Rights Ordinance and the Cambridge Fair Housing Ordinance are the following:

• Disability – Defined consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities
• Race
• Color
• National Origin or Ancestry
• Family Status
• Source of Income, includes Section 8 and public benefits
• Marital Status, includes married and non-married individuals
• Sex: Male or female, includes allegations of sexual harassment
• Gender identity or expression
• Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual
• Age
• Religious
• Creed
• Military Status

If you feel like you have been treated differently because of your membership in any of the above protected statuses, please contact the Cambridge Human Rights Commission. If you want more information regarding your rights as a person with a disability, please email the Commission of Persons with Disabilities at ccpd@cambridgema.gov.

There are many routes to applying for subsidized housing.  Below are important links to ensure that you are on as many lists as possible. For more information about how to apply and/or why it is important to complete any and all applications, and, to find out about other opportunities please contact the Housing Services Center at 617-349-6340 or housingservices@cambridgema.gov.

• Apply for State Wide Public Housing
• Apply to Cambridge Housing Authority
• Apply to the Housing Department Inclusionary Rental and Home Buying Programs
• Apply to Boston Housing Authority
• Apply to the Centralized Statewide Section 8 List

Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT)

The purpose of the Massachusetts program for rental assistance is to provide housing stability to MA residents.

What can RAFT be used for?

Program funds can be used for housing-related expenses only. Appropriate uses of funds include, but are not limited to:

• Rental or mortgage arrearages.
• Security deposits.
• First and last month’s rent.
• Utility arrearages.
• Furniture. (May only be requested if connected to one of the housing crises listed above).

Tenants, Homeowners, Property Managers, Landlords can go to mass.gov for more information or apply online.

There are free  legal and mediation services available in Cambridge. Attorneys and trained mediators are able to  assist you with tenant/landlord disputes and eviction proceedings.  Contact one of the following for help if you are concerned that your housing or tenant rights are in jeopardy.

• Cambridge Somerville Legal Services 
• De Novo Center for Justice and Healing
• Community Dispute Settlement Center

In an effort to help tenants understand their rights and responsibilities as a tenant in Cambridge, and to make sure that tenants are aware of the many resources offered, effective October 14, 2020, the City of Cambridge  requires owners, landlords, and management companies to provide tenants with information at the start of a lease or tenancy as well as when a tenancy is being terminated.  View the guide to tenant rights and/or link to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s guide to landlord/tenant rights and information.

Tenants Rights and Resources Notification Ordinance Overview Information and FAQs

The Attorney General's Guide to Landlord and Tenant Rights