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Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded a limited number of Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) to the Boston Housing Authority. Due to the limited number of vouchers:

  • We are using a closed referral system. Clients cannot apply directly to the BHA for EHV assistance.

  • Only households who meet eligibility criteria AND additional prioritization criteria will be referred to the BHA.  See the table below for more information.

EHV Priority Populations + Access Information

EHV assistance is limited to families and individuals who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking or recently homeless and at high risk of housing instability.

Because we have a limited number of vouchers, the priority populations that will be referred for screening for these vouchers include the following. If you believe you may be in a priority population, please contact the entity(ies) below the priority population.

  1. Households in emergency shelters (including domestic violence shelters) in Boston that have the longest lengths of stay.

    1. In general, we expect people with at least 1 year in Boston shelters or unsheltered situations to be prioritized for referrals.

    2. Contact your case manager or supervisor at the shelter you reside at.

    3. Please note that referrals for this group will likely begin in October 2021.

    4. For a list of Boston emergency shelters participating, click here

  2. Families who were displaced from Boston when seeking state-funded emergency assistance shelter and were placed in shelter in or outside of Boston that have the longest lengths of stay.

    1. In general, we expect people with a minimum of 1 year of stays in emergency shelters to be prioritized for referrals.

    2. Please note that referrals for this group will be generated by a list from the state of Massachusetts indicating displaced from Boston status and longest lengths of stay in family shelter. Shelters with families on the list will be contacted.

  3. Families with children in Boston Public Schools who are currently in shelter, unsheltered or at risk of becoming homeless.

    1. Boston Public Schools already has a substantial wait list for families in this category.  Some space on the waiting list will be available. 

    2. Contact the McKinney homeless liaison assigned to your Boston Public School. 

    3. Please note that referrals for this group will start at September 2021. 

  4. Households enrolled in a rapid re-housing program funded by the City of Boston who are at greatest risk of returning to emergency shelter or an unsheltered living situation.

    1. In general, we expect people who are the closest to timing out of a rapid re-housing program to be referred first.

    2. Contact your case manager or supervisor at the rapid re-housing program you are enrolled in.

    3. Please note that referrals for this group will start at October 2021. 

    4. For a list of Boston rapid re-housing programs participating, click here.

EHV Referral Process

Potentially eligible families and individuals must first complete an initial screening with a caseworker and be referred to Boston Housing Authority by designated provider agencies. Clients cannot apply directly to BHA for EHV assistance.
Please note: Because the EHVs are limited, families and individuals who meet the eligibility criteria must also satisfy additional prioritization criteria. Only eligible clients who are also in a priority group will be referred to BHA. All clients referred to BHA will then need to complete an online EHV application for further screening and to verify eligibility for the EHV program.

HUD References

Boston Emergency Shelters- Adult-Only households and/or Domestic Violence Shelters

  • 112 Southampton Street- Men’s Shelter – only current guests

  • Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence

  • Boston Night Center

  • Boston Rescue Mission

  • Bridge Over Troubled Water

  • Casa Myrna Vazquez

  • Dept. of Mental Health Safe Haven

  • Elizabeth Stonehouse

  • Finex House

  • Liberty Village

  • New England Center &  Home for Veterans

  • Pine Street Inn – only current guests

  • Rosie’s Place

  • Woods Mullen – only current guests

  • Please note that the following may also be included:

    • Temporary hotel stays funded by any of the above emergency shelters

    • Referrals from day or advocacy programs for people residing at the above shelters with the longest lengths of stay. Examples include HomeStart, AIDS Action and St. Francis House.

    • Families who are fleeing domestic violence and who reside in family emergency shelters in Boston. 

Agencies Who Administer Boston Rapid Re-Housing Programs

  • 112 Southampton Street- Men’s Shelter

  • Bridge Over Troubled Water

  • Casa Myrna Vazquez

  • College Bound

  • Elizabeth Stonehouse

  • Family Aid Boston

  • HomeStart

  • JRI

  • New England Center & Home for Veterans

  • Pine Street Inn

  • St. Francis House

  • Woods Mullen

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