Payment Standards

Rent Determination Process for New Apartments

STEP 1: Metro Housing|Boston inspectors conduct an HQS (Housing Quality Standard) inspection. Once the unit is determined to be in compliance with HQS requirements, the inspector will rate each unit utilizing a grading system.

 STEP 2: All new unit rents undergo a reasonableness evaluation by the Metro Housing Market Analyst. Rent reasonableness is determined based on the unit grade that is given by the inspectorany amenities that are in the unit, and the rents of comparable non-subsidized units in the same ZIP code. Please note: Metro Housing’s payment standard amounts help determine maximum rents only and do not necessarily represent the rent that will be offered. New unit rents larger than the payment standard plus 10% of the tenant’s adjusted monthly income cannot be approved, regardless of if they are reasonable.

 STEP 3: The Market Analyst approves requested rent amount or contacts owner with a different offer. Property owner accepts or declines offer. Please note: Tenants are not authorized to offer rent amounts to property owners. Final contract amounts will be determined by the market analyst only.

CHANGES TO PAYMENT STANDARDS EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2024. VIEW DETAILS HERE.

FEDERAL PROGRAM HOUSING PAYMENT STANDARDS

To view this file you will need either Windows Excel or Google Drive.

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UTILITY ALLOWANCES

2023 MTW Utility allowances

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UTILITY ALLOWANCES

2023 Non MTW Duplex (2-family) and Row House/Town House

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UTILITY ALLOWANCES

2023 Non MTW 3-Family and Multi-Family

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UTILITY ALLOWANCES

2023 Non MTW Low-Rise (3-4 stories/Garden) and High-Rise (5+ stories)

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If you have any questions about our rent determinations process, please contact Owner Services at ownerservices@MetroHousingBoston.org

Communities we serve

Metro Housing|Boston serves individuals and families, as well property owners, in 30 communities throughout Greater Boston.

  • Arlington
  • Bedford
  • Belmont
  • Boston
  • Braintree
  • Brookline
  • Burlington
  • Cambridge
  • Chelsea
  • Everett
  • Lexington
  • Lynn*
  • Malden
  • Medford
  • Melrose
  • Milton
  • Newton
  • North Reading
  • Quincy
  • Reading
  • Revere
  • Somerville
  • Stoneham
  • Wakefield
  • Waltham
  • Watertown
  • Wilmington
  • Winchester
  • Winthrop
  • Woburn

*Metro Housing|Boston does not administer RAFT, Voucher Programs, or HomeBASE assistance in Lynn. See Lynn Housing Authority.
*In addition to the 30 communities listed above, Metro Housing|Boston administers rental voucher programs in Holbrook, Randolph, and Weymouth. If you are specifically seeking RAFT assistance in those communities,
you must apply instead to Housing Solutions. (http://housingsolutionssema.org).

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