Housing Resources in Western MA

It can be difficult to find help for housing. Check out the services listed below or call our key partner in your region.

Financial Assistance for Housing

Emergency Housing Assistance - This includes programs assisting individuals, families, and youth who are homeless or at risk of being homeless, such as the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program. Learn about RAFT.
Other housing assistance programs for renters and homeowners - This includes housing vouchers, housing assistance programs for older adults, veterans, refugees, etc., and other housing/financial resources.
Apply for state-aided public housing and the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP).
If you are a Mass Health member, your health plan may include other housing services including housing supplies, repairs and moving costs. Contact your health plan for details.

Immediate Shelter

Shelters - including options for families, youth and veterans
Domestic violence shelters

Find Affordable Housing

Find options near you by searching on 413Cares. Try using keyword "affordable housing" or "help find housing" and your zip code. You can also use the MA Housing Navigator tool.

Unfortunately most affordable housing has long waiting lists. Contact your local Housing Consumer Education Center for assistance and more housing options.

Apply for state-aided public housing and the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP).

Maintenance and Repairs

Housing maintenance, repairs, and modification (including weatherization) - The majority of the services are available for homeowners. Some municipalities have their own repair programs, so you can check with your town about any other options available to you.

Up To Code will help you find out if your home is safe according to the state sanitary code. It will help you get the repairs that you need.

If you are a Mass Health member, your health plan may include other housing services including housing supplies, repairs and moving costs. Contact your health plan for details.

Concerns about housing conditions? Renters can contact their town’s Board of Health or inspectional services about housing conditions. Also refer to the legal resources for rental conditions and fair housing issues.

Utilities and Fuel Assistance

You can also apply directly to your local utility and the RAFT program mentioned above can help with utilities as well.

Phone and Digital resources

Find programs that offer devices, affordable internet, and digital skills programs.

Legal Services

The Housing Unit at Community Legal Aid's Central West Justice Center provides legal services to help tenants facing eviction, homeowners who are threatened with foreclosure, homeless families who need to access the state’s Emergency Assistance shelter program, and people trying to get into affordable housing. The Unit also runs a housing discrimination testing and enforcement program.

Call 855-CLA-LEGAL (855 252-5342)
508-755-3260 TTY/TTD
Review CLA's Tenant Resources in Western MA (English / Spanish)
If you are appearing in Housing Court on eviction day, their free Lawyer for a Day is present to offer support at each Western MA Housing Court (Springfield, Pittsfield, Hadley, Greenfield).

Lawyers Clearinghouse

The Legal Clinic for the Homeless connects people in need of free legal assistance with volunteer attorneys who can assist them with civil legal matters on a pro bono basis.

Hampden County Bar Association's Lawyer for the Day Program Volunteer attorneys provide brief out-of-court legal advice on a range of general civil areas including housing issues related to landlord and tenants for Springfield, Longmeadow, and West Springfield residents.

MADE: Massachusetts Defense for Eviction

MADE is a free tool to help tenants defend against an eviction in court. When you finish, you need to print and deliver paperwork to court and to your landlord or their attorney.

Mass Legal Help

Visit Mass Legal Help for information on legal issues related to:

MA Fair Housing Center

MFHC provides free legal services to those who have experienced housing discrimination in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, and Worcester Counties.

MA Attorney General's Guide to Landlord and Tenant Rights

Know your rights and responsibilities when creating or signing onto a lease, as well as laws, regulations, and issues related to renting and leasing an apartment.

Landlord Advocacy Project provides free legal assistance, financial assistance application support, free educational materials and resources, and limited assistance representation to low-income landlords.