An investigation by Massachusetts public radio station WBUR and ProPublica finds that nearly 2,300 public housing units in Massachusetts are vacant despite a waitlist of 184,000 people. Published in September, the investigation describes the state’s unique public housing system and highlights the limitations of its practices and procedures, which have contributed to the public housing crisis. In addition to discussing the concerns of stakeholders, the investigation proposes possible solutions to reduce the number of vacancies and ensure stable, affordable housing for more households. Since the investigation was released, Massachusetts housing officials have launched a plan to substantially reduce vacancies by the end of the year. Housing advocates have been encouraged to see the state take swift action.
Massachusetts is one of only four states with state-subsidized public housing and manages 41,500 total homes, more than twice as many as the three other states combined. The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) oversees the program, and local housing authorities (LHAs) own and manage the apartments. The public housing is reserved for those who are cost-burdened and severely cost-burdened, with a particular focus on seniors, people with disabilities, and families. Residents typically pay less than a third of their monthly income in rent, and those with no income must pay a minimum of $5. Renters who earn less than 80% of the area median income (AMI) are eligible to apply. The investigation links to NLIHC’s Gap report, showing that Massachusetts is the third most expensive state for rental housing, and notes that the state spends more than $200 million per year on operating expenses for low-income housing.
Key findings from the investigation include the following:
- There are 2,291 vacant state public housing units in Massachusetts.
- LHAs blame the large number of vacancies on a statewide waitlist enacted in 2019.
- Many LHAs require additional funding for staff and major repairs and renovations.
- At least 121 public housing units have been converted into non-residential spaces.
- Some units have been empty for years, while major renovations and redevelopment plans have been stalled.
Local housing officials cite the statewide online system, Common Housing Application for Massachusetts Programs (CHAMP), as a major reason for there being so many vacancies. CHAMP, which was enacted in 2014 and launched in 2019, creates a single pool of applicants for the states’ 230 LHAs. Concerns were raised about the length and complexity of the application, complications with duplicate applications, and the reliance of the application process on the U.S. Postal Service, even while many applicants are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. The state has acknowledged that LHAs need to hire extra staff to screen the large influx of applications.
Funding is another cause of the high number of vacancies. LHAs report needing money for repairs, as well as for staff to conduct the repairs and handle administrative load. The state estimates that LHAs require $3.2 billion for necessary repairs but are faced with an actual budget of $184 million. The public housing program has been underfunded for decades, with an independent auditor suggesting the program was facing a state of emergency in 2006.
The investigation also describes actions by LHAs that have hampered efforts to reduce the waitlist and vacancies. For instance, some LHAs have converted apartments that are meant to be used as living units into storage, offices, and even a police department. There are also vacant units awaiting repairs or teardowns, which advocates claim could be used to temporarily house people. LHAs continue to receive a subsidy from the state for converted units and empty units awaiting renovations at a time when vacancies are widespread and the public housing waitlist grows.
Three days after the publication of the investigation, the EOHCL released a memo initiating a 90-day push to reduce the number of vacancies by providing additional financial and technical assistance to LHAs. State housing officials will also work closely with LHAs that have vacancies in excess of 10% of their total units. Advocates are pleased to see the state taking swift action, particularly at a time when the need for stable, affordable housing is skyrocketing around the state.
Read the full investigation here.