Low Income & Subsidized Housing in Chelsea, MA
There are 27 subsidized and income-restricted properties in Chelsea with roughly 1,860 assisted units — including 9 project-based Section 8 buildings, 1 public housing developments, and 15 LIHTC tax-credit communities, according to HUD administrative data. Reported tenant-paid rents across these buildings range from about $302 to $739 per month. Median reported wait: about 29 months.
Map of subsidized housing in Chelsea
Complete directory of subsidized housing in Chelsea
| Property | Units | Avg rent | Reported wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margolis-scrivano-mace Apartments Public Housing | 352 | $627 | 29 mo |
| Chelsea Village PB Section 8 | 160 | $448 | — |
| Broadway Glen Apts LIHTC | 120 | — | — |
| Broadway Glen PB Section 8 | 119 | $739 | — |
| Carter Heights LIHTC | 108 | — | — |
| Collins Non-profit Apartments PB Section 8 | 99 | $512 | — |
| Chelsea Homes I LIHTC | 86 | — | — |
| Greenhouse The, PB Section 8 | 79 | $387 | — |
| Chelsea Square PB Section 8 | 71 | $518 | — |
| Admiral Hill Assisted Living I LIHTC | 69 | — | — |
| Cohen Florence Levine Estates LIHTC | 63 | — | — |
| Mhpi X §202 Senior | 60 | $352 | — |
| Standard Box Apts LIHTC | 50 | — | — |
| Spencer Green LIHTC | 48 | — | — |
| Cgm LIHTC | 43 | — | — |
| Chesnut - Marlboro - Grove LIHTC | 43 | — | — |
| Janus Highlands Apts LIHTC | 41 | — | — |
| Admiral Hill Assisted Living Ii LIHTC | 36 | — | — |
| Highland Terrace LIHTC | 32 | — | — |
| Spencer Row LIHTCPB Section 8 | 32 | — | — |
| North Suffolk Group Home PB Section 8 | 28 | $315 | — |
| Bellingham Square Apts. PB Section 8 | 27 | $388 | — |
| Harborcov Community Housing LIHTC | 24 | — | — |
| Till Building LIHTC | 23 | — | — |
| Winnisimmet Apartments PB Section 8 | 22 | $423 | — |
| Community Living Corp §811 | 17 | $302 | — |
| Harborview Corp §811 | 8 | — | — |
Section 8 apartments in Chelsea (project-based)
These buildings carry HUD Section 8 contracts attached to the units — apply at each management office rather than through the voucher waitlist. How project-based Section 8 works →
| Property | Units | Avg rent | Reported wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea Village PB Section 8 | 160 | $448 | — |
| Broadway Glen PB Section 8 | 119 | $739 | — |
| Collins Non-profit Apartments PB Section 8 | 99 | $512 | — |
| Greenhouse The, PB Section 8 | 79 | $387 | — |
| Chelsea Square PB Section 8 | 71 | $518 | — |
| Spencer Row LIHTCPB Section 8 | 32 | — | — |
| North Suffolk Group Home PB Section 8 | 28 | $315 | — |
| Bellingham Square Apts. PB Section 8 | 27 | $388 | — |
| Winnisimmet Apartments PB Section 8 | 22 | $423 | — |
Public housing developments in Chelsea
Rents here are set at about 30% of household income and managed by the local housing authority. About the public housing program →
| Property | Units | Avg rent | Reported wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margolis-scrivano-mace Apartments Public Housing | 352 | $627 | 29 mo |
LIHTC & affordable tax-credit apartments in Chelsea
Tax-credit units rent below market rate for households within income bands (often 30–60% of Area Median Income). Understanding LIHTC →
| Property | Units | Avg rent | Reported wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broadway Glen Apts LIHTC | 120 | — | — |
| Carter Heights LIHTC | 108 | — | — |
| Chelsea Homes I LIHTC | 86 | — | — |
| Admiral Hill Assisted Living I LIHTC | 69 | — | — |
| Cohen Florence Levine Estates LIHTC | 63 | — | — |
| Standard Box Apts LIHTC | 50 | — | — |
| Spencer Green LIHTC | 48 | — | — |
| Cgm LIHTC | 43 | — | — |
| Chesnut - Marlboro - Grove LIHTC | 43 | — | — |
| Janus Highlands Apts LIHTC | 41 | — | — |
| Admiral Hill Assisted Living Ii LIHTC | 36 | — | — |
| Highland Terrace LIHTC | 32 | — | — |
| Harborcov Community Housing LIHTC | 24 | — | — |
| Till Building LIHTC | 23 | — | — |
Voucher rent limits: Suffolk County Fair Market Rents
Housing Choice Voucher payment standards in this area derive from HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rents for Suffolk County: studio $2,359, 1-BR $2,476, 2-BR $2,941, 3-BR $3,526, 4-BR $3,894.
Full FMR table for Suffolk County →
How to apply for subsidized housing in Chelsea
- Apply to buildings directly. Project-based Section 8, public housing, §202/§811 and LIHTC properties run their own waitlists — contact each office using the details on its page.
- Join voucher waitlists. Your regional housing authority administers Housing Choice Vouchers; ask about current openings and preferences. Step-by-step application guide →
- Document everything. ID, Social Security cards, birth certificates, and income proof speed up both paths.
- Stay reachable. Update your address everywhere — missed mail is the top reason applicants lose spots.
Nearby cities with low income housing
- Allston, MA
- Boston, MA
- Brighton, MA
- Charlestown, MA
- Dorchester, MA
- East Boston, MA
- Hyde Park, MA
- Jamaica Plain, MA
- Mattapan, MA
- Revere, MA
- Roslindale, MA
- Roxbury, MA
Data: HUD Picture of Subsidized Households & LIHTC database (2024 vintage). Figures are administrative averages — confirm current availability with each property.