Low Income & Subsidized Housing in Salem, MA
There are 19 subsidized and income-restricted properties in Salem with roughly 1,849 assisted units — including 7 project-based Section 8 buildings, 1 public housing developments, and 14 LIHTC tax-credit communities, according to HUD administrative data. Reported tenant-paid rents across these buildings range from about $370 to $567 per month.
Map of subsidized housing in Salem
Complete directory of subsidized housing in Salem
| Property | Units | Avg rent | Reported wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairweather Apts LIHTC | 321 | — | — |
| Salem Heights Preservation Assoc LIHTC | 283 | — | — |
| Loring Towers LIHTC | 250 | — | — |
| Pequot Highlands LIHTC | 250 | — | — |
| Fairweather Apartments PB Section 8 | 160 | $428 | — |
| Point Coop LIHTC | 77 | — | — |
| 117 Lafayette St LIHTC | 63 | — | — |
| Lafayette Housing LIHTC | 61 | — | — |
| Salem Point Rental LIHTC | 61 | — | — |
| Fairweather Apartments PB Section 8 | 60 | $474 | — |
| St Joseph & Aposs Redevelopment LIHTC | 51 | — | — |
| Lighthouses Apartments LIHTCPB Section 8 | 46 | — | — |
| Federal Elderly Public Housing Public Housing | 39 | $567 | — |
| Harbor Lafayette LIHTCPB Section 8 | 27 | — | — |
| Harbor Lafayette LIHTCPB Section 8 | 27 | — | — |
| Boston Street LIHTCPB Section 8 | 26 | — | — |
| Boston Street Crossing LIHTCPB Section 8 | 26 | — | — |
| H.e.s House §811 | 17 | $370 | — |
| Buena Vista §811 | 4 | — | — |
Section 8 apartments in Salem (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairweather Apartments PB Section 8 | 160 | $428 | — |
| Fairweather Apartments PB Section 8 | 60 | $474 | — |
| Lighthouses Apartments LIHTCPB Section 8 | 46 | — | — |
| Harbor Lafayette LIHTCPB Section 8 | 27 | — | — |
| Harbor Lafayette LIHTCPB Section 8 | 27 | — | — |
| Boston Street LIHTCPB Section 8 | 26 | — | — |
| Boston Street Crossing LIHTCPB Section 8 | 26 | — | — |
Public housing developments in Salem
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Elderly Public Housing Public Housing | 39 | $567 | — |
LIHTC & affordable tax-credit apartments in Salem
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairweather Apts LIHTC | 321 | — | — |
| Salem Heights Preservation Assoc LIHTC | 283 | — | — |
| Loring Towers LIHTC | 250 | — | — |
| Pequot Highlands LIHTC | 250 | — | — |
| Point Coop LIHTC | 77 | — | — |
| 117 Lafayette St LIHTC | 63 | — | — |
| Lafayette Housing LIHTC | 61 | — | — |
| Salem Point Rental LIHTC | 61 | — | — |
| St Joseph & Aposs Redevelopment LIHTC | 51 | — | — |
Voucher rent limits: Essex County Fair Market Rents
Housing Choice Voucher payment standards in this area derive from HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rents for Essex County: studio $2,359, 1-BR $2,476, 2-BR $2,941, 3-BR $3,526, 4-BR $3,894.
Full FMR table for Essex County →
How to apply for subsidized housing in Salem
- 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
- Amesbury, MA
- Andover, MA
- Beverly, MA
- Danvers, MA
- Gloucester, MA
- Haverhill, MA
- Ipswich, MA
- Lawrence, MA
- Lynn, MA
- Methuen, MA
- North Andover, MA
- Peabody, MA
Data: HUD Picture of Subsidized Households & LIHTC database (2024 vintage). Figures are administrative averages — confirm current availability with each property.