This program is funded by the federal government. Its aim is to rent apartments owned by a Local Housing Authority to seniors ages 62 and over at affordable, income based rates. Monthly rent is calculated as 30% of the household's gross monthly income. The income limits for Federal housing programs are stricter than State housing programs; please contact the housing authority if you have questions about eligibility. Norwood Housing Authority has two Federal Elderly and Disabled Housing complexes: Frank Walsh Housing at William Shyne Circle Kevin Maguire Housing at Brookview Circle Both complexes feature one-bedroom apartments in low-rise, 2 story apartment buildings. Applicants and Transfers can request a First Floor or Wheelchair Accessible/Handicap unit. To apply for Federal Elderly and Disabled Housing, please fill out an application and submit it to the Norwood Housing Authority. Find the Federal Elderly and Disabled Application under Forms & Applications.

This program is funded by the State of Massachusetts. Its aim is to rent apartments that are owned by Local Housing Authorities to low-income and/or elderly tenants at affordable, income-based rates. Monthly rent is calculated at about 30% of the family's gross monthly income. Norwood has three State Public Housing complexes: McDonough Housing at Nahatan Village: 1 bedroom apartments for seniors over 60 years of age and non-elderly people with disabilities Willow Wood Terrace at Adams and Hill St: 1 bedroom apartments for seniors over 60 years of age and non-elderly people with disabilities Washington Heights at Roosevelt Ave and Jefferson Dr: low income family housing neighborhood with 2 and 3 bedroom units Applicants for this program are awarded Local preference for the town they live or work in, and a veterans preference if they have served honorably. They can also receive priority status on the housing waitlist if they were displaced from their primary residence due to any of the following: Fire Natural Forces Urban Renewal- Eminent Domain Urban Renewal - LHA Redevelopment Project Code Violations Court Ordered Eviction Severe Medical Emergency Abusive Situation To apply for State Public Housing, please visit the CHAMP website or fill out a CHAMP Application and bring it to your Local Housing Authority (see Forms & Applications).

The Norwood Housing Authority administers the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program in Norwood. This program is designed to assist local households by providing rental assistance to tenants of privately owned rental units. Program participants usually pay no more than 30% of their adjusted monthly income toward rent and utilities. The Housing Authority then pays a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) to the landlord for the difference between the tenant’s payment and the total contract rent. The Norwood Housing Authority participates in the Mass. NAHRO state wide Section 8 waiting list. An applicant for the Section 8 program may apply at any participating local housing authority in Massachusetts. Applicants are awarded the local preferences that they are eligible for by the system. This list has grown to over 40,000 applicants, but if the NHA were to take a name from the list, those with the Norwood local preference would be at the top. Once an applicant is awarded a voucher they can begin their housing search. When they find a suitable unit, they need to request approval from the NHA. The unit must pass a Housing Quality Inspection and the landlord must agree to a contract with a total contract rent that the NHA approves. The NHA Leased Housing staff admits new participants, and re-certifies current participants who must verify their income on an annual basis. The NHA currently administers approximately 330 HCV Vouchers that were issued by the NHA as well as approximately 15 vouchers that were issued by other LHA’s, but the participants found housing in Norwood. This is referred to as Portability. This allows a participant with a voucher to relocate anywhere in the United States. This program was formerly a voucher based program under which the NHA was awarded 341 vouchers. Since 2004 the program has changed to a budget based program, which has resulted in the NHA funding a lower number of vouchers. We also administer a small MRVP program. This program is funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and was modeled on the Section 8 program. To apply for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, please complete an online application at AffordableHousing.com or fill out a paper application for the Centralized Section 8 Waiting List (found under Forms & Applications) and return it to the Norwood Housing Authority.

In 2004 the Norwood Housing Authority began administrating the Local Initiative Program for the Town. The LIP program is a voluntary agreement between a developer and the town which provides for an “Affordable Housing’ component to new developments. The LIP program is used instead of the less than voluntary Chapter 40B process, which tends to pit a developer against the town. The Norwood Housing Authority agreed to administer the program for the town, which means the operation of Affordable Housing “lotteries” and the necessary advertisement, verifications, and other regulatory requirements of the program for several developments. The LIP program is administered at the state level by the Department of Housing and Community Development, (DHCD), which also administers the low income housing programs. Lotteries were held for developments at Washington Square (Michael Bartucca-developer), and Lenox Station (John Marini-developer).

The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program is a voluntary program that lasts up to 5 years, but participants may be able to graduate sooner if program goals are fulfilled. The FSS Program is designed to assist families in becoming economically independent by increasing their earned income through employment, education, and building financial stability. Families with a Section 8 voucher through Norwood Housing Authority are eligible to apply. The FSS Program does not affect your rental assistance or subsidy. By enrolling in the FSS Program you have so much to gain and nothing to lose! Program Benefits FSS Savings Account A savings account or also known as an escrow account is an interest-bearing account established by the Norwood Housing Authority on behalf of an FSS family. Deposits are made to this account when the family’s rent increases as a result of increased earned income in the FSS family household. These funds can help the family make progress towards goals such as purchasing a car, saving for your child’s education, starting your own small business, buying a home, and more. One-on-One Support Work with a Family Self-Sufficiency Coach providing case management in the coordination of services and resources that will help you to overcome obstacles in achieving your goals. Every family has different needs and goals. Some examples of goals may include but not limited to: Employment – obtain a higher paying job or position with the assistance of career services. Education – work towards obtaining a GED, a certification in a desired field of study, or furthering oneself in higher education. Credit- work on obtaining a credit footprint, repairing your credit, maintaining good credit, managing credit cards and how to obtain a secured credit card. Budget – learn how to create and maintain a budget while saving for your future. For more information about the Family Self-Sufficiency Program please contact: Tammy Saad Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator Norwood Housing Authority (508) 369-9023 fss@attleborohousing.org