Office of Housing Stability
We help residents find and maintain stable, safe, and affordable housing.
Virtual Walk-In Hours and Legal Clinics
Every Tuesday from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., the Office of Housing Stability hosts a virtual legal clinic for small landlords and tenants. Complete our online form to RSVP for this virtual legal clinic.
Every Wednesday from 12 - 2 p.m., Office of Housing Stability staff host virtual walk-in hours to answer your housing questions. Complete our online form to RSVP for these walk-in hours.
Having housing issues in Boston?
Get helpThere is a federal eviction moratorium in place until March 31, 2021. The Order prohibits property owners from evicting people who cannot pay rent. You must fill out this declaration form (English, Español, Português, 中文, Français, Kriolu Kabuverdianu, Kreyòl ayisyen, Soomaali, русский, Tiếng Việt, or عربى) and present it to your landlord.
STEP 2A landlord cannot force you out by changing the locks or shutting off the utilities. Landlords must follow a legal process. Learn about the eviction process.
STEP 3Every Tuesday from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., the Office of Housing Stability hosts a virtual legal clinic. Complete our online form to RSVP for this clinic, where you can speak with attorneys and a landlord mediator.
STEP 4If you received a Notice to Quit or Eviction Summons and Complaint from the Court, please visit the COVID Eviction Legal Help Project to find legal help. Then, visit our "how to respond to an eviction" page for more information about legal resources.
Every Tuesday from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., the Office of Housing Stability hosts a virtual legal clinic. Complete our online form to RSVP for this clinic, where you can speak with attorneys and a landlord mediator.
Apply for funds to help with rental arrears with:
- the City of Boston Rental Relief Fund,
- ABCD Rental Assistance, or
- through RAFT funding. Please call 2-1-1 or visit this link for more information about resources outside of the City of Boston.
If you have a housing voucher, please watch this housing recertification video. You can also view this housing recertification presentation.
A landlord cannot force you out by changing the locks or shutting off the utilities.
Landlords must follow a legal eviction process. If the landlord has changed your locks, please call the police. You should also report the landlord to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Consumer Complaint Hotline: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., at 617-727-8400.
Contact Inspectional Services at 617-635-5300 if:
- your apartment needs repairs or is in code violation, or
- your utilities have been shut off.
If you feel that you are being discriminated against, contact the Office of Fair Housing and Equity at 617-635-2500.
- Use Metrolist to search for affordable housing.
- Fill out this Common Housing Application for Massachusetts Programs.
- Visit the Boston Housing Authority website.
- Watch this housing search workshop in English or Spanish.
- Visit HousingWorks for additional resources.
- If you are a family that needs shelter tonight, follow the state's guide for families.
- If you are an individual that needs shelter tonight, visit our services for the homeless page.
- If you are a youth in need of assistance, visit our ending youth homelessness page.
- You can also call 3-1-1 for non-emergency help in Boston.
- You can call 2-1-1 or visit this link for help or assistance outside of Boston.
Tenant Resources
Learn what to expect when renting in Boston.
Tenants should know their rights before and while renting
If you owe rent, apply to the City of Boston Rental Relief Fund, which will pay your landlord directly.
In the case of a fire, it is important that tenants and landlords understand their rights and obligations.
Enter an address to search for information about a residential property in Boston.
The Boston Housing Authority (BHA) provides public housing and other affordable housing options.
Landlord resources
The act requires landlords planning to end a tenancy agreement to provide tenants with a Notice of Rights and Resources.
This weekly clinic will provide you with free legal assistance.
Get help paying your mortgage.
If your tenants' owe back rent, encourage them to apply for the Rental Relief Fund, which will pay you directly.
Looking to rent out a property? We have tips.
We offer loans to help homeowners with home repair costs.
Landlords in the private market can lease their apartments to families in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Programs and Initiatives
ProgramsContact Us
We help tenants in housing crisis due to fire, natural disaster, eviction, or condemnation. Email housingstability@boston.gov or call 617-635-4200 to contact us. We also have information on emergency resources for tenants. Our goal is to put residents on the path to housing stability.
Tenant and Landlord InformationWe provide information to tenants and landlords about their rights and responsibilities.
We develop tenant and landlord resources and programs. We want to promote the creation and preservation of stable and affordable housing in Boston.
Advocacy and PolicyWe research, draft, and put in place policies that aim to prevent displacement. Our goal is to keep our communities intact.