Housing
Articles and Spotlights
Housing Factsheet:
Asset Limitations
There are new rules that limit the assets and property that families can have when applying to, and in some cases, participating in housing programs starting in 2025. The new rules are based on a federal law, HOTMA - Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016.
* FAMILIES LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING AND PARTICIPATING IN THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM CAN NOT HAVE MORE THAN $109,797 (in 2027) OF COUNTABLE FAMILY ASSETS. THE NEW RULES APPLY TO NEW APPLICANTS. HOUSING AUTHORITIES CAN DECIDE ON A POLICY FOR HOW THEY WILL APPLY THE RULES TO EXISTING RESIDENTS. *
Accessory Dwelling Units
Massachusetts has a new tool available to help meet our growing housing needs. Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll are committed to jumpstarting housing production and making it easier for families to find affordable places to live.
* THANKS TO LEGISLATION SIGNED BY GOVERNOR HEALEY IN AUGUST 2024, SINGLE-FAMILY PROPERTY OWNERS NOW HAVE THE OPTION "BY RIGHT" TO ADD A NEW RENTAL APARTMENT IN THEIR HOME OR ON THEIR PROPERTY. *
Housing Choice Vouchers
Fact Sheet
The housing choice voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments.
* HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS ARE ADMINISTERED LOCALLY BY PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCIES (PHAs). THE PHAS RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDS FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVEOPMENT (HUD) TO ADMINISTER THE VOUCHER PROGRAM *
Home Modification Loan Program and Accessory Dwelling Units
In addition to supporting the creation of accessory dwelling units, home modification loans can include ramps and lifts, kitchen and bathroom adaptations, sensory integration spaces, fencing, handrails, brighter lighting, widening of doorways, and flooring renovations. The program provides loans of up to $50,000 for property owners. These loans are interest free (0% interest rate) with no monthly payments. Repayment of the loan is made when a property is sold or transferred.
* THERE ARE FOUR STEPS TO ACCESS THE PROGRAM: (1) COMPLETE THE APPLICATION; (2) IDENTIFY A QUALIFIED GENERAL CONTRACTOR; (3) COMPLETE AND SIGN THE LOAN DOCUMENTS; (4) BEGIN CONSTRUCTION AND PROVIDE INVOICES TO RECEIVE FUNDS. *
HUD Excluded Assets:
ABLE Accounts and Retirement Plans
HUD'S 2027 asset limit is $109,797. However, certain assets are excluded when calculating a household's total countable assets to determine whether it exceeds the limit. Two important asset exclusions are ABLE accounts and retirement accounts recognized by the IRS.
* REVIEW HUD REGULATION 24 CFR § 5.603(b) Net family assets (3)(iii) and (vi) FOR THESE EXCLUSIONS. FOR THE COMPLETE LIST OF EXCLUDED ASSETS. REVIEW THE FULL HUD REGULATION. *
HUD Excluded Income:
Retirement Plan Earnings
Many types of income are excluded when calculating household income for HUD purposes. One important income exclusion is earnings accrued in retirement plans recognized by the IRS. However, periodic payments distributed from these accounts count as income when received, while non-recurring distributions are excluded.
* REVIEW HUD REGULATION 24 CFR § 5.609(b)(26) FOR THESE EXCLUSIONS. FOR THE COMPLETE LIST OF INCOME EXCLUSIONS, REVIEW THE FULL HUD REGULATION. *
HUD Treatment of ABLE Accounts
HUD excludes ABLE account balances from the calculation of net family assets. Contributions to ABLE accounts, along with earnings generated, and distributions are excluded from income. However, wages remain countable income even when deposited directly into an ABLE account.
* SEE HUD NOTICE PIH 2019-09 / H 2019-06 FOR DETAILS ON THE TREATMENT OF ABLE ACCOUNTS IN HUD-ASSISTED PROGRAMS. *
HUD Imputed Income
HUD calculates imputed income from assets only when a household’s net assets exceed the applicable threshold. Accounts earning 0% interest should not be assigned imputed interest, as they generate no actual interest income. However, any actual interest earned must be included in household income, even if net assets fall below the threshold. For 2027, the net asset threshold is $54,898 and the imputed interest rate is 0.38%.
* FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SEE PAGES 70 - 72 OF HUD NOTICE H 2023-10 / PIH 2023-27. *
Special Needs Trust Disbursements
Under HUD regulations, distributions from an irrevocable Special Needs Trust are treated differently depending on whether the funds represent principal or income. Distributions of trust principal are excluded from annual income, while distributions of trust income are generally counted as annual income.
* SEE HUD REGULATION 24 CFR § 5.609(a)(1) and (b)(2) *