State-Aided Public Housing — Ranked First, With Disability Pay Left Out of Income
In state-aided public housing veterans are placed ahead of other applicants, in a fixed order: families of service-connected disabled veterans first, then families of veterans who died of service-connected causes, then other veterans' families. Two quieter provisions matter as much as the preference. VA disability compensation above $1,800 paid to a veteran rated totally unemployable is EXCLUDED from the income used to test eligibility and set rent, as are funds spent on tuition, fees and books. And continued occupancy in a two-bedroom-or-smaller unit cannot be denied to a veteran's family.
Verified August 27, 2026
What this benefit is
In state-aided public housing veterans are placed ahead of other applicants, in a fixed order: families of service-connected disabled veterans first, then families of veterans who died of service-connected causes, then other veterans' families. Two quieter provisions matter as much as the preference. VA disability compensation above $1,800 paid to a veteran rated totally unemployable is EXCLUDED from the income used to test eligibility and set rent, as are funds spent on tuition, fees and books. And continued occupancy in a two-bedroom-or-smaller unit cannot be denied to a veteran's family.
What it's worth: First place in the waiting list order, plus income exclusions that can decide eligibility
- The order is: families of service-connected disabled veterans, then families of veterans who died of service-connected causes, then families of other veterans.
- VA disability compensation ABOVE $1,800 paid to a veteran rated totally unemployable is excluded from gross income.
- Funds used for tuition, fees and books are excluded from gross income.
- Because income sets both eligibility and rent, an exclusion can matter more than the queue position.
- Continued occupancy in a unit of two bedrooms or fewer cannot be denied to a veteran's family.
- Applications are made to the LOCAL housing authority, and waiting times differ enormously between towns.
Who is entitled to it
- You are in one of the groups the preference covers.
- The discharge meets the state veteran definition.
- You live in Massachusetts.
- The programme is a Massachusetts one.
Not sure whether that describes you?
Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.
How to claim it
- 1Apply through CHAMP and tick the veteran status — the preference is not applied unless it is claimed.
- 2Apply to several housing authorities at once. One application can name many, and waiting lists differ by years between towns.
- 3If the veteran is rated totally unemployable, say so and ask that VA compensation above $1,800 be excluded from income. It is a statutory exclusion, not a discretion.
- 4If anyone in the household is at college, ask for tuition, fees and book costs to be excluded too.
- 5If you are already housed and are asked to leave a two-bedroom-or-smaller unit, ask about the continued-occupancy protection before you agree to move.
- Form
- Common Housing Application for Massachusetts Public Housing (CHAMP)
- File with
- Local housing authority, through CHAMP
- Documents you will need
- dd214 · va benefit summary letter
- No renewal
- Once granted it does not need renewing.
Sources
- authority · statuteMassachusetts Veterans' Laws and Benefits — state-aided public housing preference and income exclusions
- operating · published policyExecutive Office of Housing and Livable Communities — state-aided public housing
This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.