Affordable Housing

Affordable Housing Units in Melrose

In 2004, the City of Melrose adopted the Affordable Housing Incentive Program Ordinance (Section 235-73.1 of the Melrose Zoning Ordinance). This regulation requires that residential and mixed-use development of a certain size include 15 percent of the units as affordable to households making up to 80 percent of the metropolitan Boston area median income as defined by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The units are made available through a lottery for eligible households approved by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development and the Office of Planning and Community Development. The Office of Planning and Community Development has overseen lotteries for over 100 condominium and rental units.

The Office of Planning and Community Development does not own or manage any affordable units in Melrose.

The City maintains a mailing/notification list to notify interested parties of any affordable housing lotteries for both rental and homeownership units in Melrose when the application materials for those individual lotteries become available. 

*** To place your name on our contact list to receive information on future lotteries sponsored by the City of Melrose, please e-mail us with your name, address, and telephone number and with the subject line “affordable housing list.” ***

Lotteries for New Affordable Units within the City of Melrose

  • There are no active lotteries at this time.

Waiting Lists for Affordable Rental Units within Melrose

The following properties maintain their own wait lists for affordable rental units.

You can find more information about these properties and other affordable rental units on the Housing Navigator MA site. 

  1. The Melrose Affordable Housing Corporation owns and manages affordable rentals within the City of Melrose. To learn about the availability of these units, contact Lisa Young at the Melrose Housing Authority at 781-665-1622 or email.
  2. Windsor at Oak Grove maintains a waiting list for the 14 affordable rental units previously offered in a 2007 lottery. To learn more about the waiting list visit the leasing office at 12 Island Hill Avenue, email oakgrove@windsorcommunities.com, or call 781-662-3900.
  3. Jack Flats, 1000 Stone Place, maintains a waiting list for the 19 affordable rental units previously offered in two lotteries held in 2013 and 2014. To learn more about the waiting list visit the leasing office which is located at the Radio Factory at 99 Washington St or email jackflats@windsorcommunities.com.
  4. The Washingtons, 2 Washington Street and 37/47 Washington Street, maintains a waiting list for the 17 affordable rental units previously offered in two lotteries held in 2015 and 2016. To learn more about the waiting list visit the leasing office at 2 Washington Street or call 781-819-3090.
  5. 99 Essex Street maintains a waitlist for 2 affordable rental units previously offered in lotteries held in 2013. Contact link for waitlist requests.
  6. 10 Corey Street maintains a waitlist for 4 affordable rental units previously offered in lotteries held in 2018. Contact Lara Plaskon of RHSO Housing, 978-287-1092 or lara@rhsohousing.org.
  7. 419 Main Street maintains a waitlist for 2 affordable rental units previously offered in lotteries held in 2021. Contact Teddy Lantzakis.
  8. 524 Main Street maintains a waitlist for 1 affordable rental unit previously offered in lotteries held in 2021. Contact Maureen O'Hagan of MCO Housing Services, maureen@mcohousingservices.com.
  9. Windsor Radio Factory, 99 Washington Street, maintains a waitlist for 19 affordable rental units previously offered in lotteries held in 2022. To learn more about the waiting list visit the leasing office at 99 Washington St, email radiofactory@windsorcommunities.com or call (781) 662-2480.

Homeownership and Rental Opportunities in Surrounding Communities

To learn more about homeownership and rental opportunities in surrounding communities call the community directly or visit the following websites:

Other Housing Resources

City of Boston’s Metrolist offers Boston residents with housing information and counseling services

Department of Housing and Community Development’s Housing Assistance Reference Guide provides information for those seeking information on housing for low and moderate income families and households

Workshop and Financial Assistance for First Time Homebuyers

First Time Home Buyers Workshops

Taking a First-Time Homebuyers workshop provides helpful information about the process of purchasing a home, including how to finance a home, understanding your credit history, and learning about financial assistance available. Often, this type of workshop for required for most first-time homebuyer programs and loans. These workshops are an excellent resource and we strongly encourage people interested in purchasing a home to take a workshop. Check the following websites for a workshop near you:

Financial Assistance

To qualify for the following programs, applicants must have taken a CHAPA certified first time homebuyers workshop (see above for listing).

Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance

The City of Melrose offers down payment and closing cost assistance through the North Suburban Consortium (NSC) to income-eligible applicants purchasing a condominium, townhouse, or single-family home in one of the eight NSC communities. The property to be purchased must not exceed the maximum sale price for the particular community in which the house is located. The maximum loan amount is $7,500, with the exact amount determined at the completion of the NSC underwriting process.

Additional information regarding eligibility and how to qualify can be found at the NSC’s website

Loan Programs

Creating Affordable Housing Opportunities

Grants and Loans for Creating Affordable Housing

The City of Melrose is a member of the North Suburban Consortium, which administers federal HOME funds. With these funds, the City has been able to financially support the development of affordable rental and home ownership opportunities within Melrose. HOME funds are available in the form of grants and loans and are administered on a rolling basis. Applications for HOME funds can be obtained through the City’s Office of Planning and Community Development, or 781-979-4190 or download the application at the North Suburban Consortium.