Where to Get Help Paying Rent in Norfolk County, Massachusetts
Norfolk County doesn't have a single place to turn to for rental assistance — who you call depends on what part of the county you live. For most people, there are two options running at the same time: RAFT, the state's main short-term rental assistance program (up to $10,000 per household per year), and local organizations that have their own emergency funds for rent or a deposit. Below you will see organizations listed that may help pay rental and related costs, plus free legal help for tenants facing eviction.
In Quincy, Braintree, and Milton, RAFT is administered by Metro Housing Boston. In Randolph, Weymouth, Holbrook, Cohasset, and other parts of the county, NeighborWorks Housing Solutions handles it. Both also offer housing counseling, housing search help, and Section 8 voucher administration in their respective areas. For residents who need more limited rent help or don't qualify for RAFT, Interfaith Social Services and the Salvation Army in Quincy both run local rent payment assistance programs.
RAFT — Massachusetts state emergency rental assistance
RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition) is a state-funded program that provides up to $10,000 per household within a 12-month period to help with overdue rent, utilities, moving costs, security deposits, or first/last month's rent. It is the primary emergency rent assistance program in Massachusetts and the first place most Norfolk County tenants should look.
For Quincy, Braintree, and Milton residents — Metro Housing Boston
Metro Housing Boston administers RAFT and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for 30 Greater Boston communities including Quincy, Braintree, and Milton. They also administer the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), HomeBASE, and a financial coaching program. In-person and phone appointments are available. Contact 1411 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02120 | (617) 425-6700. Website: https://www.metrohousingboston.org.
For Randolph, Weymouth, Holbrook, Cohasset, and other Norfolk County towns — NeighborWorks Housing Solutions (NHS)
NHS (formerly South Shore Housing Development Corporation) administers RAFT for Plymouth and Bristol counties and for parts of Norfolk County including Randolph, Weymouth, Holbrook, and Cohasset. They are also a HUD-approved housing counseling agency and a major regional administrator of Section 8 and MRVP vouchers. Their Quincy office handles walk-ins and appointments; the Kingston office covers the broader South Shore. Website: https://nhsmass.org.
- Quincy office: 422 Washington Street, Quincy, MA 02169 | (617) 770-2227
- Kingston office: 169 Summer Street, Kingston, MA 02364 | (781) 422-4200
Local emergency rent assistance
Quincy Community Action Programs (QCAP)
QCAP is the designated Community Action Agency for Greater Quincy and serves the broader Norfolk County area. Their Housing Program provides emergency rent and mortgage assistance using ESG funding for Quincy residents facing arrears or moving costs, and has additional Norfolk County funding that can help residents with one month of rental arrears.
- QCAP is also a HUD-approved housing counseling agency offering tenant/landlord counseling, eviction prevention resources, and information on Section 8 and MRVP vouchers. Walk-ins are welcome at the main office during business hours. Contact 1509 Hancock Street, 3rd Floor, Quincy, MA 02169. Main: (617) 479-8181 | Housing programs direct line: (617) 657-5376. Website: https://www.qcap.org/our-programs/housing-programs/
Interfaith Social Services — HomeSafe program
HomeSafe is Interfaith's homelessness prevention program, providing direct financial assistance for overdue rent, utility shut-off prevention, and help with medical expenses for residents of specific South Shore towns. Eligible towns: Braintree, Cohasset, Hingham, Holbrook, Hull, Milton, Quincy, Randolph, Scituate, and Weymouth.
- Assistance is available by phone appointment only — call the HomeSafe line at 9:00 AM on Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday mornings (calls taken until capacity is reached). Address is 105 Adams Street, Quincy, MA 02169 | (617) 773-6203 ext. 16 (HomeSafe line). Website: https://interfaithsocialservices.org/homesafe/.
Salvation Army — Quincy Corps
The Salvation Army Quincy office provides limited emergency financial assistance for rent and utility bills as funding allows, with a focus on individuals and families in crisis who have exhausted other options. Social services are by appointment. Call ahead to confirm current rental assistance availability. Contact 6 Baxter Street, Quincy, MA 02169 | (617) 472-2345. Website: https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/massachusetts/quincy/.
City of Quincy — Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
The City of Quincy administers federal ESG funding for homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing, which can include help with rental arrears or moving costs for Quincy residents experiencing a housing crisis. These funds are distributed through nonprofit partners. Contact the Community Development office for referrals and current program availability. Contact (617) 376-1167. Website: https://www.quincyma.gov/departments/planning_and_community_development/community_development/esg.php.
Section 8 and subsidized housing
Quincy Housing Authority
Administers Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing in Quincy. The HCV (Section 8) waiting list opens periodically — contact the authority or monitor their website for openings. Project-Based Voucher applications may have separate availability; check the website. Contact 80 Clay Street, Quincy, MA 02170 | (617) 847-4350. Website: https://www.quincyha.com
Norfolk County housing authorities
Each town's housing authority administers public housing and, in many cases, state-aided voucher programs (MRVP) for local residents. Contact the authority for your town directly for waitlist status and eligibility. Current addresses and phones for the main Norfolk County housing authorities:
- Avon Housing Authority — 1 Fellowship Circle, Avon, MA 02322 | (508) 588-1847
- Braintree Housing Authority — 25 Roosevelt St., Braintree, MA 02184 | (781) 848-1484
- Cohasset Housing Authority — 60 Elm St., Cohasset, MA 02025 | (781) 383-1948
- Hingham Housing Authority — 30 Thaxter St., Hingham, MA 02043 | (781) 741-1417
- Holbrook Housing Authority — 1 Holbrook Ct., Holbrook, MA 02343 | (781) 767-0024
- Milton Housing Authority — 65 Miller Ave., Milton, MA 02186 | (617) 698-2169
- Norwood Housing Authority — 40 William Shyne Circle, Norwood, MA 02062 | (781) 762-8115
- Randolph Housing Authority — 1 DeCelle Dr., Randolph, MA 02368 | (781) 961-1400
- Stoughton Housing Authority — 4 Capen St., Stoughton, MA 02072 | (781) 344-6599
- Walpole Housing Authority — 8 Diamond Terrace, Walpole, MA 02081 | (508) 668-7878
- Weymouth Housing Authority — 402 Essex St., Weymouth, MA 02189 | (781) 331-2323
Free legal help for tenants
Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS)
Provides free civil legal services to income-eligible residents of Norfolk County, including eviction defense, representation at housing court hearings, help preserving public housing and Section 8 tenancies, and eviction record sealing. GBLS appears in Quincy District Court and other courts within its service area as cases arise. Call the main intake line or apply online to see if you qualify. Contact 197 Friend Street, Boston, MA 02114 | (617) 371-1234. Website: https://www.gbls.org/get-legal-help
Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) — ERLI Hotline
VLP's Eviction Right to Legal Information (ERLI) hotline connects low-income tenants (up to 200% of the federal poverty level) across Greater Boston — including all Norfolk County towns — with free legal advice and referrals for eviction proceedings. The hotline is staffed by legal advocates and operates on limited hours; call during the windows listed on their website. Contact (617) 603-1700. Website: https://vlpnet.org/get-help/.
Note on 211
Dialing 211 can connect you to a United Way operator who can provide referrals to local assistance programs. It's a useful starting point for residents unsure where to begin, but 211 referrals may not include all of the programs listed on this page, and availability of funds at any given program changes frequently. Use 211 as a supplement, not a substitute, for calling programs directly.
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