SNO Mass Housing Mobility Program

Neighborhood Matters

It has a BIG impact on your family. 
It can influence your family’s health, the quality of your child’s education, their future income and quality of life.

It is a BIG decision.
You shouldn’t have to rush into taking any apartment just because it is available. It has to be the right place for your family. We will provide you with one-on-one counseling, tailored to your needs, to help you make an informed decision.

You have CHOICES.
SNO Mass can help you with the choices that matter most to you and your family

Benefits of the SNO Mass Program

Dedicated counselors that provide you with helpful information to use when deciding whether to move and, if so, to which community that is best for your family.

Pre-move housing search help connects you to available landlords and units.

Financial Assistance is available to help with moving costs, security deposits, and other fees, such as children’s sports and other activities.

Post-move counseling is there to support you in your new neighborhood.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the SNO Mass program you must:

• Be a Metro Housing or LHAND federal Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher participant
• Have at least one child in your household under the age of 18
• Be in good standing with your landlord and voucher provider (Metro Housing or LHAND)

Information for Landlords

Why Rent to a SNO Mass Family?

• Helping a family have a better future
• While we know that property owners are in the business to make a return on their investment, an ancillary benefit of renting to a SNOMass family is that the landlord is helping a family with children have a chance for a better life.
• You could help a child become a doctor, lawyer or even president.

Rent guaranteed even in economic downturns

• Voucher holders pay only 30% of their income towards rent and the rest is paid by Metro; if their income decreases, the portion that Metro pays goes up.
• Voucher holders therefore are a safe bet irrespective of their income or credit.
• SNOMass rent ranges are more generous than a typical rent range for voucher holders to allow them to enter high-cost neighborhoods.

SNOMass Staff Serve as Liaisons during the leasing process and for two years after

• We return phone calls and emails within 24 hours. We help collect and review all paperwork.
• We remain a point of contact for two years after leasing up if any concerns arise.

Expedited leasing processes

• Metro will schedule inspections within one business day of after the property owner submits the request to rent to the SNO Mass applicant.
• Metro will then complete the inspection within 3 business days if the unit is available for inspection or within 3 business days of the date of availability.
• If the unit passes inspection, Metro will then be ready for leasing within 24 hours.

Signing bonus for the landlord/property owner – A property owner who rents to a SNO Mass family is entitled to a $1000 bonus; $500 is awarded at lease execution and the remaining $500 is awarded at the one-year mark if:

• The landlord renews the lease with the original SNO Mass family, or
• The landlord rents to a different SNO Mass family, or
• The family moves out and there is damage more than any security deposit.

What is a High Opportunity Area?

SNO Mass high opportunity areas are neighborhoods that have educational, health, and socioeconomic benefits for your family:

• High-quality public schools
• Parks and green spaces
• Supermarkets with healthy food options
• Low poverty rates
• High employment rates

The SNO Mass team will provide custom housing search and support to help determine which opportunity areas are best for your family.

Click here to see a map of Metro Housing and LHAND’s opportunity communities.

How will SNO Mass Help You to Move to a High Opportunity Area?

SNO Mass provides Special Supports to families who choose to move to a high opportunity area:

• Help with housing search
• Apartment listings in opportunity areas
• Potentially higher voucher value
• Information on schools and assistance with transfers
• Financial assistance, such as moving costs and security deposits, before and after you move

The SNO Mass team will continue to support you after your move to assist with the transition into your new community.

• Providing assistance in locating resources and services in your new  community.
• Trouble-shooting any issues that might arise.

Eligibility Requirements

Please read these eligibility requirements carefully before completing the interest form below. To be eligible for the SNO Mass program you MUST:

• Be a Metro Housing or LHAND federal Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher participant
• Have at least one child in your household under the age of 18
• Be in good standing with your landlord and voucher provider (Metro Housing or LHAND)