Office of Housing Stability
We help residents find and maintain stable, safe, and affordable housing.
NOTE: The Office of Housing Stability is located at 2 Center Plaza.
Our goal is to put residents on the path to housing stability. We help tenants in housing crisis due to fire, natural disaster, eviction, or condemnation. Call 617-635-4200 to contact us. We also have information on emergency resources for tenants.
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2 center plaza
Boston, ma 02108 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Eviction Help
Eviction HelpThe Office of Housing Stability's Housing Crisis Case Coordinators can help you deal with the eviction process. They may also be able to help you get legal, financial, or other help. Call 617-635-4200.
Talk to your landlord. Try working with them to create a repayment plan for unpaid rent and resolve any issues related to your lease.
Keep copies of important documents like your lease agreement, rent receipts, security deposit receipts, and any written communications with your landlord.
The eviction process begins when a landlord serves you a legal document called a Notice to Quit (Eviction Notice). For more detailed information on how to legally respond to an eviction notice, and the possible court proceedings, visit our eviction process overview page.
Get Legal Help
Each week, the Office of Housing Stability hosts a virtual legal clinic for small landlords and tenants.
The Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) will be joining the OHS Legal Clinic the first Tuesday of every month. VLP will provide an attorney at the legal clinic with the specific goal of helping small landlords navigate the eviction process. If you are interested in learning more about VLP, please contact their office at 617-423-0648.
El Proyecto de abogados voluntarios (VLP, por sus siglas en inglés) se unirá a la Clínica Jurídica de Salud y Seguridad Laboral el primer martes de cada mes. El VLP proporcionará un abogado en la Clínica Jurídica con el objetivo específico de ayudar a los pequeños propietarios a sortear el proceso de desalojo. Si le interesa obtener más información sobre el VLP, por favor, comuníquese con su oficina llamando al 617-423-0648.
In addition to the weekly legal clinics, OHS can connect you with other legal resources.
Free civil legal aid to low-income people in Boston.
Legal services program for those with low incomes in the Boston area.
Get practical information about your legal rights in Massachusetts.
Get lawyer referral services and information at Housing Court.
They offer eviction help for tenants and owner-occupied landlords.
Upcoming events
EventsLandlord resources
The act requires landlords planning to end a tenancy to provide tenants with a Notice of Rights and Resources.
We offer free counseling to landlords to support owner and tenant stabilization.
Landlords in the private market can lease their apartments to families in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.
The City supports landlords who rent to Boston residents moving out of homelessness.
The ordinance requires landlords planning to convert a property to secure a Plan and Permit.
If you're becoming a landlord for the first time, this guide can give you an overview of what to expect.
Internship opportunities
The City of Boston’s Office of Housing Stability is currently looking for Summer 2024 Interns (legal and non-legal) to join our team.
The Office of Housing Stability (OHS) works with residents to find and maintain stable, safe, and affordable housing. Whether responding to tenants in acute housing crises due to fire, natural disaster, and eviction, or collaborating with key partners (like Greater Boston Legal Services) and stakeholders to address chronic housing crises due to systemic oppression, OHS works to ensure that tenants and landlords are well informed and connected to their rights and resources. OHS is made up of a team of incredible staff including Housing Crisis Coordinators and program staff that support new policies and initiatives. We are constantly looking for new ways to partner with undergraduate and graduate students who share an interest in housing affordability, housing justice, and eviction prevention.
Interns with OHS will have the opportunity to learn from staff who are knowledgeable about housing resources for tenants and landlords and work with Boston residents who are at risk of housing instability. Staff include the Director, a lawyer who previously worked with Greater Boston Legal Services, and a trained Housing Court Navigator who conducts daily outreach at the Eastern Housing Court. Interns may also have the opportunity to support the research, development and implementation of new programs and policies that the office is exploring.
This is a 10-week paid internship; 35 hours per week at $24 an hour. Ideally, candidates will be available to work beginning in mid-June through mid-August.
Fellowships accepted.
To join our team, students must submit a resume and cover letter to Kyle Robidoux, OHS Assistant Director, at kyle.robidoux@boston.gov.
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2 center plaza
Boston, ma 02108 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
