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Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Roxbury

Roxbury, MA has 54 income-based rental properties with nearly 4,777 units across the neighborhood. Of the 33 properties with available inspection scores, 23 rated excellent and 10 rated good -- with none falling into fair or poor categories. Roxbury also earns an "Excellent Transit" rating of 83 from Walk Score, making it a practical choice for renters who rely on public transportation.

54
Properties
4,777
Total units
91/100
Avg HUD score

At a glance

🏠 Affordability

Affordability

Roxbury has 35 HUD-assisted or income-based properties totaling 3,721 units, making it one of the more significant concentrations of affordable rental housing in the Boston area. Median rent, median household income, and renter share figures are not available in our current data for this area.

Census ACS
🛡️ Safety

Safety

Violent crime rate data for Roxbury is not available in our current dataset. For local public safety information, you can consult the Boston Police Department and the FBI Crime Data Explorer, which publishes agency-reported figures by jurisdiction.

None of the 35 HUD-assisted properties in Roxbury fall within a high-risk flood zone, according to flood map data for this area.

FBI Crime Data Explorer
🚶 Getting around
Walk Score 79 · Very Walkable

Getting Around Roxbury

Assisted housing properties in Roxbury score well for transportation access, according to Walk Score. Scores reflect the area around the assisted properties.

  • Walk Score: 79 - Very Walkable - Most errands can be accomplished on foot.
  • Transit Score: 83 - Excellent Transit - Transit is convenient for most trips.
  • Bike Score: 63 - Biking is a reasonable option for some trips.
Walk Score
🎓 Schools
18 schools · 5 districts

Schools

According to the NCES Common Core of Data, 18 schools across 5 districts serve Roxbury, including 9 elementary, 1 middle, and 8 high schools. Ratings and programs vary by school and district, so renters should check the assigned schools for a specific address before applying.

NCES Common Core of Data
📊 Cost of living

Cost of Living in Roxbury, MA

Roxbury is part of the Boston metro area, where housing costs are among the highest in the country. Affordable and income-based housing can make a significant difference for renters here, and Roxbury has a substantial inventory to draw from.

Lease Lantern has identified 35 HUD-assisted and income-based properties in Roxbury, covering 3,721 units. Rents at these properties are tied to income limits set by HUD, not to the local market rate -- meaning qualified renters pay a share of their income rather than the full going rate.

  • No median household income figure is available in our current data for Roxbury. Income limits for specific properties are set by HUD and will vary by program and household size.
  • Because rents in assisted housing are income-based, the local market rate does not determine what you pay -- your eligibility and household income do.

To understand what you might pay at a specific property, check the individual listing for program type (such as Section 8, HUD-assisted, or LIHTC) and contact the property directly to ask about current income limits and rent levels.

BEA / BLS
🌊 Environment & risk

Flood and Environmental Exposure

All 35 HUD-assisted properties in Roxbury have been mapped for flood risk. None are located in a high-risk flood zone, which is a low level of flood exposure for renters in this area.

FEMA · EPA AirNow
HUD Inspection Scoresavg 91/100(33 of 54 scored)
90+ (23)70–89 (10)No score (21)

54 properties on the map

Top-rated properties

Browse all 54 affordable apartments in Roxbury→

Other cities in MA

› Affordable housing in Boston› Cambridge income-based apartments› Income-restricted rentals in Chelsea› Chicopee affordable apartments› HUD & Section 8 housing in Dorchester› Affordable housing in Fall River› Framingham income-based apartments› Income-restricted rentals in Haverhill› Holyoke affordable apartments› HUD & Section 8 housing in Jamaica Plain› Affordable housing in Lawrence› Lowell income-based apartments

Your rights & resources

› How HUD & Section 8 housing works› Tenant rights in MA› Housing assistance & waitlists› Free legal aid (LawHelp)› Energy bill help (LIHEAP)

Read more

Roxbury Affordable Housing: What Renters Should Know

Roxbury has a notable concentration of HUD-assisted and income-based housing, with 35 properties totaling 3,721 units tracked in our database. Of the 33 properties with available inspection scores, 23 rated excellent and 10 rated good, with none falling into fair or poor -- a strong overall picture for the area's assisted housing stock.

None of the 35 mapped properties fall in a high-risk flood zone, which is a reassuring baseline for renters weighing long-term stability.

Getting around without a car is a genuine strength here. According to Walk Score, Roxbury earns a 79 ("Very Walkable") and an 83 ("Excellent Transit"), meaning most errands and transit connections are accessible on foot or by public transportation.

According to NCES Common Core of Data, Roxbury is served by 18 public schools across 5 districts, including 9 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 8 high schools -- giving families a range of options to research when choosing a home.

Eligibility & how to apply

Massachusetts income limits (2026)Massachusetts public housing authoritiesSection 8 waitlists in Massachusetts

Helpful guides

How Section 8 Vouchers WorkWhat Is Income-Based Housing?How to Apply for Affordable HousingSection 8 vs. LIHTCUnderstanding HUD Inspection ScoresHow Affordable Housing Waitlists Work
Research: what 22,600 HUD inspection scores reveal →