Resources

The Human Services Department is committed to providing accessible resources to Watertown residents. This page will be updated regularly. Please come back soon to find more resources related to food access, financial assistance, mental health and substance use services, veterans services, disability supports and more.

Housing Stability

Below you will find resources that will help you find affordable housing, maintain your tenancy, and understand your rights. On Thursday, October 23rd, the Affordable Housing Trust in partnership with the Human Rights Commission, hosted a Fair Housing Training Session for tenants and the public. You can view the recording at www.wcatv.org.

Find Affordable Housing

  • The Watertown Housing Authority oversees the administration and management of housing choice vouchers (ex: Section 8) and state public housing units for families, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. For more information and to apply to the CHAMP public housing centralized waitlist, visit www.watertownha.org or call 617-923-3950.
  • Metro West Collaborative Development is a non-profit that builds and operates affordable housing, and helps households find and keep their homes through supportive programming such as housing clinics, rental assistance, and lottery management. For more information, visit www.metrowestcd.org or call 617-923-3505.
  • The MA Housing Navigator is a State-wide affordable housing database that includes income-restricted rental housing of all kinds. Visit www.housingnavigatorma.org to start your search.
  • MyMassHome provides information about affordable homeownership and first-time homebuyer workshops. For more information, visit www.mymasshome.org.

Maintain Tenancy

Rent Assistance

  • Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) is a State-funded assistance program for eligible residents experiencing a housing crisis. RAFT provides qualified households with up to $7,000 in a 12-month period to support utilities, moving costs and overdue rent. To learn more and apply for assistance, visit www.metrohousingboston.org.
  • To access local financial services, scroll down to Seek Support for a list of community providers who can help you identify resources and apply for assistance.

Legal Assistance

  • Massachusetts Defense for Eviction offers self-guided eviction help for tenants who have received a court summons. Visit www.gbls.org/MADE to review the free guided interview documents for MA residents.
  • MA Legal Resource Finder helps residents search for legal aid offices, and access links to free legal information and self-help materials. For more information, visit www.massLRF.org.
  • Community Mediation Centers offer conflict resolution services and training. Find the center closest to you by visiting www.resolutionma.org.

Know Your Rights

  • MA Attorney General’s Guide to Landlord & Tenant Rights helps renters understand their rights and responsibilities when signing a lease, as well as the laws, regulations and issues related to renting an apartment. Visit www.mass.gov to learn more.
  • Mass Legal Help offers free, practical information about tenant rights. For more information, visit www.masslegalhelp.org.
  • To report housing discrimination in Watertown, you can file a complaint with the following entities:

Seek Support

Contact these providers for help navigating affordable housing, as well as public benefits, social services, and other local supports.

  • Watertown Social Services Resource Specialist (SSRS) Program
    Residents age 18-59
    617-744-9585 (call or text)
  • Watertown Senior Services
    Residents 60+
    617-972-6490
  • Veterans Services
    Watertown Veterans and their Families
    617-972-6483 ext. 12159
  • ADA Coordinator
    Residents with Disabilities
    617-972-6483 ext. 12159
    ADA@watertown-ma.gov

 These resources are also available in brochure format (PDF).