What is Congregate Housing?
- A unique shared living option for individuals who want independence but also thrive in a community setting. Residents will furnish their private room, but they will also have access to common areas, including the kitchen, living room, and dining room.
- Every resident receives a needs assessment to determine the appropriate program and service package to be authorized. The Congregate Housing Coordinator/Case Manager authorizes services for each individual and reassesses their needs every three (3) months. The Congregate Housing Coordinator is on-site weekly to coordinate services, group meals, resident meetings and completing benefit applications.
- Congregate Housing is not a nursing home or medical care facility and does not provide 24-hour staffing. Residents pay 30% of their income for rent, the rest is subsidized by the state.
- The Congregate Housing sites in North Central MA are in: Ayer, Gardner, and Winchendon
What is the eligibility?
- Be 60+ or non-elderly and disabled (with a documented disability)
- Meet the financial eligibility guidelines for the housing and pass any screening criteria (e.g., CORI, housing history, etc.)
- Be able to participate in a shared living environment
- Be capable of independent living and not require constant supervision or 24-hour care to carry out activities of daily living
How to apply?
- Fill out the CHAMP Application at https://publichousingapplication.ocd.state.ma.us/
- A physical application can be requested or found at https://publichousingapplication.ocd.state.ma.us/download_applications/ and sent to any housing authority an individual is applying to. Paper applications will take longer to be processed than digital applications.
More information
- Learn more at https://www.agingservicesma.org/congregate-housing/
- Contact the Congregate Housing Program staff at Aging Services at 978-537-7411 or 1-800-734-7312 for more information.
Disclaimer: This resource comes as a courtesy from ASNCM. You are hereby notified that Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts does not recommend, guarantee, or assume liability for the performance or lack thereof, for any of the resources listed.
Compiled by the Information & Referral at Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts. (Updated annually 8/2021; revised 8/2021)