What MAA Is and Who It Serves

The Multifamily Assisted Housing (MAA) program, also called the Multifamily Housing information for the Homeless (MAHH) program in some states, provides rental information and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered through state housing finance agencies or local public housing authorities.

Unlike some housing programs that focus on a single barrier — such as disability or family status — MAA serves people across different circumstances who share one thing in common: they need both affordable housing and ongoing support to stay housed. The program pairs rental information with case management, mental health services, substance use treatment, job training, or other services depending on what each person needs.

MAA operates through contracts between HUD and individual apartment communities. This means you do not search for MAA housing in a central database; instead, you look for participating properties in your area and learn about their specific programs and how to connect with them.

Key Takeaways

  • MAA provides rental information combined with supportive services at participating apartment communities, not through a single process process.
  • The program serves people experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness, with priority often given to those with the greatest barriers to housing.
  • Rent contributions are typically based on income, often 30 percent of what you earn, though the exact structure varies by property.
  • Each participating property sets its own intake process and supportive services, so you will need to contact properties directly to learn what they offer.
  • MAA units are scattered throughout regular apartment communities rather than clustered in separate buildings, which means you live alongside other residents.

How Rent and Income Work Under MAA

Under MAA, your rent contribution is usually calculated as a percentage of your income — most commonly 30 percent of your gross monthly income. If you have no income, you typically pay little or no rent while you work with case management to find employment or connect with benefits.

The apartment community or the supportive services provider covers the gap between what you pay and the full market rent. This subsidy comes from the HUD contract, not from the property owner's pocket. As your income increases through employment or benefits, your rent contribution rises proportionally, but you keep more of what you earn than you would in a standard lease.

Income is usually verified through recent pay stubs, benefit statements, or a signed statement if you have no income source. The process is less formal than traditional apartment applications because the program recognizes that people experiencing homelessness often lack standard documentation.

Supportive Services Included in MAA

The services bundled with MAA housing vary by property and by the population the property serves. Common services include case management (help navigating benefits, housing stability, and life goals), mental health counseling, substance use disorder treatment, employment information, and help obtaining identification or other documents.

Some properties focus on serving people with serious mental illness, others on people exiting the criminal justice system, and others on families with children. The supportive services are designed to address the reasons people became homeless in the first place, not just to house them temporarily.

Services are usually provided on-site or through a partner organization, and participation is typically required as a condition of the lease. However, the program recognizes that people need time to stabilize, so services are adjusted based on where you are in your recovery or transition.

Finding MAA Housing in Your Area

Because MAA is administered through individual properties rather than a centralized system, finding available units requires contacting your local public housing authority, homeless services coordinator, or community action agency. These organizations maintain lists of properties with active MAA contracts and can tell you which ones are currently accepting residents.

You can also search HUD's Multifamily Properties database online, which lists properties receiving HUD information by state and city. Filter for properties in your area, then call to ask whether they have MAA units available and what their intake process is.

Many properties work with local homeless outreach teams or shelters, so if you are currently in a shelter or working with a case manager, they may already know which properties are accepting residents and can help you make contact.

The Lease and Your Rights as a Resident

When you sign an MAA lease, you have the same legal rights as any other apartment resident in your state — protection from unlawful eviction, the right to a habitable unit, and the right to privacy. The lease will specify your rent contribution, the lease term (usually one year), and any house rules.

The lease will also outline the supportive services you are expected to participate in and what happens if you do not. Typically, missing services does not when ready end your lease, but repeated non-participation can lead to eviction. The property is required to give you notice and a chance to cure the problem before terminating the lease.

You can be evicted for the same reasons as any other tenant — non-payment of rent, lease violations, or at the end of the lease term if the property chooses not to renew. However, because MAA is designed for housing stability, properties generally work with residents to resolve problems before pursuing eviction.

Income Limits and Who Gets Priority

MAA serves people at or below 30 percent of the area median income (AMI), which varies by location. A single person in a high-cost city might have an income limit of $20,000 to $25,000 per year; in a lower-cost area, the limit might be $15,000 to $18,000. Your local housing authority can tell you the specific limit for your area.

Within that income range, priority is usually given to people with the longest history of homelessness, those with the most serious barriers to housing (such as chronic mental illness or substance use disorder), and families with children. Some properties reserve units for specific populations, such as veterans or people with HIV/AIDS.

You do not have to be currently homeless to be served by MAA — being at imminent risk of homelessness (such as facing eviction within 30 days) usually qualifies you. The exact definition varies by property and by the supportive services provider.

What Happens If Your Income Changes

If your income increases, your rent contribution increases proportionally, but you keep the housing stability that comes with a long-term lease. This is different from some benefits programs where earning more money causes you to lose support entirely.

If your income decreases or you lose a job, your rent contribution drops accordingly. You will need to report the change to the property or the case management provider, usually within 30 days. Income is typically recertified once a year, though some properties do it more frequently.

If you earn enough to no longer meet the income limit for the program, you may be asked to move or to transition to a standard lease at market rent. However, most properties work with residents on this transition rather than abruptly ending the lease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be currently homeless to get into MAA housing?

No. You can be served if you are experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness — for example, if you have an eviction notice or are about to lose your shelter placement. The exact definition varies by property, so ask when you contact them.

What if I cannot afford the rent contribution even at 30 percent of my income?

If you have no income, you typically pay $0 or a very small amount while you work with case management to find employment or connect with benefits. As soon as you have income, your contribution begins. The property cannot evict you for inability to pay if you are participating in services and working toward self-sufficiency.

Can I choose which supportive services I participate in?

Participation in services is usually required as part of the lease, but you and your case manager work together to decide which services fit your needs. You cannot refuse all services, but you can decline specific ones if they do not explore to your situation — for example, substance use treatment if you do not have a substance use disorder.

What happens if I want to move to a different apartment?

You can move to another MAA property if one has availability and accepts you, or you can transition to standard housing once your income is stable. Some properties help residents move to market-rate housing as part of the program's goal of housing stability, not permanent subsidy.

Is there a waiting list for MAA housing?

Most properties maintain waiting lists because demand exceeds availability. The length of the wait varies by location and property. Your local housing authority or homeless services coordinator can tell you typical wait times in your area and help you get on lists at multiple properties.