Listed and defined below are the potential preferences that may apply to an affordable unit. Certain preferences have more weight than others. Please see the rdering of Preferences below to see the overall prioritization of preferences.

Urban Renewal Displacee shall mean persons displaced from the specific property and/or displaced from the relevant Urban Renewal Plan Area by clearance and redevelopment activities carried out by the Boston Redevelopment Authority. Required Documentation:
Proof of displacement by the Boston Redevelopment Authority from the relevant Urban Renewal Area during the official Urban Renewal Period (displacement notice and proof of residency during the Urban Renewal Period in the form of utility bills, voting record, bank statement, record of birth or any other official documents). Boston resident shall mean any individual whose principal residence, where he or she permanently and normally eats, sleeps and maintains his or her normal personal and household effects, is in the City of Boston. Required Documentation: A minimum of two (2) utility bills from separate companies dated within 60 days of application from electric, oil cable gas or telephone. Additional documentation may be required. Household shall mean all persons who intend to occupy the housing unit as their primary residence, whether or not they are on the deed or lease. Legally married couples shall both be considered part of the household, even if separated. Children shall be considered part of the household if they spend more than 50% of the year (183 days, including partial days) in the residence. Everyone included on the deed or lease, whether or not they intend to occupy the unit, shall also considered part of the household.

First-time homebuyer shall mean a Buyer (including spouse, current or former) who has never owned a residential property. The Director of the BRA may at his/her discretion and on a case-by-case basis make an exception for extreme hardship. Applicants applying for an exception must have submitted their request to the Boston Redevelopment Authority's Assistant Director for Affordable Housing Compliance prior to the scheduled lottery date.

BRA certified Artist shall mean an individual who has received a BRA Artist Certification letter. (For a full description of the artist certification process, please request the BRA Artist Certification Guidelines /Application Form from Heidi Burbidge at (617) 918-4306 or Heidi.Burbidge.BRA@cityofboston.gov.) Required Documentation: BRA Artist Certification Letter Household income shall mean the estimated gross income for all household members 18 years of age or older, over the next twelve (12) months, based on the current annualized gross amounts of income from any source, both taxable income and non-taxable income, including, but not limited to: earnings, overtime, IRA distributions, part-time employment, bonuses, dividends, interest, annuities, pensions, Veterans Administration Compensation, gross rental or lease income, commissions, deferred income, welfare payments, social security benefits, disability payments, alimony, support payments, public assistance, sick pay, unemployment compensation, and income received from trusts, business activities, and investments. Required documentation: Two most recent federal and state income tax returns (including all attachments) and W-2s for every household member 18 years or older. At least two most recent pay stubs from pay periods within 60 days of BRA income certification, plus any additional information the BRA may require to certify household income.
Ordering of Preferences
Applicants shall be given preference by the number of applicable preferences that they meet as described here:

1. Individuals requiring handicapped accessible units (for fully built-out accessible units only)



2. Urban Renewal displacee (where applicable)



3. Boston resident, minimum household size, and first-time homebuyer



4. Boston resident and minimum household size



5. Boston resident and first-time homebuyer



6. Boston resident only



7. Minimum household size and first-time homebuyer



8. Minimum household size only



9. First-time homebuyer only



10. None of the above