Full poll memo here: www.abundanthousingma.org/2025-city-of...

72% of Way Finders clients and 56% of regional low-income residents strongly support making the PVTA buses free to ride.
www.mass.gov/doc/the-peop...

56% of Way Finders workers who ride the PVTA report a 30+ minute commute. Only 21% of drivers have a 30+ minute commute.
www.mass.gov/doc/the-peop...

61% of Way Finders clients and 49% of regional low-income residents have difficulty traveling to Boston, often for medical appointments. www.mass.gov/doc/the-peop...

81% of Way Finders clients have missed or been late to an appointment, to work/school/childcare, or have been stranded somewhere.
www.mass.gov/doc/the-peop...

Only 19% of Way finders clients who own a car could afford to fix it right away. Only 27% who don't own a car could borrow one or get a ride if they needed.
www.mass.gov/doc/the-peop...

80% of Way Finders clients and 51% of regional low-income residents say transportation expenses are a financial burden
www.mass.gov/doc/the-peop...

The full poll results are posted on our website: www.massincpolling.com/our-work/new...

These slides and the full report are available on our website. Thank you to @bostonfdn.bsky.social and all the other funders and stakeholders on this project! www.massincpolling.com/our-work/ten...

And despite vouchers, many of the lower-income tenants still have trouble making ends meet, limiting their ability to build equity. Tenants having a hard time paying the rent are more likely to report other problems.

But landlords and tenant do report challenges in navigating the system, especially in terms of administration and communication with the housing agencies that manage the program.

Landlords also report a positive experience with MRVP. Most appreciate the consistent rent payments that vouchers provide. Half appreciate the opportunity to help their community.

First Key Finding: MRVP is working well for tenants. Many were living in shelter before their voucher. They like their neighborhoods and report positive non-housing impacts as well.

Key Findings: MRVP is working well for tenants and landlords, but administration and communication can be challenging. And despite the help many tenants are still having trouble achieving economic mobility.

About the Research: The Mass Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) helps over 10k low-income households pay their rent. MPG, working with TBF and a broad group of funders and stakeholders, surveyed tenants and landlords. We followed that with focus groups and landlord interviews.