Living room with white walls, hardwood flooring, a decorative fireplace with mantel, multiple windows, a ceiling fan, and with gray sofa, chairs, coffee table, and wall-mounted television.
  • Living room with white walls, hardwood flooring, a decorative fireplace with mantel, multiple windows, a ceiling fan, and with gray sofa, chairs, coffee table, and wall-mounted television.
  • Bedroom with white walls, hardwood flooring, two windows, a white door, and furniture including a bed, nightstands, bench, rug, and table lamps.
  • Kitchen with white cabinets, black countertops, white walls, a gas stove, dishwasher, and sink.
  • Light brown brick apartment building with rows of windows and ground-floor storefronts along a wide street under a partly cloudy sky.
  • Exterior view of a multi-story brick apartment building with balconies, arched entrance, storefronts at street level, and large windows.
  • Wide paved roadway with multiple traffic lanes, yellow center markings, and rows of mature green trees. Low-rise residential buildings and cars line the street beneath a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds.
  • Single-story brick restaurant with dark red awnings, bright yellow patio umbrellas, and a red outdoor barrier along the sidewalk.
  • Row of one-story storefronts with brown brick and green awnings, large front windows, and a sidewalk facing a wide street.
  • Commercial storefronts partially shaded by large green trees, with dark-colored façades, outdoor seating, and wide sidewalks.Commercial storefronts partially shaded by large green trees, with dark-colored façades, outdoor seating, and wide sidewalks.
  • Commercial storefronts partially shaded by large green trees, with dark-colored façades, outdoor seating, and wide sidewalks.Commercial storefronts partially shaded by large green trees, with dark-colored façades, outdoor seating, and wide sidewalks.
  • Wide paved roadway with white lane markings and a bright green bike lane, lined with mature green trees, parked vehicles, and low-rise buildings beneath a partly cloudy sky.
  • Broad multi-lane street with white traffic markings, a green painted bike lane, leafy trees, parked cars, and brick buildings extending into the distance under a cloudy blue sky.
  • Closer view of beige commercial storefronts with blue awnings, glass windows, and adjacent brick buildings framed by leafy trees.
  • Commercial establishment with beige siding, blue awnings, large storefront windows, and neighboring brick residential buildings.
  • Modern four-story building with red and brown brick exterior, large windows, and a ground-floor storefront with outdoor seating.
  • Wide multi-lane street with yellow road markings, rows of mature trees, parked vehicles, and a bright, partly cloudy sky.
  • Wide multi-lane street with yellow road markings, rows of mature trees, parked vehicles, and a bright, partly cloudy sky.
  • Wide multi-lane street with yellow road markings, rows of mature trees, parked vehicles, and a bright, partly cloudy sky.
  • Wide multi-lane street with yellow road markings, rows of mature trees, parked vehicles, and a bright, partly cloudy sky.
APARTMENT RENTALS

1648-1654 Massachusetts Ave

1648-1654 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138

1648-1654 Massachusetts Ave , Income Restricted Apartment Rentals, nestled in Cambridge’s highly desirable Neighborhood Nine, 1offers the perfect blend of timeless New England character and unbeatable urban convenience. Situated directly between the vibrant cultural and transit hubs of Harvard Square and Porter Square, this classic brick apartment community boasts an exceptional Walk Score of 80 and a Bike Score of 90, putting world-class universities like Harvard and Lesley just minutes from your front door.
The sun-drenched interior spaces showcase meticulous historic craftsmanship, featuring original hardwood flooring throughout, soaring ceilings, elegant built-in China cabinets, and spacious living rooms centered around charming, functional fireplaces. Select layouts are thoughtfully designed for modern flexibility, offering private attached offices, small guest rooms, and a rear three-season porch perfect for seasonal relaxation. Complete with on-site laundry facilities and a welcoming, cat-friendly policy, this property delivers the quintessential, highly walkable Cambridge lifestyle in a neighborhood rich with boutique shopping, historic parks, and diverse dining options.

FEATURES

Elevator access
On-Site Laundry
Street Level Retail
Public Transit

NEIGHBORHOOD

The neighborhood surrounding 1648-1654 Massachusetts Ave is a vibrant, historic, and highly walkable urban hub situated directly between Harvard Square and Porter Square. The area boasts an exceptionally high walkability score, placing local cafes, diverse restaurants, and daily necessities right at your doorstep, while also sitting within a short walk of both Harvard University and Lesley University campuses. Commuting is effortless with immediate access to the MBTA Red Line and major bus routes, making downtown Boston reachable in minutes. Tailored to an active lifestyle, the neighborhood is surrounded by fitness studios, specialized athletic shops, and scenic paths along the nearby Charles River, all seamlessly blended into a landscape of charming tree-lined residential side streets and historic brick architecture.

FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED / PROCESS

Please note, this is not a lottery. Applications for 1648-1654 Massachusetts Ave are processed on a first come, first served basis, as apartments become available.

If there is no current availability, applications are added to the waiting list and are reviewed upon receipt to ensure completion and proper documentation only. Applications will then be reviewed for eligibility when they are reached on the waiting list.

Applicants will be emailed upon receipt of their application and upon each application review. Please check your email regularly. 

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY / AVAILABILITY & ELIGIBILITY

1648-1654 Massachusetts Ave is a mixed-income community offering affordable apartment rentals. Eligibility and income restrictions apply. Find current availability and income limits in the table below.

Minimum income limits apply unless the household receives mobile housing assistance (including, but not limited to: VASH, Section 8 and MRVP).

  • Program: 40B
  • Number of Income-Restricted Apartments: 36 (Twenty-Eight 1-Bedroom Units & Eight 2-Bedroom Units)
  • Apartment Sizes: 1 Bedroom & 2 Bedroom
  • Income-Restricted, ADA-Accessible Apartments: 0
  • Maximum Income Limit: 80% AMI (Area Median Income) — Based on HUD Limits
  • Asset Limit: No Asset Limit for 40B

Current Rental Availability

# Beds Total Monthly Leasing Price Lease Term Minimum Income Income Limit (AMI %) Units Available Accessible Units
1-Bedroom $2,725 12 Months — 80% 28 0
2-Bedroom $2,875 12 Months — 80% 8 0

2026 HUD Income Limits

Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area
Household Size50%60%65%80% 120%
1 Person$60,000$72,000$78,000$96,000$138,264
2 Person$68,600$82,320$89,180$109,700$158,016
3 Person$77, 150$92,580$100,295$123,400$177,768
4 Person$85,700$98,760$111,410$137,100$197,520
5 Person$92,600$111,120120,380$148,100$213,322
6 Person$99,450$119,340129,285$159,050$229,123

NEXT STEPS

The next step is to request a rental application, and then complete and submit your application. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is no current vacancy, you’ll be added to our waitlist in the order received. 

Request Application

Free language assistance is available for those whose primary language is not English or have limited English proficiency. For more information or reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, please contact us.

INCOME & ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS / FAQ

How is my income calculated?
The household income is calculated based on the gross income of the household. Commissions, bonuses and other regular payments are included and considered part of the gross annual income.

I didn’t file taxes last year. What do I need to provide?
Individuals or households who did not file taxes must provide a verification of non-filing from the IRS in lieu of a tax return. To obtain the verification of non-filing, applicants should fill out a 4506-T form and file it by mail or hand-deliver it to an IRS office. The IRS will mail back a letter of verification which must be provided with the income materials given to the marketing agent. See the IRS website to download a 4506-T form.

I received a pay raise between the time I picked up an application and the time I was income certified and now I am over the income limit. What do I do?
Income is calculated at the time the applicant submits an application to the lottery agent, not during the application process or at the time of the lottery. Eligibility must be maintained from the time of the application pick up until after income certification verification. Unfortunately, if an applicant’s income is over the income limit, the applicant will not be eligible for the particular unit for which they applied.

I have children in school/college, how does this affect my application?
Income from children under 18 and other dependents in school full-time is not counted the same as other sources of income. Any such earnings above $480 in annual income would not be counted towards the income limit.

Are student loans considered income?
Student loans are not considered income and may not be used to income qualify.

I am separated from my spouse, does this affect my application?
Legally married couples shall both be considered part of the household, even if separated. Applicants with additional questions regarding this policy must speak with the marketing agent/seller.

I would like to appeal a decision regarding income eligibility. How do I appeal? Applicants who are rejected will receive a rejection letter in writing and will be given 7 days for the opportunity to appeal the decision.

PROPERTY & COMMUNITY QUESTIONS / FAQ

What utilities are included in the rent? Heat and Hot water

Is the stove electric or gas? Gas

Is the washer/dryer included?  Not included but there are washer/dryers in the basement for resident use

Is parking available?  No parking available

 Is storage available ?  No storage available

What is the pet policy? Cats allowed. Dogs allowed if registered support animals

Is there a monthly pet fee?  $50 Cat Fee

What is due at Lease Signing? First month rent, last month rent, and security deposit

If you have questions about this property, please contact us.

Tel: – US Relay 711
Email:

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