Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 121B § 40

(c) Housing for elderly persons of low income and handicapped persons of low income shall conform to standards established by the department after consultation with the department of public health, the department of public welfare, the secretary of aging and independence and the board of standards and shall be designed so as to alleviate the infirmities characteristic of the elderly or the handicapped; provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the occupancy of an elderly person in a unit designed for the handicapped or a handicapped person in a unit designed for the elderly.

(d) In all housing for elderly persons of low income and handicapped persons of low income there shall be a preference in admission for eligible and qualified applicants who are veterans.