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Homeless Shelters
Adult/Individual Shelters
Individuals and couples without children must rely on the individual shelter system that provides beds on a first come, first served basis.
Rhode Island - Centralized Shelter Placement: Coordinated Entry System
- Day Shelter to Target problems on "Methadone Mile" - MGH Community News, June 2017
- Program Highlight: Rosie's Place - MGH Community News, May 2016
- More than just a shelter, Rosie's Place offers a variety of services for women in need including information and referral and support, showers, laundry, lockers, meals,ESOL classes, computer and citizenship classes and some limited tutoring, such as for those in the final stages of preparing for the HiSET exam (High School Equivalency Testing program – formerly the GED) or citizenship test. They also have some limited funds for emergency cash assistance such as for homelessness prevention.
- Proposed HUD Rule Would Strip Transgender Protections at Homeless Shelters, MGH Community News, May 2019
Adult Medical Shelters
- Medical Respite: Barbara McInnis House
- Main number: 857-654-1700; Admissions phone number: 857-654-1760; for weekend admissions use the administration number: 857-654-1840
- Tour Notes 7/12- Includes information on staffing, services, insurance coverage and daily life. - MGH Community News, August 2012
- Kirkpatrick House - McInnis Step-Down - MGH Community News, May 2016
- Opened June 2016; 20 bed medical respite shelter; step-down unit from the Barbara McInnis house. Closed referral process- admission from McInnis House.
- Storing Diabetes Supplies- The Pine Street Inn, South Hampton Street (Men), and Woods Mullen (Women), all have the ability to accommodate guests with diabetes. All three shelters have clinics and can help individuals store their medications.(1/23)
- Shelter Special Medical Needs Beds - a few Boston area shelters have specialty beds for individuals with medical needs. Most shelters require guests to leave during the day. These specialty beds allow shelter guests with medical needs, but who do not qualify for McInnis House's level of care, to remain in the shelter during daytime hours with medical monitoring by the Barbara McInnis clinic team. Referrals go through McInnis House- Main number: 857-654-1700; Admissions phone number: 857-654-1760; for weekend admissions use the administration number: 857-654-1840
- Bridgewell Recuperative Care Center - homeless respite in Lynn. Eligibility: patients must be 18 or over, lack suitable housing, need an environment in which to prepare or recover (and sick enough to require more than a simple shelter can provide), and either have a Lynn Community Health Center PCP or live in the Lynn area (shelter, car, street). More information: MGH Community News, August 2019
- Tips/Additional Info
- CPAP- most individual shelters have limited beds in proximity to an electrical outlet; they cannot guarantee access and it usually takes awhile to become established in a shelter before getting an outlet-accessible bed. (Per Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program, 6/19)
Young Adults - please see STAFF reference guide (8/22) and Patient Handout- Local Individual Shelters that Accept Self-Referral for latest updates
- Y2Y Harvard Square- Young Adult Homeless Shelter. Offers a unique youth-to-youth model to transition young adults out of homelessness. In addition to shelter they provide referrals to partner service providers and volunteers and experts offer programming, including workshops in legal aid, career readiness, and creative expression. Y2Y offers two kinds of stays, 30-night stays and 1-night stays, both available by lottery.
Generally open October 15 to April 15; 2024 closed 4/15 and scheduled to reopen on 6/10. Please see their website for current dates.
Eligibility: anyone between the ages of 18 and 24, or 25 as long as they were 24 on November 1.
Process: admission process instructions
Case managers, social workers, and other individuals may enter the lottery on behalf of someone else. If you are entering the lottery on behalf of someone else, make sure that person is aware you are doing so, and ready to accept a bed immediately. Make sure no one else is entering the lottery on behalf of that person, since double entries may lead to disqualification.
Questions? email info@y2ynetwork.org
More information- See the website: http://y2yharvardsquare.org/
- Liberty Village - 69 Alleghany St in Roxbury Crossing. 16 bed emergency shelter for young adults ages 18-25 who are struggling with homelessness. The program is designed to provide case management and supportive services in a collaborative, strengths-based environment with a focus on permanency. Accepting new clients Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm. Referrals: for the program can be made by either sending an email to libertyvillage@thehome.org or or by calling 857-308-3255.
- BAGLY Host Home Program (Boston Alliance of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Youth)
- Provides safe temporary housing to LGBTQ+ youth/young adults (ages 18-24) experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. Host homes are offered for up to 6 months. More information.
- Warming Shelter for Young Adults- Bridge Over Troubled Waters - 47 West Street, Boston. Open in Winter.
Available for clients 18 – 24 years of age. Requires a valid I.D. for admittance. Hours: 10:00PM - 1:00 AM each night. After 1AM a guest may be accepted if accompanied by a police officer or telephone referral from another program asking for assistance. Call 617-423-9575 ext. 234 or 233 to refer. Guests may remain in the space till approx. 8AM to rest quietly on couch or chairs; there will be no TV, computers, etc. available for use overnight. There is capacity for about 12 guests.
Questions? Call Stephen Keizer at: 617-423-9575 ext. 204 during the day.
- Family Shelters/Emergency Assistance (EA)
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New Rules Effective March and April 2025
- New Lawful Status Requirement
- Each member of the family must have an eligible immigration status. However, if a child in the family has an eligible immigration status, that satisfies the immigration status requirement for the family.
- Document examples: US passport, green card, documentation that the US is aware of the person's presenece and is not trying to make that person leave the country right away
- New Residency Requirement
- Each member of the family must be a resident of Massachusetts who intends to remain in Massachusetts permanently or indefinitely. The family must provide documents for all adults over 18 to prove this.
- Document examples: MassHealth or public benefit from MA registration, voter or school registration, any MA ID, bill or insurance document with a MA address
- New Eviction requirement - the eviction must have been from a Massachusetts address
- Ending Presumptive Eligibility - the administration will generally no longer place people who appear to be eligible and give them 30 days to obtain documentation, with some exceptions outlined below.
- Generally, to be placed into EA family shelter families must submit the following:
- Proof of Identity
- Document examples: state issued driver's license, birth certificate or passport
- Proof of family relationship
- Document examples: Birth certificate, custody paperwork
- Consent to a CORI check
- Attest to newly required updates to Massachusetts Residency and Citizenship and Immigration status
- Exceptions - 30 Day Placement with Temporary Verification Waivers- where applicants who appear eligibile based on their statements may be placed with verifications pending - when the household:
- is newly arrived in the Commonwealth for the first time within the preceding 90 days
- at imminent risk of domestic violence or child safety concerns;
- includes family member with an intellectual or developmental disability
- includes a family member who is qualified as a veteran and who is not enrolled in services specifically tailored to veterans;
- includes a family member with a high-risk pregnancy or who has recently given birth;
- includes a family member who is less than 3 months old;
- became homeless due to fire, flood, or other natural disaster in Massachusetts, or
- has other "exigent circumstances warranting a discretionary waiver"
- (These exceptions details were releasted in April 2025)
- Flyers describing these changes: English | Spanish | Portuguese | Haitian Creole
- Additionally, there is a new Bridge Track 6 month time limit (previously 9 months, and prior to that there was no pre-determined time limit, but stays were based on need)
- Reduction/elimination of extensions/waivers - under rules released in April 2025 there is now a one-time 30 day "Hardship Waiver" extenstion upon request and approval.
- To qualify for a Hardship Waiver, a family must show one of the following:
- A family member who is under 6 years of age (5 years and 364 days or younger) at the time of the family’s LOS Limit;
- A family member who is a veteran and who is not enrolled in services specifically tailored to veterans;
- A family member with a documented high-risk pregnancy;
- A family member with a documented disability (defined as a family member with an intellectual or developmental disability as verified by a medical provider; or a family member who receives SSDI or SSI ; or a family member who has a disability as verified by DTA); or
- Documented risk of imminent harm due to domestic violence concerns
- Only one Hardship Waiver will be granted regardless of numbers of criteria that qualify a family for a waiver.
- Requests for a Hardship Waiver must be submitted on a form or medium provided by EOHLC at least 30 days prior to a family’s LOS Limit. Late requests may be accepted at EOHLC’s sole discretion with documented good cause.
- As part of the waiver request process, families may be required to undergo a clinical evaluation to assess whether they meet one of the criteria. Families may choose how they have their assessment completed:
- Families may submit for a Hardship Waiver reconsideration if denied.
- Source and for more information for this section: Bridge Shelter Track Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter Length of Stay Policy
- Rapid Shelter Track time limit remains at 30 BUSINESS days.
- Updates as of December 10, 2024
- Families will be assessed according to their risk and need and directed to either the system’s Rapid Shelter Track or the Bridge Shelter Track (families will be assigned - will not be able to choose between the two tracks.) Stays in the Rapid Shelter Track are expected to conclude in 30 business days. Stays in the Bridge Shelter Track are expected to conclude currently within 9 months (learn more.) Governor Healey is seeking legislative approval to impose a six month time-limit.
- Rapid Shelter Track
- The Rapid Shelter Track involves families who "have strengths and needs that position them to rapidly find self-sufficient permanent housing." They will be offered 30 BUSINESS days of intensive support at Temporary Respite Centers to receive assistance with transitioning quickly to stable, permanent housing – many with stabilization services available through HomeBASE – as well as assistance with and referrals for work authorizations, job placements and English classes.
- These changes will allow families to stay at TRCs longer, increasing the maximum time from five business days to 30 business days, with some allowance for extensions. This shift is responsive to exit data trends and feedback from providers and is more aligned with the amount of time needed to exit to safe housing, especially when leases are involved.
- Families will not be able to choose between tracks. Families who are given access to intensive services at a TRC will not be eligible for placement in the Bridge Shelter Track.
- Learn more: What is the Rapid Shelter Track?
- Bridge Shelter Track
- The Bridge Shelter Track is meant for more high-risk families and those with more complex needs that take longer to resolve to find permanent housing – they may be women who have a late-term pregnancies, people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
- Families in this track are currently eligible for up to 6 months (new limit as of 3/7/25), with the possibility of up to two 90-day extensions. The goal for families in the Bridge Shelter Track is the same as the Rapid Shelter Track – help them transition to stable, permanent housing as quickly as possible, as well as connect them with work authorizations, job placements and English classes.
- Gov. Healey is seeking legislative approval to limit these stays to six months and reduce the number/type of available extensions.
- Learn more: What is the Bridge Shelter Track?
- EA Shelter Contact List (waitlist) and Priorities
- EA Family Shelter Contact List
- Changes that started December 10, 2024
- Families with higher relative risk and need (priority 1-3) will be directed to the appropriate traditional EA shelter model, focused on a placement with the right type of provider and site to best serve their needs.
- We are also adding a new priority 2 status for families with a family member with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD).
- If there are no EA shelter units immediately available, prioritized families (priority score of 1-3) will continue to be eligible to temporarily stay at a Clinical and Safety Risk Assessment sites.
- Families who are determined as able to be rapidly rehoused (priority 4) will be placed in a TRC shelter, with a 30-business day Length of Stay.
- Family Welcome Centers (FWCs)
- These centers can help connect to state services like food and cash benefits as well as basic supplies like diapers and hygiene products.
- FWC closures and new hours (6/25):
- Mattapan FWC: 1626 Blue Hill Ave., Mattapan
- Closed Monday, June 30, Tue, July 1 and Friday July 4, 2025
- Open Wednesday, July 2 and Thursday July 3.
- The new hours of operation are:
- Wednesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Saturdays & Sundays: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
- After Sun, June 29, 2025 the FWC will be closed every Mon & Tue. Families needing emergency assistance on Mondays and Tuesdays should visit a local EOHLC office.
- Allston Family Welcome Center, 14 Harvard Ave, Allston, MA - last day of operation: Sunday 6/29/25
- Hours:
- Sat: 9:00am – 3:00pm
- Sun: 9:00am – 3:00pm - last day of operation: Sunday 6/29/25
- You CANNOT apply for Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter at this location
- Quincy Family Welcome Center -
CLOSED Permanently 6/2025
General EA Information
Emergency Assistance (EA) is the state's emergency shelter program for low-income families (pregnant women or families with children under age 21). Housing search advocacy is provided in group shelter settings.
More detail, advocacy tips, regulations, etc - see Other EA Program Information
To Apply
The EA program is administered by the the MA Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC). (Known prior to 5/30/23 as the Dept. of Housing & Community Development [DHCD]). Families can apply either:
- Online application - see the flyer with QR code (in multiple languages) that can be shared with families.
- Advocacy tip: The online application has the potential to be very helpful, but as we don't yet have much experience with it, it remains to be seen if there are issues or concerns with the technology or process. GBLS staff are interested in tracking problems, advocates (please do not share these contacts with families directly) may contact any of the following for greater Boston residents: Elizabeth Alfred, Senior Attorney ealfred@gbls.org, Laura Massie, Senior Attorney, Lmassie@gbls.org, Adam Hoole, Lead Paralegal, ahoole@gbls.org, Grace Filohoski, or Staff Attorney, gfilohoski@gbls.org.
- By phone: 866-584-0653, Mon to Fri 8-4
- Call as early in the day as possible
- Should I apply by phone? Easiest if already receiving TAFDC, EAEDC or SNAP and therefore are in the Dept. of Transitional Assistance (DTA) computer system called BEACON. EOHLC workers should have read-only access to BEACON where they can see many of the needed verifications. If you are not already receiving DTA benefits you will need to provide certain documents, so to apply by phone you need access to a fax machine or a scanner and e-mail.
- If on repeated attempts you are are unable to get through, MA Coalition for the Homeless advises that advocates may escalate the issue by contacting EOHLC’s Director of Field Operations Alvina Brevard or Attorney Adrian Walleigh. Please not this contact information is for advocates’ use only; please do not share these resources with patients/families directly. (6/20)
- In Person - at select offices. Please see website for offices and hours: mass.gov/how-to/find-emergency-family-shelter or new arrivals can go to one of the Family Welcome Centers that assist with applications.
Families should call or appear as early in the day as possible (as the process can easily take all day, or even several days), but no later than 4 pm.
See more Practical Applying Tips.
Language Access policy- as a result of a legal settlement agreement (in August 2017), EOHLC (DHCD at that time) has adopted a language access policy.
- Limited English Proficient (LEP) families are entitled to receive language access services at all EOHLC offices, hearings division, and shelters.
- Each family will be asked at intake which language they prefer to communicate in.
- Each family will be given a one page sheet with language access information.
- Oral interpretation will be available when EA communications and documents are not translated into a family’s language, including at shelters.
- EOHLC has appointed a Language Access Coordinator to oversee EA language access services and act as a point person for questions and concerns related to language access services. Previously, there was no designated staff member to oversee language access issues. The current coordinator is Brenda O’Donnell, Brenda.ODonnell@state.ma.us or 617-573-1381.
- More information: Emergency Assistance Family Shelter Language Access Settlement, MGH Community News, October 2017
If ineligible for EA or outside of business hours: consider Family Shelter Community Rooms- there are a limited number of "Community Rooms" available across the state. There is a high demand for these rooms- call to check availability.
Financial Eligibility
Income - countable income limit of 115% FPL
- TAFDC, EAEDC, SSI, veteran's benefits and child support count as income for determining EA eligibility.
- SNAP benefits do not count as income
- See Income Advocacy Tips for more information
Assets- the countable assets limit for EA is $5,000. (The value of one non-recreational vehicle is not counted.) More on countable and non-countable assets on our details page.
Categorical Eligibility - in addition to income eligibility, must meet ALL of the criteria below:
EA Shelter Rights & Responsibilities
20 mile rule - until April 2025 families had a right to be placed within 20 miles of their home community (if desired) and, if no space was available, the right to be transferred back within 20 miles of their home community as soon as feasible. The new regulations loosen requirements that HLC place families within 20 miles of their home community, remove language detailing families’ rights to be moved closer to home “at the earliest possible date” and eliminate grounds for appeal and other rights related to this former requirement. See full regulations: 760 CMR 67.00 - Eligibility for Emergency Assistance (EA) (redlined version) - see 67.06 and 67.09(1)(d)
Proposed Settlement Could Bring Big Changes to Mass. Family Shelter System, MGH Community News, March 2023
Other EA Program Information
- EA Emergency Regulations: 760 CMR 67.00 - Eligibility for Emergency Assistance (EA) (redlined version)
- EA Prioritization Guidance:Learn more about the Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter Contact List | Mass.gov
- Bridge Shelter Track Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter Length of Stay Policy
- CORI Policy
- EA Public FAQs
- Family Facing Flyers: EA Eligibility Flyer
- Helpful Websites:
- EA Advocacy Guide - from masslegalservices.org - please note 2023 date; due to rapid changes in 2024, some sections are outdated, particularly shelter types and new length of stay limits. See updates above.
- See our EA Detailed Information & Advocacy Page or specific sections:
Types of Shelter, Shelter offers - rights and responsibilities, housing search services, and rights and responsibilities (including compliance and avoiding termination and the resulting 12 month bar).
- Once in shelter - Shelter Rules: Uniform Shelter Program Rules, Guidelines and Forms
- EA Shelter Interruption Form
--A family can only use EA shelter one time within 12 months. Once a sheltered family leaves shelter, they are ineligible for shelter for the next twelve months. Advocates, such as Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, are advising all families to submit a shelter interruption statement upon leaving shelter, in case the new situation becomes untenable within this 12 month period. The shelter interruption statement documents a request, and then DTA approval, for a temporary move.
- EOHLC Constituent Services (for issues in shelter): 617-573-1377
- Language Access
EA In the News
Family Welcome Centers (FWCs)
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