Families are placed in our shelter units through the Department of Transitional Assistance. If you need shelter immediately, please refer to the information below.
Get Help
Families
If you are homeless and already receiving TAFDC, please contact your case worker to determine eligibility for Emergency Assistance Family Shelter. Otherwise, please contact your local DTA Office.
Adults
Shelters for individuals and couples without children provide beds on a first come, first served basis. The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless keeps an up-to-date list of all shelters in the state. Individuals should call the shelter directly to check availability.
Adolescents
The following list of shelters generally offers temporary shelter to youths 12 to 17 years old. Please review the qualifications carefully to make sure you are eligible for the shelter and if you need a referral to enter the shelter.
Victims of Domestic Violence
All shelters for domestic violence survivors have 24-hour hotlines, and generally accept only women who are in imminent danger. Often, they will refer women to a “Safe House” outside of her own community.
Partner Agencies
Housing stability is so much more than having shelter. In addition to our many services, Housing Families works with other nonprofits in Massachusetts to connect families to additional services and resources that are helpful during a time of instability.
Food Assistance
Food pantry: Bread of Life, Project Bread
Food stamp applications:
Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance
Food assistance for mothers:
Women/Infant/Children (WIC)* – 1-800-942-1007
* Eligibility is low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk.
Energy Assistance
Heat assistance: Citizens Energy
Fuel assistance and other utilities:
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Utilities arrearage:
Arrearage Management Programs (AMPs); or contact your local utility provider
Career & Education
Career centers: Labor and Workforce Development
College scholarships: One Family*
Job search: Career Collaborative
*Eligibility is homeless and formerly homeless mothers.
Child Care
Resources and referral agencies:
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care
Child care: Horizons for Homeless Children*
*Eligibility is homeless children and their families
Other Resources
- Community Action Agencies (CAA) to find local CAA may provide a variety of programs including, but not limited to fuel assistance, Head Start and housing services.
- The United Way’s Mass 2-1-1 connects you to variety of resources and referrals for low-income families in crisis.
- MassResources.org provides information on a variety of services available to low-income families in crisis.
- Mass Coalition for the Homeless provides information on a variety of services available to low-income families in crisis.
- Catholic Charities provides a wide variety of services to help those in need.
- Tailored for Success collects and offers career clothing for low-income adults.
- Furnishing Hope of Massachusetts provides furniture for families transitioning out of homelessness.
- Eliot Community Human Services offers counseling and crisis evaluation services.
