Shelters

Shelters for unhoused individuals

Community Day Center

DAY SHELTER & WINTER OVERNIGHT WARMING STATION

A daytime (only) shelter (except in winter-see below) which serves homeless adults. It provides guests with services and support, including case management to help stabilize and enhance their lives. The Day Center offers computers, fax, telephones, television, snacks, guest speakers, counseling, referrals, and a quiet space for reading, resting, and visiting.

Winter Overnight Warming Station: Opens 1st of December. The Warming Center is open from 7 pm to 7 am each night and will run until April 15th. Guests are provided a warm place to sleep, a shower and laundry facility, and hot meals. People should put their name on the waitlist at the Day Program.

Sign up by coming to the Center at 16 Felton Street 12:30 - 4:00 PM Mon-Fri or calling (781) 392-6311. 

Address: 16 Felton St., Waltham, MA 02453

Phone: (781)-392-6311
Open: Monday - Friday 12:30 to 4:30 PM

Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless

Statewide Individual Shelter Listing - SHELTER DIRECTORY

Wayside Youth Short Stop

Transitional housing for homeless youth ages 18-24. Offers an array of services to children, young adults and families including mental health counseling, educational, community, outreach, day and care services. (Services available organized by region).

Address: 116-118 North St., Somerville, MA 02144

Phone: (611)-776-3377

**NOTE: SITE NOT FOUND**

EA Family Shelters

Emergency Assistance (EA) Shelters are funded by the state Dept. of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) and are administered by the state Dept. of Transitional Assistance (DTA).

Who is eligible for State Emergency Shelter?

• Be a resident of Massachusetts (bring a state ID, lease or utility bill, or a letter from the child’s school or doctor showing an in-state address)
• Have a child under 21 years old or are pregnant
• Meet the income limits
• At least one member is either a US citizen or at least one family member is “PRUCOL” (persons residing under color of law) which includes refugees, asylees, and lawful permanent resident

AND

• You are homeless through no fault of your own (No-fault fire, flood, natural disaster, condemnation, or foreclosure, no-fault eviction) OR  Child(ren) are exposed to a substantial health and safety risk
• You have a place, but one that is overcrowded or unsafe. OR
• You need to leave your current housing due to domestic violence or a severe medical condition;

AND

•  You have no place to stay with family or friends.

Emergency Assistance applicants must provide all requested verifications within 30 days.

To apply by phone: Call (866)-584-0653 and ask to speak to a Homeless Coordinator.
To apply in person: You can apply at any DTA office, 8 AM – 4 PM. Go as early in the morning as possible in order to be seen that day.

Online application is not available 

Closest locations:

• 2201 Washington Street, Boston (Roxbury) - Nubian Square
• 80 Everett Ave, Chelsea

Preparing for your trip:

Documentation:

• Bring all ID documents that you have for all members of your household.
• Bring any documents related to your current or recent housing situation: any eviction notices or letters from your current or last landlord stating why you needed to leave.
• To prove overcrowding or severe violations of the State Sanitary Code, bring a report from the health department/ housing inspector if you have it.
• You must prove that you intend to reside in the state.  Bring a state ID or a utility bill (preferred), or a letter from the child’s school or doctor showing an in-state address.
• Bring any documents related to domestic violence.
• Bring all of your belongings with you, since you may be placed right away.
•  Bring as many members of your household as you can.
•  Bring food and activities for your children as you may need to stay all day at the office.
• Go as early in the day as possible in order to have the best chance of being seen.

During the intake interview:

• You have the right to an interpreter. There is also a Language Line that the worker can call for an interpreter. Basic documents are available in the most common languages.
• You may be asked if you have family or friends to stay with- If that is not a realistic option for you, then say you have no options.
• Get the name and phone number of any staff person you talk to and write it down.
• Ask for documentation of the results of your meeting.  Whatever the outcome, as for a letter that explains what the next steps are.  This will help us follow through with the staff.
• The worker must take your application the same day and must approve or deny it right away if you have no place to stay, or if your health or safety is at risk.
• If a worker tries to convince you not to apply, ask to speak with a supervisor or office director, or call WATCH in Waltham (if you are a Waltham resident) at (781)-891-6689 ext. 203 or Greater Boston Legal Services, (617)-371-1234 or 800-323-3205 (toll-free)
• If you don’t have all the necessary papers, but based on your statements, you seem to qualify, then they must place you in a shelter right away and give you 30 days to get the rest of the papers. They must also help you to get the papers if they can.

State Emergency Shelter Rules for Families with Non-US Citizens

Family Shelters designed for families not eligible for EA shelter through DHCD

Family’s Aid Boston 

Short-term Family Shelters designed for families not eligible for EA shelter through DHCD. Designed for families who are over income for EA benefits. 24/7 hotline.

Address: 727 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA

Phone: (617)-542-7286

After hours phone: (617)-635-4500

Restrictions: City of Boston residents

New Chardon Temporary Home for Women & Children

Need a referral from a DCF worker. There is a waiting list.

Capacity: 18 families, Accepts boys

Restrictions: Must have been ‘clean’ from drugs and alcohol for at least six months

Address: 41 New Chardon Street, Boston, MA 02114

Phone: (617)-720-3611

Project Hope

Our programming is designed to promote confidence and empowerment, helping women find the courage to prevail against tremendous odds to obtain a better life. Families receive assistance finding safe and affordable housing for their families and accessing our educational and workforce development programs.

To qualify you must have a DHCD Letter of Denial and must match eligibility standards for subsidies the organization provides. There is a waiting list.

Capacity: 1 room, room fits one adult and one small child

Restrictions: Accepts boys up to age 14, Guests must be employed,

Contact: Alfredo

Phone: (617)-442-1880
45 Magnolia Street, Dorchester, MA 02115

**NOTE: the updated program could be found here**

Queen of Peace 

The Queen of Peace is a 11 bed family shelter. Provides dinner and breakfast. Clothing when available. 3 week stay maximum. Accepts women & children (boys 4 and under). No intakes on Thursdays.

Capacity: 3 rooms, 11 beds

Restrictions: Does not accept boys over age 4, Does not take men, Guests must be sober, Guests MUST be in the shelter each day by 4:00 PM, leave by 8 AM, Head of household must be over 20

Address: 401 Quincy Street, Dorchester, MA 02125

Phone: (617)-288-4182

Citizens Inn Between

The Citizens Inn Between is an emergency program for families experiencing homelessness. Houses six families at a time, and includes one fully handicapped-accessible room. In this program we also maintain a “community room,” available for families experiencing homelessness who are ineligible for shelter assistance from the state.

Capacity: 1 room, There is a waiting list.

Restrictions: CORI check

Address: 25 Holton Street, Peabody, MA

Phone: (978)-532-2372

Medford Family Life - Transitional Housing

This safe and supportive transitional shelter houses 7 single-parent families at a time. Staff helps parents secure permanent housing and develop the skills to become economically mobile. There is a 18 months time limit and a waiting list.

Capacity: 7 families, Medford families given preference

Restrictions: Applicants cannot have a CORI record, Must have been free from substance abuse for one year, Must be working/in school/ job training, No teenage boys

Address: 2 Central Ave Medford, MA 02155

Phone: (781)-391-9116

Metrowest Interfaith Hospitality Network

This program serves families that are currently experiencing homelessness and have at least one child under the age of 18 living with them. The program offers safe accommodations, meals, clothing, and individualized family coaching, empowering families with the resources and encouragement they need to find affordable housing and develop life skills essential for maintaining stability. There is a waiting list.

Capacity: 4 families

Restrictions: Sober, CORI checks, Adults must be willing and able to be employed, Family must save 80% of income from all sources

Phone: (508)-318-4820 4 families
Address: 13 Common St., Natick, MA 01760

Lazarus House

The program offers advocacy, prepared meals, laundry, guidance, goals, house rules, and accountability – all things that help prepare a family to be self-sufficient. It is a community. It is a family where people share their frustrations, stories and dreams in a safe and loving environment.

There is no waiting list and there is a 5 months time limit.

Capacity: 8 community rooms

Restrictions: Clients must be free of drugs or alcohol, if they have history of alcohol or drug abuse they must be either enrolled in a program or have graduated from a program, Guests cannot have any active restraining orders, Guests cannot have any history of violence.

Address: 48 Holly Street, Lawrence, MA

Phone: (978)-689-8575

Shelters for Women

Shelters for Men

Bristol Lodge Men’s Shelter
An overnight shelter for men. Either self referral or referral by agency. 3 months on/ 3 months off. The shelter also has resources like counseling, clothing by referral, one meal a day, and storage facilities.

Capacity: 45 Men
Restrictions: 18+, Sober, out of shelter 7:45 AM - 6 PM; 7 PM curfew
Contact: Clayton Qualters, Program Director

Address: 27 Lexington Street, Waltham, MA, 02451

Email: bristollodge@mhsainc.org
Phone: (781)-893-0108

The Bristol lodge is a division of Middlesex Human Service Agency, Inc.
Phone: (781)-894-6110