Shelters for unhoused individuals
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.
16 Felton St., Waltham, MA 02453 (781) 392-6311
Hours: M-F 12:30 to 4:30 pm
Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless
Statewide Individual Shelter Listing - SHELTER DIRECTORY
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).
Call 508-879-9800
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 x203 or Greater Boston Legal Services, 617-371-1234or 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
Shelters for Women
Bristol Lodge Women’s Shelter
An overnight women's shelter. Either self-referral or referral by the agency. 3 months on/ 3 months off. The shelter also has counseling, one meal a day, clothing by referral, and storage facilities. If you need a bed, you must complete a pre screening.
To complete pre-screening, call 781-893-0108, Monday through Friday. Phone calls are accepted beginning at 9:00am.
Capacity: 12
Restrictions: Sober women; Open Daily 4:00pm-8:00am
Contact: Annette Poirier, Director bristollodge@mhsainc.org
781-894-6110
Capacity: 10 women
Restrictions: Sober, curfew
Open: 24/7 365 days
Capacity: 81 people per night
Restrictions: Women only, curfew
Capacity: 20 women. Obtaining a bed based on a lottery system done most mornings. However, if a bed is unavailable, staff will help find a bed at another shelter.
Restrictions: Sober women, 18+ years old
617-442-9322
617-628-3015
Capacity: 8 women
7 Bishop St, Framingham MA 01702
508-231-4516
Capacity:10
Restrictions: Sober
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
Restrictions: 18+, Sober men, out of shelter 7:45am-6pm; 7pm curfew
Contact: Annette Poirier, Program director
27 Lexington Street
Waltham, MA, 02451
bristollodge@mhsainc.org
781-893-0108
The Bristol lodge is a division of Middlesex Human Service Agency, Inc.
781-894-6110
Capacity: 14
Restrictions: Sober, free of acute psychiatric emergency
Hours: 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week.
11 Garden St.
Cambridge, MA, 02138
617-661-1873
info@firstchurchcambridge.org
Contact: Jim Stewart
Capacity: 100 +
540 Columbia Rd.
Dorchester, MA, 02125
Capacity: 206
617-892-9100
Capacity: 40 men
Restrictions: Sober
Officers: Majors Douglas: Douglas.Hart@use.salvationarmy.org
Judy Hart: Judy.Hart@use.salvationarmy.org
Capacity: 18 sober, 10 not-sober
Restrictions: Sobriety; 10pm curfew