State-Funded Resources for Families: Emergency Assistance Shelter and the HomeBASE Short-Term Housing Assistance Program


Shelters for Families with Children

If you are experiencing homelessness and have a child under the age of 21 or you are pregnant, you and your family may be eligible for placement in a family shelter. The vast majority of family shelter spaces are administered by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), through their Emergency Assistance (EA) program.

To learn more about how to access EA shelter, click here to access the 2011 Emergency Assistance Advocacy Guide from Massachusetts Law Reform Institute.

To see the current income eligibility guidelines, please click here.

Please note that you must apply for EA shelter through DHCD, and cannot directly access an EA shelter placement by contacting the shelters linked below. For a list of local offices across the state where you can apply, please click here (towards bottom of page).

Family Shelters in Greater Boston 

Family Shelters in Metro West

Family Shelters in Southeastern Massachusetts

Family Shelters in Central Massachusetts

Family Shelters in Western Massachusetts

Statewide Family Shelter Community Rooms
*Community room shelter spaces are for families who do not qualify for Emergency Assistance shelter through the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).

* Updates on the 2012 Emergency Assistance regulation changes

Emergency Assistance Data from DHCD (April - May 2012 data; updated 8-9-12)

HomeBASE Diversion and Rehousing Assistance for Families with Children 

If you are experiencing homelessness and have a child under the age of 21 or you are pregnant, your family may be eligible for assistance through the Department of Housing and Community Development’s HomeBASE program.

HomeBASE Household Assistance Flyer from MLRI

HomeBASE Household Assistance Flyer from DHCD, for families in Emergency Assistance shelter (Updated 11-9-12)

HomeBASE Information from the Department of Housing and Community Development

HomeBASE Guidance for Fiscal Year 2013

HomeBASE Income Eligibility Information from DHCD (Updated 8-24-12)

December 2011 HomeBASE Recommendations from the Legislature and Administration

HomeBASE Data from DHCD (Updated 3-22-12)

* To better understand the intersections of the Emergency Assistance, HomeBASE, and RAFT programs, please click here.