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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. Some of the resources listed below include community rooms, which are family shelters with rooms that are available for families who are not
eligible for Emergency Assistance. There is a high demand for these rooms and thus
they are often full. It is recommended to call them directly to
determine availability.
To learn more about how to access EA shelter, follow these links to access the most recent Emergency Assistance Advocacy Guide from Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI).
To see if your family meets the income eligibility guidelines for EA and HomeBASE, please see the 2022 income guidelines (PDF) The EA and HomeBASE income eligibility standards for applicants are based on 115% of the federal poverty guidelines. For families already in EA, DHCD determines eligibility for ongoing benefits using the standard of 200% FPL.
Applications:
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 and select the city/town you consider your home community or where you are staying. DHCD is promoting the use of a telephonic application process as the number of in-person application sites has been reduced. To apply by phone, call DHCD’s toll-free number: 1-866-584-0653. If you are unable to get to a DHCD office in person and have problems applying by phone, you can call DHCD’s Central Office at 617-573-1106 to ask for assistance.
Greater Boston
Queen of Peace
401 Quincy Street
Boston, MA 02125
617-288-4182
Community Rooms: 11
Total Capacity: 11 beds among families of women and children.
Services: Dinner & breakfast; clothing if available.
Restrictions: Only women and children; no males over the age of 3; must not be heavily reliant on medications, drugs, or alcohol; must be in at 4 pm & out by 9 am.
Referral: Must be called/referred by an agency.
Nazareth House
91 Regent Street
Roxbury, MA 02119 .
617-541-0100
Community Rooms: 3
Total Capacity: 7 DTA families (10 total including community room)
Wait List: Yes.
Services: Advocacy; counseling; transportation.
Restrictions: At least one family member must be HIV positive; 2-year limit.
Admissions Process: There is a waiting list specific to the community room. Must have a referral from the Department of Transitional Assistance and be eligible for Emergency Assistance.
North Shore/Merrimack Valley
Lazarus House Ministries, Inc.
48 Holly Street
Lawrence, MA 01842
978-689-8575
Community Rooms: 7
Total Capacity: 41 beds and seven cribs
Services: Advocacy; limited counseling; 3 meals/day; clothing; medical and dental once a week.
Restrictions: Night shelter only; in at 5 pm and out at 8 am; must be sober while in facility; no boys over 14 year old.
Admissions Process: Can be referred by: social workers; Department of Transitional Assistance; places of worship; hospitals; self.
Metro West
Family Promise Metrowest
13 Common Street
6 Mulligan Street
Natick, MA 01760
508-318-4820
Community Rooms: Only in the day for the 4 families within the program
Total Capacity: 4 families.
Services: Meals; referrals; case management; transportation
Admissions Process: There is a wait list. People can self-refer, or obtain a referral from a social service agency.
Central Massachusetts
Abby’s House
52 High Street
Worcester, MA 01609
508-756-5486
Community Rooms: 10
Total Capacity: 10
Referral: Self.
Western Massachusetts
None known.
* Interfaith Hospitality Networks in Massachusetts
Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Worcester
91 June St.
Worcester, MA 01602
508-755-2212
Community rooms: All
Total capacity: 6 rooms
Family shelter accepting women, men and couples with children
Wait list: Yes
Services: Wide variety of services offered from basic needs to case management.
Restrictions: No active substance abuse or domestic violence
Admissions process: Non-EA eligible families; individuals can self-refer
Montachusett Interfaith Hospitality Network, Inc.
758 Main Street
Leominster, MA 01453
978-466-1704 x13
Community Rooms: Yes
Total Capacity: 5 families
Wait List: Yes
Length of Stay: Short-term
Services: Emergency shelter, food, clothing and intensive case management. Mandatory weekly educational trainings on various life skills topics, such as resume building, interviewing techniques, dressing for interviews, healthy eating on a budget, landlord/tenant rights & responsibilities, parenting, navigating of insurance systems, stress management, etc. Trauma sensitive environment, with yoga classes, therapy animals, a literacy program, a well-stocked playroom, two outside playgrounds, and expansive lawn in which to play.
Restrictions: Families with children, of various configurations. Must not be eligible for EA shelter services. Must be drug and alcohol free, and willing to work toward self-sufficiency/permanent housing.
Referral: Self or community referral. MIHN is generally full. For a family to be placed on the waiting list or to be considered for intake, the family must inquire directly by calling MIHN.
Family Promise Metrowest
6 Mulligan Street
Natick, MA 01760
508-318-4820
Community Rooms: Only in the day for the 4 families within the program
Total Capacity: 4 families
Services: Meals; referrals; case management; transportation.
Referral: There is a wait list. Self; Social service agency.
Family Promise North Shore Boston, Inc.
330 Rantoul St.
Beverly, MA 01915
(978) 922-0787
Wait List: Yes
Services: Meals; temporary shelter; day center with showers, washing machines, quiet room, computer; individual case management.
Restrictions: Current or recent alcohol and/or substance abuse, immediate fleeing of domestic violence situation, criminal history, severe and untreated mental health diagnosis.
**Must be able to live in a communal setting.
Medway Family Shelter
17 Holliston St.
Medway, MA 02053
508-533-1487
Total Capacity: 12 beds among families.
Services: Counseling; 3 meals; some clothing; handicap accessible, referrals.
Languages: Spanish
Restrictions: Requires sobriety.
Admissions Process: Requires a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Pathways Family Shelter (SMOC)
248 Edgell Road
Framingham, MA 01701
508-879-5047
Total Capacity: 13 beds among teen families.
Services: Advocacy; counseling; community kitchen; 3 meals/day; clothing by referral; limited transportation; storage facilities.
Restrictions: Only accepting children, teen couples; sobriety is required on the premises; a 12am curfew is in effect on weekends.
Admissions Process: Requires a referral from the Department of Transitional Assistance to get an Emergency Assistance bed.
South Middlesex Opportunity Council
7 Bishop St.
Framingham, MA 01702
508-620-2623
Total Capacity: 30 beds among families in scattered sites.
Services: Spanish; advocacy; counseling; referrals.
Waiting list: Yes.
Admissions Process: Must have a referral from the Department of Transitional Assistance and be eligible for Emergency Assistance.
MetroWest Interfaith Hospitality Network
13 Common Street
Natick, MA 01760
508-318-4820
Community Rooms: Rotates among 19 congregations
Total Capacity: 4 families.
Services: Meals; referrals; case management; transportation.
Admissions Process: There is a wait list. People can self-refer, or obtain a referral from a social service agency.
A Family’s Place
288 Oak Street, #1L
Holyoke, MA 01040
413-536-2787
Total Capacity: 64 families.
Services: Advocacy; referrals for clothing; medical care; counseling.
Languages: Spanish
Restrictions: Requires sobriety on premises.
Admissions Process: Requires a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Jessie’s House
143 West Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-586-8212
Community Rooms: 2.
Total Capacity: 8 Families.
Admissions process: Requires a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development or a social services agency.
Friendly House
36 Wall Street
Worcester 01604
508-755-4362
Community Rooms: 3
Total Capacity: 13 beds for men and women.
Services: Advocacy; referrals; handicap access.
Admissions Process: Individuals can self-refer for community rooms; otherwise, referrals through the Department of Housing and Community Development are needed. People must call back to check for availability.
Youville House
133 Granite Street
Worcester, MA 01604
508-798-0191
Total Capacity: 12 families
Services: Advocacy; counseling; 3 meals; housing search.
Restrictions: Requires sobriety on premises.
Admissions Process: Must have a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development and be eligible for Emergency Assistance
Carolina Hill Shelter
728 Main Street
Marshfield, MA 02050
781-837-1377
Total Capacity: 16 families.
Services: Advocacy; counseling by referral; 3 meals a day; handicapped accessible.
Restrictions: Must meet Emergency Assistance guidelines.
Admissions Process: Must be eligible for Emergency Assistance and have a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Carriage House
294 Old Main Road
Falmouth, MA 02556
508-564-6485
Total Capacity: 8 families of women and children (approximately 14 people maximum).
Services: Advocacy; counseling; 3 meals a day; handicap accessibility; storage facilities.
Restrictions: No males over 12; shelter is only for young women and first time mothers.
Admissions Process: Must be eligible for Emergency Assistance and have a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Conway House
14 E. Grove Street
Middleboro, MA 02346
508-946-8505
Total Capacity: 12 families.
Services: Advocacy; counseling by referral; emergency food; community kitchen; clothing if necessary; handicap accessibility; medical care nearby; day program.
Admissions Process: Must be eligible for Emergency Assistance and have a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development.
David Jon Louison Child Center—Old Colony YMCA
137 Newbury Street
Brockton, MA 02301
508-584-4315
Total Capacity: 23 families.
Services: Advocacy; counseling; food pantry when necessary; clothing if necessary; handicapped accessible; access to medical care; day programs; transportation for housing appointments only.
Languages: Spanish; Portuguese; Haitian Creole.
Restrictions: Must be sober while on premises.
Admissions Process: Must be eligible for Emergency Assistance and have a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Faith Home Share – Friends of the Homeless of the South Shore
48 Sea Street
Weymouth, MA 02191
781-340-1604
Total Capacity: 26 families
Services: Advocacy; referral resources.
Admissions Process: Must be eligible for Emergency Assistance and have a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development. Those interested in community rooms will be referred to two local churches.
Family Resource Center
11 Peck Street
Attleboro, MA 02703
508-226-5722
Total Capacity: 7 families.
Services: Advocacy; counseling; budgeting; 3 meals + snacks; clothing; transportation.
Restrictions: Parents must be 18 year or older; no independent males older than 17 allowed.
Admissions Process: Must be eligible for Emergency Assistance and have a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development
Housing Assistance Corporation Cape Cod
460 West Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
508-771-5400
Total Capacity: 35+ families, some in scattered sites
Services: Advocacy; counseling; cooking facilities; clothing; handicapped accessible.
Languages: Spanish; Portuguese; American Sign Language.
Restrictions: Sobriety.
Admissions Process: Must be eligible for Emergency Assistance and have a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development
Pilgrim’s Hope
149 Bishop’s Highway
Kingston, MA 02364
781-582-2010
Total Capacity: 10 families.
Services: Food pantry and Fair Programs.
Restrictions: Must be over the age of 18 when not in a family.
Admissions Process: Must be eligible for Emergency Assistance and have a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development
Missionaries of Charity
556 County Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
508-997-7347
Total Capacity: 10 families of women and children.
Services: Food & clothing.
Restrictions:
Admissions Process: Must be eligible for Emergency Assistance and have a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development
Bridge House
24 Baker Street
Lynn, MA 01902
781-593-3898
Total Capacity: 11 families.
Services: Advocacy; counseling by referral; medical care; day programs; transportation, Spanish, and English
Restrictions: Participation in chores is required. Curfew: Weekdays: 10pm; Weekend: 12 am.
Admissions Process: Must have a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development and be eligible for an Emergency Assistance bed.
Renae’s Place for Homeless Families
7 Temple
Cambridge, MA 02139
617- 491-6050
Total Capacity: 10 families
Services: Advocacy; referral; some clothing; counseling.
Languages: Spanish; Haitian; Bengali.
Restrictions: Please call
Admissions Process: Must be eligible for Emergency Assistance.
Children’s Services of Roxbury
504 Dudley St
Roxbury, MA 02119
617-445-6655
Total Capacity: 166 families
Services: Advocacy; case management; housing search; education programs.
Languages: Spanish; Haitian Creole.
Restrictions: No history of violent behavior
Admissions process: Must have a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development and be eligible for Emergency Assistance.
Casa Nueva Vida
53 Glen Road
Western Massachusetts, MA 02130
617-524-6332
Total Capacity: 16 families.
Services: Advocacy; counseling; some clothing; education & English classes.
Language: Spanish
Restrictions: Curfew: Sun- Thurs. 9pm and Fri-Sat 10pm.
Referral: Must have a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development and be eligible for Emergency Assistance.
EMPath Family Shelter
10 Perthshire Road
Brighton, MA 02135
617-782-7600
Total Capacity: 58 families in congregate shelter; 8 families in Mattapan location; 17 units of co-shelter;
Services: Advocacy; counseling; 3meals/day; clothing if available; handicap accessibility; van transportation (to jobs).
Languages: Spanish; Haitian Creole.
Restrictions: Curfews vary depending on location.
Admissions Process: Must have a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development or the Department of Transitional Assistance and be eligible for Emergency Assistance.
Crossroads Family Shelter
56 Havre Street
East Boston, MA 02128
617-567-5926
Total Capacity: 27 families
Services: case management, housing search, meals, clothing, weekly visiting nurse, play space, workshops.
Languages: Spanish
Restrictions: No drug or alcoholic use. Curfew: 9:00 pm curfew Sunday-Thursday; 11:30 pm on Friday & Saturday.
Admissions Process: Must have a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Cross Street Family Shelter
59 Cross Street
Box 440436
Somerville, MA 02144
617-776-6661
Total Capacity: 5 families.
Services: Advocacy; 3 communal meals (families cook their own meals); clothing if available; access to medical care at a nearby clinic.
Languages: Spanish and Creole
Restrictions: Curfew: Sun- Thurs. 9pm and Fri-Sat 10pm.
Admissions Process: Must have a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development and be eligible for Emergency Assistance.
Families in Transition
316 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
617-927-8290
Total Capacity: 22 beds among families.
Services: Advocacy; handicap accessibility; medical care through Health Care for the Homeless; public transportation.
Restrictions: Curfew: Sun-Thurs 9pm and Fri-Sat 11pm.
Admissions Process: Must have a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development and be eligible for Emergency Assistance.
Hildebrand Family Self-Help Center, Inc.
614 Massachusetts Avenue, 3rd Floor
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-491-5752
Total capacity: 126 families in Congregate and Scattered Sites shelter units in Boston and Cambridge
Services: Information and Referral, Case Management, Housing Search and Stabilization. Life Skills workshops and Children’s Programs depending on availability of resources.
Restrictions: Families with children only
Languages: Spanish, French, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole
Admission: Must be eligible for Emergency Assistance and must be referred by the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Mary’s House / Bristol Lodge Family Shelter
62 Church Street
Waltham, MA 02154
781-647-9957
Total Capacity: 8 families.
Services: Advocacy; referral; food; clothing; handicap accessibility; medical care by referral; day program; open 24 hours; transportation access; cook own meals.
Languages: French
Restrictions: Sobriety. Curfew: Sun-Thurs. 9pm. Fri-Sat 11pm.
Admissions Process: Must have a referral from the Department of Transitional Assistance and be eligible for Emergency Assistance.
Nazareth House
91 Regent Street
Roxbury, MA 02119
617-541-0100
Community Rooms: 3.
Total Capacity: 7 DTA families (10 total including community rooms).
Services: Advocacy; counseling; transportation.
Restrictions: At least one family member must be HIV positive; 2 yr limit.
Admissions Process: There is a waiting list specific to the community room. Must have a referral from the Department of Transitional Assistance and be eligible for Emergency Assistance.
Project Hope
550 Dudley Street
Roxbury, MA 02119
617-442-1880
Total Capacity: 11 families.
Services: Counseling; cook own meals; referrals; clothing if available; Spanish; handicap accessible; visiting nurse; day program, job training, social supports, and workshops.
Restrictions: Sobriety; no history of drug addiction or domestic violence
Admissions Process: Must have a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development for Emergency Assistance beds.
Re-Vision House
38 Fabyan Street
Dorcester, MA 02124
617-825-8642
Total Capacity: 22 beds among women and children.
Services: Advocacy; counseling; community kitchen & pantry; medical care through Health Care for Homeless; transportation; storage facilities, stabilization services, day care.
Languages: French Creole
Restrictions: Sobriety (random drug testing); women & children only.
Admissions Process: Must have a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development or DTA and be eligible for Emergency Assistance. Client-based referral for those are between the ages of 18-21. Pregnant women above this age are also eligible.
St. Ambrose Family Inn
25 Leonard Street
Dorchester, MA 02122
617-288-7675
Total Capacity: 19 families.
Services: Advocacy; counseling by referral; food provided; clothing if available; access to medical care; after school program for children; transportation for housing only.
Language: Spanish; Haitian/Creole
Admissions Process: Must have a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development and be eligible for Emergency Assistance.
Margaret’s House
90 Cushing Ave.
Dorchester, MA 02125
617-436-8600 (Intake center)
Total Capacity: 32 beds among women and children.
Services: Advocacy; counseling; referral; clothing; prenatal care; onsite nurse.
Restrictions: Women & children only; must be pregnant or parenting; boys up to the age of 12.
Admissions Process: Must be eligible for Emergency Assistance.
Sojourner House
85 Rockland Street
Roxbury, MA 02119
617-442-0590
Total Capacity: 9 families.
Services: Advocacy; counseling; food pantry; clothing; handicap accessibility; medical care through Health Care for the Homeless; day program; transportation for housing appointments only.
Languages: Spanish; Haitian Creole.
Restrictions: Sobriety.
Referral: Must have a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development and be eligible for Emergency Assistance.
Centerboard
16 City Hall Square
Lynn, MA 01905
781-598-9417
Total Capacity: 272 units for families among the scattered services.
Services: Advocacy; counseling by referral; food by referral; clothing if available; Spanish; not handicapped accessible but will be soon; transportation for housing appointments and emergencies only.
Restrictions: Sobriety; financial stability.
Admissions Process: Must be eligible for Emergency Assistance.
Temporary Home for Women and Children
41 New Chardon Street
Boston, MA 02114
617-720-3611
Total Capacity: 15 families.
Services: Advocacy, counseling; 3 meals/day; limited Spanish; handicap accessible; medical care day program; transportation; clothing if available.
Restrictions: Non-EA eligible; women & children only; no drugs or alcohol; income restriction.
Admissions Process: Referral needed from Department of Children & Family.
Housing Families
919 Eastern Avenue
Malden, MA 02148
781-322-9119 (main)
Total Capacity: 100 scattered sites
Services: Advocacy; referral for counseling; cook own food; clothing; access to medical care; workshops & support groups; transportation to housing appointments only.
Languages: Spanish; Creole; Portuguese.
Restrictions: Sobriety; no active substance abuse.
Admissions Process: Must have a referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development and be eligible for Emergency Assistance.
* Information on the 2012 (FY’13) Emergency Assistance regulation changes (generally still in effect as of September 2022)
EA data from DHCD: Historical caseload data, FY17 to the present and sample quarterly report (from July-September 2021, the most recent report posted, as of September 2022)
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 funding can be used to help you pay for first month’s rent, last month’s rent, a security deposit, an ongoing shallow rent subsidy, etc.
HomeBASE information from the Department of Housing and Community Development
Education of Children Experiencing Homelessness
To learn more about the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness under the federal McKinney-Vento Act, please download the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education poster pictured below, and click here to see a helpful summary from our colleagues at the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute. These rights include rights related to enrollment and transportation. To learn more about our budget campaign related to education transportation for these students, see our FY19 budget fact sheet. Updated guidance from the U.S. Department of Education can be found here (added July 2016).