Shelters for Unaccompanied Individuals

STATEWIDE INDIVIDUAL SHELTER LISTING

Our Father’s House
55 Lunenburg Street
P.O. Box 7251
Fitchburg, MA 01420
978 345-3050 (open 3pm-7am)

Capacity: 20 men and 8 women (transitional*).
Length of Stay: between 1 and 90 days; length of stay is determined on an individual basis.
Services: Advocacy; 3 meals a day; counseling & medical care by referral; minimal clothing; housing search.
Language: Spanish.
Restrictions: Over 18; dry shelter (no drugs or alcohol); if eligible, one is expected to be looking for a full-time job if they do not already have one.
Referral: Self; social service agencies.

Rowland’s House
57 Mechanic Street
Marlboro, MA 01752
508 481-7847

Capacity: 18 men.
Length of Stay: 60 days.
Services: Advocacy; counseling (not on site); dinner daily (kitchen facilities available for breakfast & lunch); clothing referrals; storage lockers.
Wait List: No.
Restrictions: Sobriety; must manage own supply of medication; 10 pm curfew.
Referral: Must be referred by the Common Ground Resource Center (Common Ground’s contact number is 508-620-2690) at SMOC (located at 90 Lincoln St. Framingham, MA 01702).

Greater Worcester Housing Connection
25 Queen St
Worcester, MA 01610
508 757-0103

Capacity: 100 men and 10 women.
Length of Stay: Varies based on client’s needs.
Services: Advocacy; counseling; 3 meals/day; clothing; Spanish; handicapped accessible; nurse; doctor visits 2 times a week; day programs; limited transportation services; limited storage; showers available for females.
Restrictions: Must be over the age of 18.
Referral: Must be referred by the Common Ground Resource Center (Common Ground’s contact number is 508-620-2690) at SMOC (located at 90 Lincoln St. Framingham, MA 01702).

Betty’s Place – Boston YWCA
40 Berkley St.
Boston, MA 02116
617-482-1126

Capacity: 10 women
Length of Stay: 6 months
Services: Counseling, 2 meals, referrals
Restrictions: Clients must be sober for six months prior to application and adhere to a curfew.
Admissions Process:  Individuals can self-refer.

 

Bristol Lodge Men’s Shelter
27 Lexington Street
P.O. Box 54-1095
Waltham, MA 02454-1095
(781) 893-0108

Capacity: 45 men.
Length of Stay: 90 days in/30 days out.
Services: Counseling/clothing by referral; soup kitchen; storage lockers.
Restrictions: Clients must be sober and out of the shelter between 7:45am-6pm.  A 7pm curfew is in place.
Admissions Process:  Individuals can self-refer or have a referral from a social services agency.  Call in at 9 am for bed availability.

 

Bristol Lodge Women’s Shelter
205 Bacon Street
P.O. Box 54-1095
Waltham, MA 02454-1095
(781) 893-0108

Capacity: 12 women.
Length of Stay: 90 days in/30 days out.
Services: Counseling by referral; soup kitchen; clothing by referral; storage lockers.
Restrictions: Sober women; clients must be out of shelter between 7:45am-6pm.  A 7pm curfew is in place.
Admissions Process:  Individuals can self-refer or have a referral from a social services agency.  Check in at 9 am for bed availability.

 

Cambridge Shelter Inc.
109 School Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 547-1885

Capacity: 15 men, 6 women.
Length of Stay: 1- 3 nights for emergency
Services: Case management; 2 meals on weekdays & 3 meals on weekends; clothing, referrals.
Restrictions: Clean, sober and cooperative.
Admissions Process:  Must have a referral from a social services agency; agencies must call the shelter by 10 am.

 

CASPAR Emergency Services Center/Shelter
240 Albany St.,
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-661-0600

Capacity: 10-15 beds
Length of Stay: Unspecified
Services: guests receive medical and mental health care, nutritious meals, personal hygiene supplies, clean clothes, counseling and case management, as well as access to employment, housing, and treatment referrals
Restrictions: residents of Cambridge, Somerville, Watertown, Arlington, and Belmont. (Residents of other towns are eligible for some services, and overnight accommodations will be found for anyone who visits the ESC.)
Admissions Process: 24 hour drop in

 

College Avenue Adult Shelter
P.O. Box 440436
14 Chapel Street
Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 623-2546

Capacity: 8 men, 4 women.
Length of Stay: 5-6 months; extensions are granted based on individual cases.
Services: Counseling Tuesdays and Thursdays; 3 meals/day; clothing; medical care by referral; day programs (education, substance abuse, etc.); limited storage facilities; nearby food pantry.
Restrictions: Clients must be sober and adhere to a 10pm curfew. Facility is not handicapped accessible.
Admissions Process:  Referrals can come through social service agencies, place of employment, or self; Clients must call and leave a message every day.

 

First Church Shelter
11 Garden St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 661-1873

Capacity: 17 men.
Length of Stay: Varies based on client’s needs.
Services: 2 meals/day; limited clothing; modest storage facilities; referrals for counseling, medical care
Restrictions: Clients must be sober and adhere to a 10:30prn curfew.  Does not accept walk-ins.
Admissions Process: Referral from a community service provider.

 

Harvard Square Homeless Shelter /University Lutheran Shelter
66 Winthrop Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-547-2841 (shelter)
617-876-3256 (church)

Capacity: 19-20 men; 4-5 women.
Length of Stay: 2 weeks at a time (subject to change).
Services: Advocacy; breakfast & dinner
Restrictions: Clients must be sober. SEASONAL (open November 15 – April 15)
Admissions Process:  Call at 7:30 am to reserve a bed.

 

Kingston House, Boston Rescue Mission
39 Kingston St.
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 482-8819

Capacity: 100 men; 35 women
Length of Stay: Varies based on client’s needs.
Services: Open October-July. 2 meals/day; some clothing; Spanish; register daily
Restrictions: 9pm curfew
Admissions Process:  Individuals can self- or obtain a referral from social service agencies or places of worship. refer

 

New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans
17 Court Street
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 371-1800

Capacity: 250 men; 16 women
Length of Stay: 2 years.
Wait list: Check in daily from 4pm-6:30pm; intake cots report at 7:45pm
Services: Counseling; 3 meals/day; clothing; handicap accessible; medical care; day programs; transportation; storage facilities; advocacy. 
Languages: Spanish.
Restrictions: Clients must have veteran status, sober, and adhere to an 11pm curfew.
Referral: Self

 

Pilgrim Church Shelter
540 Columbia Rd.
Dorchester, MA 02125
617 436-2588

Capacity: 100-124 men (varies depending on season)
Length of Stay: No limit.
Wait list: Clients must call and report by 7:30pm; first come first serve basis
Services: Advocacy; case management; meals; referrals.
Restrictions: Clients must report in at 7:30pm each night if capable, or take transit from specific social service agencies.
Referral: Self, and Social Services (Hope Found, Prime St., Health Centers, etc)

 

Pine Street Inn – Men’s Unit
444 Harrison Ave.
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 482-4944

Capacity: 317 men.
Length of Stay: No limit.
Services: Counseling; 2 meals/day nov.1-april 1; clothing; medical clinic; day programs; limited transportation; some lockers.
Languages: Spanish.
Restrictions: Men only.
Referral: Self

 

Pine Street Inn -Women’s Inn
363 Albany Street
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 521-7189

Capacity: 90 women; 40 bed are transitional
Length of Stay: No limit.
Services: Counseling; 2 meals/day; Spanish; handicap accessible; medical clinic; storage lockers; emergency clothing; washing machines.
Restrictions: Women only; 8:30pm curfew.
Referral: Self-Client must submit name to enter the daily lottery from 2:30-3:45pm.

 

Rosie’s Place
889 Harrison Ave.
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 442-9322

Capacity: 20 women
Length of Stay:  21 days
Wait List: Lottery begins each morning Mon.-Fri. at 8am and Sat-Sun at 10am and ends at 2:30pm
Services: Counseling; 3 meals/day; clothing; handicap accessible; nurse & doctor 5 days a week; day programs; workshops; storage lockers; mail service; showers and laundry.
Language: Spanish
Restrictions: Clients must be women, sober, 18 years of age or older and adhere to a 9pm curfew.
Referral: Self.

 

St. Patrick’s Shelter
270 Washington St.
Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 628-3015

Capacity: 41 women
Length of Stay: Clients are welcome every day; duration of stay is based on client’s needs.
Services: Advocacy; counseling and medical care by referral; 2 meals/day; small lockers.
Waiting List: Clients must show up before 3 pm for a lottery
Restrictions: Clients must be women, sober, and out of the shelter by 7:30 am.
Referral: Self.

 

Salvation Army Cambridge Shelter
402 Mass. Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 547-3400

Capacity: 35 men
Length of Stay: 6 days in/4 days out
Wait list: Clients can call/stop in as early at 7:30 pm; bed lists are available from 8am to noon.
Services: Services are postponed due to limitations from construction.
Restrictions: Clients must be male, sober, have a MA identification card, can keep and self-administer non-narcotic medicine, adhere to a 9 pm curfew, and be 19 years of age or older.
Referral: Self or agency referral

 

Santa Maria
11 Waltham Street
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 423-4366

Capacity: 10 women
Length of Stay: 7 nights per month.
Wait List: First come, first serve basis. Call in the morning at 7:00am to check availability.
Services: Breakfast and snacks; clothing; access to translation services for foreign languages not spoken by the staff members on location
Restrictions: Clients must be women and be sober and adhere to a 10 pm curfew..  Shelter is open from 7pm-8am (come early for showers).
Referral: Another shelter; social worker; social service agencies; self.

 

Shattuck Shelter at Shattuck Hospital, Hope Bound
170 Morton St.
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(617) 983-7197

Capacity: 93 men, 23 women.
Length of Stay: No limit.
Wait List: No. You can keep the same bed as the night before if you arrive at the appropriate intake time (begins at 3:30pm).  Otherwise you must arrive at intake time and be placed in a lottery for an open bed.
Services: Bilingual staff; no programs during the day
Restrictions: Exit shelter by 8am Mon-Fri. and 9am on the weekends; 18 years of age or older; must be capable of self-care and able to leave each morning
Referral: Self-referral for lottery; clinic; social service agencies; spring and summer arrive for intake at 3:30 to 7:00pm and in the fall and winter 3:30pm-6:00pm.

 

Woods Mullen Shelter (Boston Public Health Commission)
784 Rear Mass. Ave.
Boston, MA 02119
(617) 534-2526

Capacity: 124 men; 66 women.
Length of Stay: No limit.
Wait List: First come, first serve. Sign up before 5:30.
Language: Spanish.
Services: Advocacy; counseling; nurse + referral; 3 meals/day; clothing; medical care.
Restrictions: Wet (alcohol permitted but clients must maintain compliance and corporation) no drug use in shelter.
Referral: Self -Client must schedule a time meet with a case manager for an intake at the shelter.

Meadows Program
20 Cottage St.
Natick, MA 01760
(508)-231-4516

Capacity: 8 women.
Length of Stay: 6 months.
Services: Spanish, transitional housing, substance abuse treatment and educational and vocational training.
Restrictions: For women who have substance abuse problems and women who had been incarcerated or had prior incarceration.
Referral: through the correctional facility through SMOC in Framingham (508) 872-4853.

 

Shadows
25 Central St.
Ashland, MA 01721
508 231-8710

Capacity: 10 women.
Length of Stay: 60 days.
Services: Advocacy; counseling; 3 meals a day; clothing; nurse once a week; limited transportation.
Restrictions: Sobriety; 10pm curfew.
Referral: Self, social service agencies, call SMOC (508) 620-2690.

 

Turning Point
3 Merchant Road
Framingham, MA 01701
(508) 875-6429

Capacity: 18 (14 men, 4 women) transitional* beds and 2 EA* beds.
Length of Stay: 60 days, 2 week intervals.
Services: Advocacy; 3 meals/day; handicap accessible; medical care by referral.
Restrictions: Sobriety; 10pm curfew.
Referral: Self.

Action Emergency Homeless Shelter
370 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
978-282-1000

Capacity: 34 men and women. 26 beds available in winter.
Length of Stay: 1 year.
Wait list:  First come, first serve. Sign up at 5pm on location.
Services: Case management; 2 meals a day; Spanish; handicap accessible; limited medical care, referrals provided when needed; visiting nurse.
Restrictions: Sobriety required; 18 years old or older; must be out by 8am and in by 5pm; shelter is only for individuals, no significant others or kids allowed.
Referral: Self –walk-ins accepted.

 

 Lifebridge
56 Margin Street
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 744-0500

Capacity: 24 permanent beds for men, 10 permanent beds for women; Seasonal overflow accommodations offered Nov. 15-April 18; during this time,12 additional beds for men bed and 6 additional beds for women are available.
Length of Stay: No limit.
Services: Counseling; 3 meals/day; clothing; some Spanish resources; handicapped accessible; nurse clinic available 2/week; doctor available 1/week; day programs; limited transportation; storage facilities.
Restrictions: Sobriety required; ages 18 and older; 8pm curfew.
Referral: Self.

 

Daybreak
91 Winter Street
Lawrence, MA 01843
(978) 975-4547

Capacity: 50 (37 Men, 12 Women)
Length of Stay: 30 days
Services: First come first serve, arrive by 5pm to secure a bed; NA meetings; 2 meals a day (lunch in-house for people with medical problems); clothing when available; Spanish; handicap accessibility; on-site clinic (Tuesday).
Restrictions: Ages 18 and older; must be in by 9 pm an out by 7:15 am; 1 bag limit; no drugs are not allowed on the property.
Referral: Self.

 

Emmaus Inc.
127 How Street
Haverhill, MA 01830
(978) 241-3400

Capacity: 34 men and women.
Length of Stay: extensions granted based on case management.
Services: Counseling; 2 meals a day; some Spanish; handicapped accessible; access to a visiting nurse; advocacy.
Restrictions: Must be in by 5 pm and out by 7 am; everyone is checked for drugs and alcohol at door, neither are permitted on grounds; must be complaint and composed.
Referral: Self (arrive by 5pm to sign up); hospitals.

 

Lynn Emergency Shelter
100 Willow Street
Lynn, MA 01901
(781) 581-6600

Length of Stay: 90 days
Services: transition program, case management, mental health counseling, women’s group
Restriction: 4 pm to 8 am Mon-Fri, 24 hours on weekends.
Referral: first come first serve; do not take referrals but strongly encourage clients call at 4 pm to get a bed or a mat for the night. Once a bed is assigned, you are required to be present at the shelter every day between 6pm and 7:30 pm or will lose the bed.

Anchor Inn
P.O. Box 240
North Quincy, MA 02171
617 328-5380

Capacity: 240 men.
Length of Stay: No limit.
Restrictions: Sober.
Services: Spanish, Haitian Creole; advocacy; counseling; 3 meals; medical care; clothing provided; referrals to other services not provided for at the shelter. 
Admissions Process: Self-referrals.

 

Father Bill’s Place
38 Broad St.
Quincy, MA 02169
(617) 770-3314

Capacity: 60 men, 25 women.
Length of Stay: No limit if from catchment areas (Avon-Abington-Bridgewater-Brockton-Carver-Easton-East Bridgewater-Halifax-Holbrook-Marion-Mattapoisett-Middleborough-Lakeville-Plymouth-Plympton-Rochester-Stoughton-Wareham-West Bridgewater-Whitman); otherwise, 3 day limit if no ties to catchment areas.
Wait List: First come, first serve; line up starts at 3:30pm and doors close at 6pm.
Services: Counseling; 3 meals a day; limited clothing; medical care; nurse available 5 days a week; transportation available in emergencies.
Restrictions: Clients must be over the age of 18, sober, and adhere to a curfew.
Referral: Self.

 

Mainspring House – Brockton Coalition for the Homeless
54 N. Main Street
Brockton, MA 02301
(508) 587-5441

Capacity: 47 men, 18 women.
Length of Stay: Unlimited if from catchment areas (Avon-Abington-Bridgewater-Brockton-Carver-Easton-East Bridgewater-Halifax-Holbrook-Marion-Mattapoisett-Middleborough-Lakeville-Plymouth-Plympton-Rochester-Stoughton-Wareham-West Bridgewater-Whitman); otherwise, 3 day limit if no ties to catchment areas.
Wait List: First come, first serve; line up begins at 4:00pm and doors close at 6pm.
Services: Substance abuse counseling; 3 meals a day; clothing if avail; handicapped accessible.
Restrictions: Must be sober upon entry; must be out by 7am; must be over the age of 18.
Referral: Self; social service agencies.

 

Sister Rose’s Shelter
60 Eighth Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-3202

Capacity: 25 men.
Length of Stay: 90 days; extensions based on case management assessment.
Wait List: No. Calls are accepted from 9am-5pm to inquire about an open bed.
Services: Case management; 2 meals a day; clothing; Cape Verdean; Spanish; and Portuguese; medical care by referral; storage facilities; MA Mental Health Services can be arranged.
Restrictions: Men over 18; must sign-in at 3:30pm to keep bed; exceptions to the sign-in time are based on work obligation, but all exceptions must be pre-approved.
Referral: Self; social service agency.

 

Noah Shelter
77 Winter Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
(508) 778-5255

Capacity: 60 (numbers vary, between 40 men and 20 women).
Length of Stay: No limit.
Wait list: No, lottery system starts at 4:30 pm. First come, first served.
Services: Advocacy; counseling; 2 meals a day; clothing in emergencies; food pantry available nearby.
Restrictions: Must have resided in Cape Cod resident at least 6 months–proof of residency required; must be over the age of 18; must be in the shelter at 4:30pm and out by 7:30 am; must be able to administer own medications; wet shelter (alcohol permitted but must maintain compliance and cooperation); no level 3 sex offenders accepted.
Referral: Self.

 

Samaritan House
59 Ingall Street.
Taunton, MA 02780
508 824-6497

Capacity: 19 total; 14 men, 4 women and 1 EA* cot
Length of Stay: 90 days.
Wait list: No.  Must call by 10am to check for available space. 
Services: Advocacy; counseling; 2 meals & a snack; nearby soup kitchen; access to a nurse; some clothing; referrals given for other services not provided for in this shelter.
Restrictions: Sober and substance abuse free.
Referral: Self.

Bartons Crossing Emergency (BCAC)
P.O. Box 644-02
1307 North Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 442-1445
BCAC at (413) 445-4503

Capacity: 14 emergency beds, 13 transitional beds
Length of Stay: Emergency* beds available for 60 days, transitional* beds available for up to 2 year.
Services: Case Management at the Shelter includes budget counseling, organizing referrals to legal resources, job search and placement agencies, housing search and tenant advocacy, medical and mental health agencies.
Restrictions: Alcohol and drugs strictly forbidden.
Referral: Self; detox referral agencies.

 

Grove St. Inn
91 Grove St.
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 586-6001
Capacity: 21 total beds for men and women.
Length of Stay: 60 days.  Extensions maybe provided based on case management.
Wait List: Yes, it is best to call and speak to a person than depending on the voice mail.  The best time to call is after 4pm.  You can be on the wait list from 1 to 8 weeks long.
Services: Spanish speaking staff in the resource center and one Polish speaking staff member at the shelter; one handicap accessible room; advocacy; counseling; medical clinic referral; transition to work referral housing referral; 3 meals & snacks.
Restrictions: Sobriety.
Referral: Self.

 

Interfaith Cot Shelter
43 Center St.
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 586-6750

This shelter is managed by Grove Street Inn (413) 586-6001

Capacity: 20 total beds for men and women.
Length of Stay: First come, first serve. 
Seasonal: Open November 1st to May 1st.
Wait List: No.
Services: (Same as Grove Street Inn) Spanish speaking staff in the resource center and one Polish speaking staff member at the shelter; one handicap accessible room; advocacy; counseling; tax assistance; social security assistance; medical clinic referral; transition to work referral; housing referral; 3 meals & snacks.
Restrictions: Sobriety (dry shelter). Emergency shelter only.
Referral: Self. Line up begins no earlier than 5:30pm and doors open at 6:00pm.  Shelter closes at 7:00am when everyone must leave.

 

Samaritan Inn
7 Free St.
Westfield, MA 01805
413 568-3122

Capacity: 32 men, 5 women.
Length of Stay: 90 days.
Wait List: No.
Services: Spanish; advocacy; counseling; 2 meals & snack; nurse; some clothing; referral to other social service agencies and resources.
Restrictions: Sobriety.
Referral: Self (intake process over through a phone call) or through community social service agencies.

 

Friends of the Homeless
755 Worthington Street
Springfield, MA 01105
(413) 732-3069

Capacity: 120 men, 34 women, and SRO (single room occupancy; distributed through Springfield Housing: (413) 732-0808).
Length of Stay: Based on case management goals.
Services: Counseling; Advocacy; 3 meals; Spanish; handicapped accessible; day programs; storage facilities.
Restrictions: 9pm curfew and list of rules given upon entry.
Referral: Self; call for a phone interview between 8:30am and 4pm.

Springfield Rescue Mission (2 locations)
19 Bliss Street (Program facility only)
148 Taylor St (Program facility and emergency shelter)

P.O. Box 2435
Springfield, MA 01101
(413) 732-0808

Capacity: Bliss St. is 40 men, Taylor St is 20 men in transitional* program (can be transferred from Bliss St) and 30 men in emergency shelter*.
Length of Stay: Up to one year in the transitional* program and 40 days within emergency shelter*.
Wait List: No; first come, first serve Monday- Saturday 4:00pm-8:00am (line up at 2pm)
Services: Counseling; 3 meals/day; Spanish; handicapped accessible; nursing & dentistry.
Restrictions: Drug and Alcohol free; over the age of 18; men only.     
Referral: Self; call and do a phone intake with the case manager.

 

Loreto House
(treatment facility)
51 Hamilton Street
Holyoke, MA 01040
413 533-5909

Capacity: 21 men.
Length of Stay: 2 years upon approval of case manager.
Wait List: Yes.
Services: Basic food; access to medical care; various support services dealing with addictions, housing & employment search; life/survival skills; job preparation assistance; other educational opportunities.
Restrictions: Sobriety; 9pm curfew and must be out by 8 am; $300 nominal contribution.
Referral: Self (must have a one on one meeting with case manager and pass a drug test), Agency Referral, Appointment Mon- Friday 8am-4pm.

 

Craig’s Place [Seasonal]
Located in the basement of the First Baptist Church
434 North Pleasant Street
Amherst, Massachusetts 01002
413-437-0776

Capacity: 16 men, 6 women
Hours: 9:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Seasonal: November 1st through April 30th
Services: Overnight shelter, handicap accessible, Dinner and Breakfast, Access to showers, weekly medical clinic, referrals to Social services, housing referrals.
Restrictions: Behavior based admission policy
Referral: Self, line up begins no earlier than 9:15 p.m. 

If you are a young adult, click here to access the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance’s 2012 Young Adult Resource Guide. (Some resources listed also may be helpful to you if you are under 18 and out on your own.)