What is the goal of the Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter system?
“Shelter is a temporary place for your family to stay as you search for your next place to live. ”
If you or your family are concerned about the possibility of becoming homeless, there are different paths you can take to regain stable housing. You may be eligible for EA Family Shelter if you have lost your home due to unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters, fleeing domestic violence, foreclosures, and other criteria.
What is expected from families in Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter?
While you stay in shelter there will be required tasks to help your family move toward finding and keeping stable housing. These tasks will include:
Upload Documentation
Hand in all remaining documents required in the Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter program.
Do Re-Housing Activities
There is an expectation in EA Family Shelter that family members 18 and over will take steps to stabilize their families and find housing.
Attend Meetings
Attend shelter meetings and workshops required in your Re-Housing Plan, as well as meet and work with shelter staff.
Accept Permanent Housing
Accept an offer of permanent housing unless you have good cause (a permitted reason).
Follow Shelter Program Rules
Shelter Program Rules are a set of rules you and your family must follow to remain in shelter. They are in place to make sure that shelters are safe and work for everyone. You will sign these rules when you enter shelter. Shelter rules include:
- Arriving by curfew
- Spending every night at the shelter unless permission is granted
- Providing appropriate care for children in the household
- No pets (except for service animals or other animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act)
- No alcohol or illegal drug use
What are the types of shelters?
Congregate
Families have their own private place to sleep but share common spaces with other families in shelter.
Co-Shelter
Families are placed in apartments with other families. Families have private bedrooms and share common spaces.
Scattered Site
Families are placed in private living spaces/apartments separate from other families.
“Shelter is a shared experience among families. You will likely share common spaces with other sheltered families.”
What are the tracks of EA Family Shelter?
As of December 15, 2025, HLC is only placing families in the Bridge Shelter Track. Bridge Shelter lets families stay for up to six months, with a small number of extensions if needed.
If the EA Family Shelter program runs out of space, HLC may use a two-track system. In that case, some eligible families may be placed in Rapid Shelter. Rapid Shelter is for families who are ready to move into housing quickly and allows a stay of up to 30 business days, with extra time added in special cases.
What is the Bridge Shelter Track?
In the Bridge Shelter Track families will work to find stable, permanent housing quickly. Families will also be assisted with finding employment and connected to health resources.
How long can my family stay in shelter? (Length of Stay, LOS)
In the Bridge Shelter Track your family can stay in the shelter for up to six months. In some cases, a short extension may be approved. Families should work with their case managers to learn if they qualify for extra time. If the program runs out of space, the Rapid Shelter Track may be used. Families in Rapid Shelter can stay for up to 30 business days. In some cases, a short extension may be approved. Business days are weekdays only (Monday through Friday) and do not include weekends (Saturday and Sunday) or state holidays.
What should families know when applying for Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter?
Case Worker: A person who works at the shelter who is there to assist you and your family in planning how to stabilize your living situation. You will regularly meet with the case worker to work on things like getting resources to help your family (for example, childcare vouchers) and finding housing. (Also referred to as Family Advocate or Case Manager).
Diversion Provider: An organization that supports EA eligible families to pay costs to travel to a safe place to stay inside or outside Massachusetts or to find housing instead of entering shelter. Diversion Providers mostly use the HomeBASE program to help families pay for travel costs or a portion of the rent.
EA Family Shelter Contact List: The state is not able to expand shelter capacity. The family shelter system may not have enough space to shelter every eligible family. When there is not a space, families will be given options for what their next step might be, including joining the EA Family Shelter Contact List. Learn how the EA Emergency Family Shelter Contact List works.
HomeBASE: A program that can help you pay for part of the rent for an apartment or find alternative housing instead of going to a shelter. This is available if you are eligible for EA Family Shelter. If you are already in EA Family Shelter, HomeBASE is the same resource that can help you move into an apartment by paying for a portion of your rent.
Homeless Coordinator: The person who helps you complete your application for Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter and determines if you are eligible for the program.
Housing Search Worker: A person who works at the shelter who is there to assist you and your family specifically in finding housing. (Also referred to as Housing Specialist or Rehousing Worker).
Shelter Provider: A group that runs a shelter that is used for the EA Family Shelter Program system.