Skip to main content

Emergency Housing Assistance

Massachusetts individuals and families seeking emergency housing will find shelter programs and related services here.

This page includes resources to find shelter if you are in emergency need of housing. Shelter is a temporary place to stay as you search for your next place to live. Separate shelter services are available for individuals and for people with children (including pregnant people). There are also resources for households at risk of foreclosure or eviction, looking for support services, and individuals experiencing domestic violence.

Shelter resources for youth

People 24 and younger can find housing options and support services.

List of young adult emergency housing options  Resources for youth experiencing homelessness 

Shelter services for individuals over 18

To find out if a bed is available, contact the shelter directly. Shelters manage their own registration process.

Use a lookup tool to find a shelter near you 

Emergency family shelter for pregnant people and families with children under 21

Find out if you're eligible for the EA Emergency Family Shelter program and learn how to apply.

What is EA Emergency Family Shelter?   Apply for EA Emergency Family Shelter   Learn how the waitlist for EA Emergency Family Shelter works   Ask for free interpreters to help apply for EA Emergency Family Shelter  Learn about HomeBASE, a program for EA eligible families to help find stable housing 

Find domestic violence services in your area.  Families in crisis can find various services through Mass 211.  Get financial help through RAFT if you're at risk of eviction or foreclosure  

DECLARATION—EA EMERGENCY FAMILY SHELTER

On Oct. 31, 2023, under 760 CMR 67.10, the Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities declared that the EA emergency family shelter system is no longer able to meet all current and projected demand for shelter from families eligible for EA, considering the facts and circumstances existing in the Commonwealth. On February 28, 2024, the Secretary extended the Declaration for an additional 120 days.

EOHLC has issued guidance effective November 1, 2023, to create a prioritization system and waitlist for eligible families. The processes will be in place while the Secretary’s Declaration is in effect. The guidance was revised on March 1, 2024, to include two additional groups within the Priority 1 category. Learn more about the waitlist for EA Emergency Family Shelter.

Open PDF file, 214.02 KB,  Declaration Emergency Assistance Family Shelter (English, PDF 214.02 KB)
Open PDF file, 153.71 KB,  Extension of Declaration Emergency Assistance Family Shelter (English, PDF 153.71 KB)
Open PDF file, 288.19 KB,  EA Guidance on Waitlist and Prioritization Procedures (English, PDF 288.19 KB)
Open PDF file, 217.49 KB,  760 CMR 67 (English, PDF 217.49 KB)

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback