General Information about Shelters and Transitional Programs
For more information, see General Information about Shelters on MassResources.org.
What are shelters?
Shelters are places where homeless people can live until they find safe permanent housing. There are shelters for parents with children; shelters for runaway teens and teen parents; and shelters for adult men and women without children. Shelter residents share common space with other homeless people. Shelters provide beds or cots, linens, and three meals per day.
What are transitional programs?
Transitional programs are programs that combine shelter and support services to help homeless people learn to live independently. Services may include substance abuse treatment, job training, English language instruction, child care, counseling, budgeting, and housekeeping training. Residents also get help finding permanent affordable housing.
Am I eligible?
The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) runs most of the shelters for homeless families. Families must be eligible for Emergency Assistance (EA) to use DHCD shelters. Some family shelters also have community beds for families not eligible for EA.
The eligibility requirements for battered women's shelters, teen programs, shelters for adults, and transitional programs, vary from program to program. Some have income limits and some do not. Some charge a fee. Some are open only to women and some only to men. See the specific program categories (family shelters, teen programs, etc.) on the Shelters and Transitional Programs page for more information about eligibility requirements.
How do I apply?
If you are a homeless family, you should call the DHCD Division of Housing Stabilization at 1-877-418-3308 to apply for Emergency Assistance (EA). Emergency Assistance helps pregnant women and families with children who meet income limits and other eligibility requirements. If your family is not eligible for EA, or if you are an adult without children or in another category, you should call the shelters and see if there is space available. You can find a list of shelters with phone numbers on the Shelters and Transitional Programs page.
There are also several homeless prevention organizations that will help you, such as Friendly House 508-755-4362, Central Mass. Housing Alliance 508-791-7265, and the Homeless Outreach and Advocacy Project 508-860-1080. You will find more information in the Homelessness Programs section.
Can I choose which shelter I go to?
The shelter you go to depends mostly on where there is space available. For DHCD familiy shelters, if you need to live in a certain area because of a job, school, medical need, or other good reason, DHCD will try to place you in a shelter in that area. However, you do not have a right to choose your shelter location.
What are the rules for shelter residents?
Most shelters require you to look for permanent housing, help with group chores, meet with your case manager, obey safety rules and curfews, follow your budget, work or look for work, and stay clean, sober, and drug-free. Many transitional programs ask you to pay a fee to help cover the costs of the program.
What benefits will I get?
All shelters and transitional programs give you safe, clean housing and three meals per day. You will also get support services such as counseling, housing search assistance, child care, job search help, transportation, literacy programs, substance abuse treatment, and referrals. Services vary from one program to another.
More information
More information about Shelters and Transitional Programs is on our statewide web site, MassResources.org. When you click on the link below, you will go to MassResources.org. Click "Back" on your browser to return to WorcesterResources.org.
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