Family Shelters/Emergency Assistance (EA)

EA shelter at capacity - new waitlists

In October 2023 Gov. Healy placed a new cap on EA shelter. That cap was reached in early November 2023. Families are now being waitlisted. There is very limited over-flow shelter at this writing (12/4/23); families are mainly on their own until space is available.

Guidance from the state (via MHA) - Frequently Asked Questions about Families and Emergency Assistance Shelter, rev 11/24/23

Waitlist Priorities: Waitlist priority and background - advocacy opportunity: help ensure families are assigned the appropriate waitlist priority - obtain medical letter to submit, with application if possible (or afterwards if not.)

New EA "Safety-Net" (overflow) shelter rules - as of 5/1/24 familes staying in a safety-net/overflow shelter while awaiting regular family shelter will have to document "engagement in case management and rehousing efforts" monthly or risk losing their safety-net shelter space. (Note this does NOT apply to safety-net shelter run by United Way.) Learn more.
Handouts:
Applying for Emergency Assistance Shelter: A guide for families (Also in Spanish) (10/15)

Please note: the income limits in the handouts above are from 2015. Here are the current income limits (2023) - scroll down to 115% FPL

Handout for Homeless Families in the ED

Staff reference (not a pt handout): Accessing EA - MGH SS Staff Reference guide 11/22

Emergency Assistance (EA) is the state's emergency shelter program for low-income families (pregnant women or families with children under age 21). Housing search advocacy is provided in group shelter settings.

See below for basic information.

More detail and advocacy tips

See our EA Detailed Information & Advocacy Page

Emergency Assistance Basic Benefits Training PowerPoint and handouts (MLRI, 2018)

EA Advocacy Guide - MLRI 10/22

Accessing EA - MGH SS Staff Reference guide 11/22

EA and Homeless Families Resources (HomeBASE, Community Rooms, RAFT) - Presentation to HAVEN meeting, 8/15/17

Proposed Settlement Could Bring Big Changes to Mass. Family Shelter System, MGH Community News, March 2023

To Apply

The EA program is administered by the the MA Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC). (Known prior to 5/30/23 as the Dept. of Housing & Community Development [DHCD]). Families can apply either:

By phone: 866-584-0653, Mon to Fri 8-4

Call as early in the day as possible

Should I apply by phone? Easiest if already receiving TAFDC, EAEDC or SNAP and therefore are in the Dept. of Transitional Assistance (DTA) computer system called BEACON. EOHLC workers should have read-only access to BEACON where they can see many of the needed verifications. If you are not already receiving DTA benefits you will need to provide certain documents, so to apply by phone you need access to a fax machine or a scanner and e-mail.

If on repeated attempts you are are unable to get through, MA Coalition for the Homeless advises that advocates may escalate the issue by contacting EOHLC’s Director of Field Operations Alvina Brevard or Attorney Adrian Walleigh. Please not this contact information is for advocates’ use only; please do not share these resources with patients/families directly. (6/20)

In Person - at select offices. Please see website for offices and hours: mass.gov/how-to/find-emergency-family-shelter \

Families should call or appear as early in the day as possible (as the process can easily take all day, or even several days), but no later than 4 pm.
See more Practical Applying Tips.

Language Access policy- as a result of a legal settlement agreement (in August 2017), EOHLC (DHCD at that time) has adopted a language access policy.

Limited English Proficient (LEP) families are entitled to receive language access services at all EOHLC offices, hearings division, and shelters.

Each family will be asked at intake which language they prefer to communicate in.

Each family will be given a one page sheet with language access information.

Oral interpretation will be available when EA communications and documents are not translated into a family’s language, including at shelters.

EOHLC has appointed a Language Access Coordinator to oversee EA language access services and act as a point person for questions and concerns related to language access services. Previously, there was no designated staff member to oversee language access issues. The current coordinator is Brenda O’Donnell, Brenda.ODonnell@state.ma.us or 617-573-1381.

More information: Emergency Assistance Family Shelter Language Access Settlement, MGH Community News, October 2017

If ineligible for EA or outside of business hours: consider Family Shelter Community Rooms- there are a limited number of "Community Rooms" available across the state. There is a high demand for these rooms- call to check availability.

EA Eligibility

Eligibility Flowchart

Financial Eligibility

Income - countable income limit of 115% FPL

TAFDC, EAEDC, SSI, veteran's benefits and child support count as income for determining EA eligibility.

SNAP benefits do not count as income

See Income Advocacy Tips for more information

Assets- the countable assets limit for EA is $5,000. (The value of one non-recreational vehicle is not counted.) More on countable and non-countable assets on our details page.

Categorical Eligibility - in addition to income eligibility, must meet ALL of the criteria below:

Must be a "Family"

Defined as Pregnant person (at any stage of pregnancy, with medical verification) or homeless children under age 21 with their families

Tip: adults may include parents, stepparents, other close relatives or legal guardians who are primary caretakers of the child. "Stepparents" or "spouses" do not need to be married to the parent or pregnant person.

Must be able to demonstrate that the child(ren) are related to the adult(s).

For newborns who do not yet have a birth certificate, EA will ask for a ‘Mother’s letter’. These are generated by the Birth Certificate Office of the hospital where the baby was born (at MGH x4-1905) and takes the place of the birth certificate for the first few weeks after birth until a birth certificate can be generated from City Hall.

Immigration status

At least ONE PERSON in the household must have some type of LEGAL immigrant status. This includes legal permanent residents (green card holders), asylees, refugees or other groups who would be eligible for federal benefits, but also some legal immigrants barred from federal benefits such as those permanently residing under color of law - anyone who has upcoming appointments with USCIS might qualify. There is no "5-year bar" (those with legal status may be eligible regardless of date they obtained status).

EA will not provide shelter to a family entirely comprised of undocumented persons or persons in non-immigrant status (e.g. tourists, students, etc.).

See DTA publication Noncitizen Information Brochure

Will DTA report undocumented immigrants?

Massachusetts Residence

Note that residence is different than immigration status. One must be a MA resident OR INTEND TO STAY.

There are a number of documents you can use to demonstrate Massachusetts residency- this list of identity documents (starting at p. 4) can also be used to establish residency if the pertinent document includes a Massachusetts address.

Intent to stay- according to the EA Advocacy guide (see Question 11, p 26), any third-party verification that shows you are in the Commonwealth with an intention to reside should be good enough to prove Massachusetts residency. The preferred forms of verification for adults are a Massachusetts ID or driver’s license or a current utility bill. Other acceptable alternatives include:

A letter from a child’s primary care doctor listing a Massachusetts address.

Proof that any of the children in the family are registered for school in Massachusetts. If families have difficulty enrolling children in school they should ask to speak with the district's Homeless Education Liaison. Registration in school can be verified by a transcript or in a letter on the school’s letterhead, which should be able to be obtained quickly.

Proof of voter registration in Massachusetts. One does not need a fixed, permanent address to register to vote; if living outside they can even show the voter registration staff where they are living on a map.

The EA Advocacy guide (see Question 11, p 26) advises that if you are denied for lack of proof of Massachusetts residency and you intend to remain in Massachusetts and need emergency shelter, to contact an advocate.

Circumstantial Eligibility (Homeless)- Must have no "feasible alternative housing", including not having "any currently available living situation including temporary housing with relatives, friends or charitable organizations." You must be homeless as noted below and not be subject to any of the bars or ineligibility criteria below.

Homeless- there are 4 categories of homelessness for the purposes of EA eligibility. Since 2012 EA shelter is limited to those who qualify under ONE of the following categories:
Note: if qualify under categories 1, 2 or 3 below, the family does NOT need to also qualify under category 4, i.e., do not need to prove that you have stayed in a place not fit for human habitation, nor that the doubled-up situation was a threat to health and safety, just have to show that you have nowhere else to go (e.g., need a "kick out" letter if doubled-up).

Domestic Violence: families at risk of domestic abuse in their current housing situation or who are homeless because they fled domestic violence and have not had access to safe, permanent housing since leaving the housing situation in which they fled.

Advocacy Tips: The perpetrator can be anyone in the household- it does not have to have been an intimate partner. If one has left the abusive situation and subsequently been doubled up, but are now being asked to leave, the family can still qualify under the domestic violence category; they should not have to prove that the doubled-up situation is a threat to health and safety or that they are living in a place not meant for human habitation. Please advise applicants seeking placement under this category if they have any such difficulties they should ask to speak with a DTA domestic violence specialist (or our HAVEN staff).

Do not need to show that family is at risk of violence in current situation, just that they have nowhere else to go.

DV can be verified by police reports, court records, medical records, third party professional reports, etc. A letter from a social worker with whom the survivor discussed the DV should be accepted.

Fire, Flood or Natural Disaster- families that, through no fault of their own, are homeless due to fire, flood, or natural disaster

Reports from or contact info for a fire dept, police dept Red Cross or other disaster relief organization or a home visit are acceptable forms of verification

Certain Evictions - families that, through no fault of their own, have been subject to eviction from their most recent housing due to:

foreclosure - in limited circumstances

condemnation (not fault of family)

Pure "no fault" eviction, e.g., because landlord wants to rent to a family member

conduct by a guest or former household member who is not part of the household seeking emergency shelter and over whose conduct the remaining household members had no control; or

nonpayment of rent due to a medical condition that caused the family to incur SUBSTANTIAL MEDICAL EXPENSESS resulting in having to pay more than 50% of income for rent, utilities and medical expenses in the past year, OR due to a DISABILITY that caused the inability to pay rent or cure a lease violation.

nonpayment due to loss of income in the past 12 months due to no fault of the family. Under the regulations, only a loss of income of at least 10% counts and it must have resulted in a rent burden of more than 50% of income

(Source: EA Advocacy Guide, pg. 15 - 17)

NOTE: Must have eviction paperwork and must have a firm “date of homelessness” within 48 hours, either:

Family is within 48 hours of a date on an Agreement for Judgment through the court; or

Family has been served with a 48-hour notice to quit from a constable.

(More information on our EA Details page)

Doubled-Up in Unsafe Environment OR Living in Place Not Meant for Human Habitation*- families who are in a housing situation where they are not the primary lease holder and where there is a substantial health and safety risk to the family that is likely to result in significant harm should the family remain in such housing situation OR who have spent at least one night in a place not meant for human habitation. *NOTE: under language included in the FY20 state budget, this requirement for certain families who do not otherwise qualify to spend a night in a place not meant for human habitation has been eliminated. We are waiting for additional implementation information, but there are spotty reports of some families receiving EA under the new rules.

Those currently doubled-up must demonstrate that there is a substantial health and safety (HAS) risk that is likely to result in significant harm. More detail on HAS on our details/advocacy page.

Note: families should be placed pending a DCF HAS assessment if they otherwise appear eligible, but EOHLC often tells families they cannot be placed until the assessment is done. (Source: EA Advocacy Guide, p 20)

Background- Under rules in place before 7/12 if someone was doubled-up and had worn out their welcome, they just needed a "kick out" letter to qualify for shelter. Now in addition to not being able to return one must demonstrate a substantial health and safety risk.

There is also another sub-category under which a family may qualify- "irregular housing" (chronic couch surfing)- if one has been staying in a string of places for less than a week each and cannot return to any. The definition of chronic couch surfing is not clearly defined; open to varying interpretations. Advocates say it seems that those who've stayed in at least 3 places, each for under a week and who can't return to any of them may qualify (and may be able to avoid having to stay in a place not meant for human habitation before qualifying).

The Legislature included language starting in the FY20 budget directing EOHLC (DHCD at the time)to provide shelter to otherwise eligible families who have not yet stayed in places not meant for human habitation (they would need to but for the offer of shelter). EOHLC has not issued guidance about how field offices should implement this requirement, and has stated that no new guidance is required. However, families in this situation are regularly denied placement. If a family is otherwise eligible and has no place to go, they should be placed in shelter pending a DCF health and safety assessment. (EA Advocacy Guide, Advocacy tip p. 20)

Previous rules: If none of the above apply, one must demonstrate that the family has already spent at least one night in a place not meant for human habitation (ED, bus/train station, car, park, etc.). This must be verified by a special DCF housing worker- so the family must stay in such a place for as long as it takes DCF to do their investigation. If kids can stay in a safe place, even though it means family will be separated, the family is not currently eligible for EA shelter.

See Category 4 advocacy tips

Bars or Ineligibility Criteria include

12 Month Rule- family is barred/ineligible for EA shelter if they were in EA shelter (or referred and did not go) within the last 12 months, with certain exceptions. Also applies if one had a Flex Funds subsidy and violated that program's rules. See more about the 12 month bar.

One exception is for those timing out of HomeBASE who generally are only barred for 3 months, or even less if moved to safe, permanent housing that turns out not to have been safe and permanent at time of move. (Source)

Family made itself homeless for purposes of getting EA assistance or housing subsidy

Family abandoned public or subsidized housing in the past year without good cause

Family was evicted from PUBLIC or subsidized housing for not paying rent or fraudulent behavior within past 3 years (unless "bad actor" is no longer part of household seeking assistance).

Family was evicted from PRIVATE, public or subsidized housing for criminal behavior (unless "bad actor" is no longer part of household seeking assistance)

Family didn't cooperate with EA housing search or certain HomeBASE requirements

Adult family member quit a job, reduced hours or refused an offer of additional hours within 90 days unless had "good cause". Good cause might include that you had to attend to a family crisis, emergency or did not have state-licensed child care

A teen parent who was asked to leave 3 teen living programs because of rules violations or refused a teen-living placement.

- More detail see: http://www.masslegalhelp.org/income-benefits/emergency-assistance-guide/10-can-you-be-denied. See full regulations in the FY 2017 State Budget.

Other EA Program Information

See our EA Detailed Information & Advocacy Page or specific sections:
Types of Shelter, Shelter offers - rights and responsibilities, housing search services, and rights and responsibilities (including compliance and avoiding termination and the resulting 12 month bar).
EA Advocacy Guide - from masslegalservices.org
Emergency Assistance Regulations, Statutes and Notices
Uniform Shelter Program Rules, Guidelines and Forms
Types of Family Shelter (describes types, services available in each and statistics) - 11/09
EA Family Shelter Brochure (note: see above for changes)- MA Coalition for the Homeless, last updated November 2009
Proposed Settlement Could Bring Big Changes to Mass. Family Shelter System, MGH Community News, March 2023

EA Shelter Interruption Form
--A family can only use EA shelter one time within 12 months. Once a sheltered family leaves shelter, they are ineligible for shelter for the next twelve months. Advocates, such as Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, are advising all families to submit a shelter interruption statement upon leaving shelter, in case the new situation becomes untenable within this 12 month period. The shelter interruption statement documents a request, and then DTA approval, for a temporary move.
EOHLC Constituent Services (for issues in shelter): 617-573-1377
Language Access

EA In the News

Proposed Settlement Could Bring Big Changes to Mass. Family Shelter System, MGH Community News, March 2023
SJC Upholds Baker Administration Policy Barring EA Use of Hotels to Accommodate Disability, MGH Community News, October 2018
Does Ending Motel Use for Emergency Shelter Go Too Far?, MGH Community News, May 2018
Emergency Assistance Family Shelter Language Access Settlement, MGH Community News, October 2017
Homeless Families Turn to Emergency Rooms for Shelter, MGH Community News, February 2017
Baker Administration Accused of Denying Shelter to Homeless Mothers, MGH Community News, December 2016
Number of Homeless Families in State-Funded Motels Drops, MGH Community News, May 2016
Emergency Assistance (Family Shelter) New Eligibility Categories, MGH Community News, September, 2012.
Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter Restrictions- Phase 1 Has Started, MGH Community News, August, 2012.
Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter Restrictions, MGH Community News, July 2012.
See Homelessness Prevention for updates on cuts to longer-term transitional housing update and effect on families in EA Shelter and "DHCD Short-Term Subsidies in Light of Toolbox Long-Term Cuts", MGH Community News, March 2010.
New EA and Re-Housing Regulations- MGH Community News, April 2009
EA Supplemental Funding - MGH Community News, December 2009
Diversion Program Enrollment Suspended - MGH Community News, November 2010.
Family Shelters Full- Record Number in Motels - MGH Community News, December 2009

Family Welcome Centers

UPDATE/CORRECTION - as of November 1, 2023 the Quincy Family Welcome Center will accept EA/Family shelter referrals, but only Monday- Friday and families must arrive by 4; referral required. More info below. The Allston/Brazilian Worker Center no longer places families in shelter.

To apply for EA: refer to the Quincy Family Welcome Center (more below) or call 866-584-0653 or go to one of the EOHLC (formerly DHCD) sites (scroll down to "In Person") that accept referrals (please note some have limited days/hours of operation).

The Family welcome centers now will assist with benefits enrollment, basic needs screening, connection and coordination of donations and volunteers, resiliency and safety planning conversations, resource packages, connection to other resources throughout the state, assistance for families in collecting EA documentation, coordination of resource vans or fairs, and other assistance.

Quincy Family Welcome Center
56 Wendell Ave., Quincy, MA (on the campus of Eastern Nazarene College)
Hours: Monday-Friday: 8am-7pm Sat-Sun: 9am-2pm
Family shelter EA/Family Shelter coordinators only onsite Monday- Friday until 5 pm. Families must arrive by 4.
Referral Required
To refer: email preferred: fwc@baystatecs.org (or call the FWC desk at 857-387-3066.)

Brazilian Worker Center
14 Harvard Ave, Allston.
Hours: 12:00PM-8:00PM 7 days a week
To refer: Call 617-817-5028- Text messages are preferred and will help prioritize your call if in. the text you state you are a Social Worker from MGH and request a call back.
Currently does NOT accept/process EA family shelter referrals
email: emergency@braziliancenter.org
https://braziliancenter.org/family-welcome-center/

Non-EA Family Shelter

Family Shelter Community Rooms- If the family is ineligible for EA shelter or can't access EA because it is outside of DTA business hours, there are a limited number of "Community Rooms" available across the state. There is a high demand for these rooms- call to check availability.

FamilyAid Boston - operates their own family shelter. Families must be homeless, from Boston, have children under the age of 18 and be over-income or otherwise ineligible for EA (Emergency Assistance family shelter program).

Families must be screened for eligibility. Contact:

the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities - EOHLC (Formerly the Department of Housing and Community Development or DHCD) at (617) 573-1100.
Those in the City of Boston can also call the Mayor’s Hotline for assistance. Dial 311 to be connected (or 617-635-4500 if you can’t dial 311).

The program typically runs a waitlist.

Of note, their advocates are clinical social workers who assist not only with housing, but with employment and mental health concerns. May be helpful to prepare patients that they will be asking about more than just housing issues. FamilyAid Boston also offers additional services, including employment services for their clients.

More on their website: familyaidboston.org.

HomeBASE

Families eligible for Emergency Assistance (EA- family shelter) should be assessed for HomeBASE Household assistance of up to $10,000/per year (in 2020) to help the family stay in place or relocate. Funds can be used flexibly to cover such needs as rental arrearage payments, security deposits, payments to host families, furniture, and medical bill assistance. Combined RAFT and HomeBASE assistance cannot exceed $10,000/year (in 2020).

Families who are eligible for HomeBASE and are in need of immediate shelter, as determined by EOHLC, may be placed in temporary accommodations while waiting to use the other HomeBASE benefits.

To Apply: Must be EA eligible (except for homeless) and apply for EA.

COVID Specific Content

EA and HomeBASE applications are currently via phone only. Call 866-584-0653, Mon to Fri 8-4

End of COVID-specific content

Go to one of the 9 DTA Offices that have a DHCD worker onsite, ask for shelter worker/DHCD worker.

Office hours are from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Boston – 1010 Massachusetts Avenue - New Market Square

Brockton – 60 Main Street

Chelsea – 80 Everett Avenue, 3rd Floor

Hyannis – 181 North Street

Lawrence – 280 Merrimack Street

Lowell – 131 Davidson Street - no longer accepting in-person applications

New Bedford – 160 West Rodney French Boulevard

Salem – 45 Congress Street, Suite 1176

Springfield – 310 State Street

Worcester – 13 Sudbury Street

HomeBase- on Mass.gov

HomeBASE brochure - 2011

When HomeBase recipients are subject to 12 month bar on receiving EA benefits (Housing Stabilization Notice 2012-03, DHCD, April 20, 2012)

More information:

NOTE: HomeBASE initially had two programs- Housing Assistance and Rental Assistance that you will see in the following original articles. The Rental Assistance program was discontinued before the end of the first year.

HomeBASE New Emergency Housing Assistance Process for Families - MGH Community News, July/Aug 2011.
HomeBASE Update (major program changes)- MGH Community News, November 2011

Emergency Assistance: Family Shelter & HomeBASE- Staff Meeting Presentation, November 2011