BHCHP provides “medical respite care”, short-term medical and recuperative services, for homeless people who are far too sick for life in shelters but not sick enough to occupy a costly acute care hospital bed.
BHCHP’s 104-bed medical respite facility is located in Jean Yawkey Place on the campus of Boston Medical Center.
For patients and providers looking for more complete information on services provided at the Barbara McInnis House, please see their FAQ sheet.
For providers looking to admit a patient, please see their admittance requirements before filling out an admission form.
Service hours:Always open
Transportation Google MapsThe Boston Public Health Commission, the country’s oldest health department, is an independent public agency providing a wide range of health services and programs.
The Commission’s more than 40 programs are grouped into six bureaus: Child, Adolescent & Family Health; Community Health Initiatives; Homeless Services; Infectious Disease; Recovery Services; and Emergency Medical Services.
Programs & Services:
Service hours:
The Help Desk hours are from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday
Requirements & Restrictions:Varies by Program
Languages: Transportation Google MapsBoston Rescue Mission offers a variety of programs and resources that prevent and end homelessness and support the recovery, health, faith, and independence of those who have a history of substance abuse, incarceration, and homelessness. Programs offered include:
Varies by program
Transportation Google MapsBridge offers a comprehensive range of services to youth ages 14 to 24 in a positive and safe environment.
Street Outreach and Mobile Medical Van: Street Outreach is Bridge’s daily “foot patrol” of trained outreach workers who make regular consistent contact with homeless youth on the street throughout a range of neighborhoods in Boston and Cambridge. The Mobile Medical Van (MMV) connects with the street outreach team each weeknight. See specific hours below. The Van provides medical attention, survival kits, clothes, food and referrals.
Runaway Program: Bridge is the local respondent for the national runaway hotline offering 24-hour access to a counselor and a safe overnight accommodation away from the streets for homeless youth ages 14-17 for up to 72 hours.
Traditional Day Program (TDP): Visit the second floor of the Bridge building for a free breakfast or lunch. You can shower, use the lockers, do your laundry, attend a workshop, and see a case manager.
Medical Care: Bridge offers weekly free medical services staffed by healthcare professionals at the 47 West Street Facility.
Counseling and Support Services: Get help for substance abuse, family & peer relationships, survival needs and other crisis intervention services. Bridge counselors will support and listen to you.
Emergency Residence: Short-term transitional residence at the 47 West St. location for homeless youth ages 18 to 24. Youth commit to counseling, employment and continue their education. During the winter months, Bridge opens up the Warming Center, as an adjunct to the ER, each night to youth who need overnight shelter and survival each day from November through April.
Education and Career Development Program: Classes for youth to attain their HiSet. Takes place M – F from 9am – 12pm and 1pm – 4:00pm. Flexible schedule, rolling admissions, guidance counseling for youth who wish to enter or continue college or vocational program.
Transitional Living Program: Long-term transitional residential program. Residents are required to maintain employment, continue their education, and meet weekly with a counselor.
Single Parent Home: Transitional living program for pregnant and parenting homeless young women and their children. Serves up to 10 families at any given time and may stay for up to 2 years.
Housing: Bridge offers a variety of supportive services for youth seeking housing. Liberty House is the next step for young adults who have participated in their Transitional Living Program in Brighton. Bridge also currently participates in rapid re-housing programs for youth based on the “housing first” model. This program with the City of Boston is another avenue to prioritize youth for housing.
Service hours:Intake: Mon. - Fri. 9am - 4:30pm
Mobile Medical Van Hours: Mon. - Fri., 5pm-6:30pm @ Boston Common, 7pm - 8:30pm @ Harvard Square
Youth only, ages 14 to 24
Languages: Spanish, English Transportation Google MapsThe Bristol Lodge Men’s Shelter provides temporary, emergency shelter accommodations for 45 homeless adult men. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are in need of a bed, you must go through the pre-screening process by calling 781-893-0108, Monday through Friday. Phone calls are accepted beginning at 9:00am.
Upon completion of the intake process, clients are given access to individualized case management services, meant to address and provide referrals for a wide spectrum of topics, including housing, employment, mental health, substance abuse, financial insecurity, nutrition and more.
Requirements & Restrictions:
The Bristol Lodge Women’s Shelter provides temporary, emergency shelter accommodations for 12 homeless adult women. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are in need of a bed, you must go through the pre-screening process by calling 781-893-0108, Monday through Friday. Phone calls are accepted beginning at 9:00am.
Upon completion of the intake process, clients are given access to individualized case management services, meant to address and provide referrals for a wide spectrum of topics, including housing, employment, mental health, substance abuse, financial insecurity, nutrition and more.
Requirements & Restrictions:Casa Myrna is Boston’s largest provider of domestic violence awareness efforts and of shelter and supportive services to survivors. Their comprehensive range of services, available in both Spanish and English, provide survivors with tools to recover from the trauma of abuse and begin to build sustainable self-sufficiency.
Free Supports for Survivors
Supportive services are available by appointment during standard office hours.
Hotline is 24/7
Languages: English, Spanish Transportation Google MapsCASPAR (Cambridge And Somerville Program for Addiction Recovery) is a community-based non-profit organization founded in 1970 in response to growing community need for substance use disorder treatment.
FirstStep: The FirstStep Street Outreach program offers life-saving alternatives to unsheltered homeless men and women who are affected by substance use disorder, mental illness and medical complications associated with life on the streets.
Emergency Service Center: The Emergency Service Center (ESC) is one of three shelters in Massachusetts that accept homeless people who are actively using alcohol and drugs. At the ESC clients receive medical and mental health care, nutritional food, personal hygiene supplies, clean clothes, counseling, case management, and employment, housing, and treatment referrals in an environment that is welcoming and safe. The ESC provides a 24-hour shelter, 365 days a year to residents of Cambridge and Somerville.
Residential Programs: Their residential programs are designed to help individuals maintain sobriety, while developing skills they’ll need when they transition to the “real world.”
Requirements & Restrictions:For residents of Cambridge or Somerville.
May be eligible if resident of Cambridge or Somerville before incarceration.
Services meant for people that struggle with substance use disorder addiction.
Catholic Charities operates a number of community service centers in eastern Massachusetts. The centers provide a wide variety of support services including some basic needs emergency assistance, education and training programs, transitional housing for families, child care, and family counseling, and support.
Programs:
For COVID-19 Program Updates, click here.
Service hours:See CCAB website
Other Locations:Catholic Charities Program Locations
Catholic Charities Labouré Center
275 West Broadway, South Boston
617-464-8500
Also home to Refugee and Immigration Services & Community Interpreter Services
Catholic Charities Refugee and Immigration Services
275 West Broadway, South Boston
617-464-8100
Catholic Charities North
117 North Common Street, Lynn
781-593-2312
Catholic Charities South
169 Court Street, Brockton
508-587-0815
Catholic Charities Yawkey Center
185 Columbia Road, Dorchester
617-506-6600
Merrimack Valley Catholic Charities
70 Lawrence Street, Lowell
978-452-1421
Catholic Charities Child Care Locations
Yawkey Child Care Center
185 Columbia Road, Dorchester
617-506-6600
Nazareth Child Care Center
19 St. Joseph Street, Jamaica Plain
617-522-4040
Lynn Child Care Center
37 North Federal Street, Lynn
781-598-5547 ext. 230
Malden Early Education and Learning Program
77 Salem Street, Malden
781-397-6055
Peabody Child Care Center
13 Pulaski Street, Peabody
978-532-6860
Labouré Child Care Center
275 West Broadway, South Boston
617-464-8500
Home Based Family Child Care
6 Pleasant Street, Suite 220
Malden, MA
781-605-3330
Father Bill’s & MainSpring is an emergency shelter for individual adults experiencing homelessness. The main goal is to help people get stabilized and on a pathway toward permanent housing and self-sufficiency. Father Bill’s & MainSpring provides supportive services, access to on-site shower facilities and a medical clinic, and referrals to community agencies, including those in mental health, substance abuse, housing, and employment. 3 meals a day can also be provided.
Service hours:24/7
Other Locations:54 North Main Street
Brockton 02301
508-587-5441
Guests must prove tie or connection to the greater Quincy/Brockton/South Shore area; Must speak to assessment specialist; Male or Female, 18+; Sex offenders must register with Quincy/Brockton Police Department.
Waiting time: Lottery system. No referrals are taken. Languages: Languages are provided on an at-need basis Transportation Google MapsRequirements & Restrictions:
Shelter: 18+; must be drug and alcohol-free; not able to admit guests who are experiencing an acute psychiatric emergency; no registered sex offenders
Transportation Google MapsHarvard Square Homeless Shelter (HSHS) is a dry shelter open from October 15 until April 15. HSHS is student-run and operates out of the basement of University Lutheran Church in Harvard Square. HSHS works to provide guests with shelter, food, security, and a supportive environment of mutual respect. HSHS serves 18 guests per night.
Services:
Reserving a Bed
Season-long beds
Lotteries for beds occur on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays as beds become available. To enter the waitlist, fill out the lottery form online or in-person at the door of the shelter. The waitlist will be refreshed on the first day of every month, so everyone must re-enter the waitlist each month. Winning lottery numbers will be posted on the door and will be available over the phone the morning of each lottery.
Meals (Guests receive breakfast and dinner. Blankets, basic toiletries, and food are available for guests as well as non-guests at the door)
Laundry (HSHS maintains a washer and dryer for guest use)
Computers (Three computers with internet connection and a printer are available for guests throughout their stay)
Referrals (If no beds are available at HSHS, staff will make referrals to other shelters upon request)
Case Management (The Resource Advocacy program provides case-management to guests to help them connect with social services in the Boston/Cambridge area)
Programming (Various partners including healthcare and music come into the space to assist guests)
Service hours:7pm to 8am, except on Saturday mornings when the shelter remains open until 9am
Other Locations:Office Address:
Phillips Brooks House Association
1 Harvard Yard
Cambridge, MA 02138
Self-referral
Dry shelter – no drugs, no alcohol
Transportation Google MapsHeading Home offers a variety of services available to individuals and families. These include:
Shelters & Emergency Services:
Dorchester and Roxbury Family Shelters: 6 emergency assistance shelters for 42 families.
Transitional Housing:
Medford Family Life Education Center: Emergency shelter for 6 families and transitional shelter for 2 families.
Transitional Apartments: 17 supported single-resident apartments for families receiving support services.
Permanent Housing:
Congregate Housing: Supported permanent housing provided for men and women with shared living spaces in Cambridge.
Scattered-Site Apartments
Permanent Housing Partnership: Permanent housing and intensive services for individuals with disabilities, provided through partnerships with housing development corporations.
If you are a homeless individual looking for housing, please contact Michael Montanille, Individual Services Intake Coordinator at 617.864.8140, ext. 119 or download a copy of their application for permanent housing online.
Service hours:Varies by program
Requirements & Restrictions:Different programs may have requirements; ask when applying.
Transportation Google MapsHearth is a non-profit organization dedicated to the elimination of homelessness among the elderly.
Currently, Hearth, Inc. operates 228 units of permanent supportive housing located in seven different buildings throughout the Greater Boston area.
Housing Applications can be found here.
Service hours:M - F: 9am - 5pm
Other Locations:Representation at all major shelter locations.
Requirements & Restrictions:Low income seniors age 55 and up
Waiting time: 1 to 3 weeks Languages: English, Spanish Transportation Google MapsThe mission of the New England Center and Home for Veterans (NECHV) is to equip Veterans who are facing or at-risk of homelessness with the tools for economic sufficiency and to provide them a path to achieve successful and dignified independent living.
A service and care provider for former military service men and women, the NECHV offers a broad array of programs and services that enable success, reintegration, meaningful employment, and independent living.
Services:
Services open 24/7, Office hours are M – F: 9am – 5pm
Requirements & Restrictions:Any person who has served in the U.S Military (active, Guard, Reserve), regardless of era, length or character of service, is a Veteran, and is eligible for services and support from the NECHV.
Transportation Google MapsPine Street Inn partners with homeless individuals to help them move from the streets and shelter to a home, and assists formerly homeless individuals in retaining housing. They provide street outreach, emergency services, supportive housing, job training and connections to employment.
Programs
Other Locations:Women’s Inn at Pine Street:
363 Albany Street, Boston
Shattuck Shelter:
170 Morton Street, Jamaica Plain
Must be homeless; Ages 25 and older only; Alcohol/drugs/drug paraphernalia/weapons are not permitted on premises. Unregistered sex offenders are prohibited from the premises.
Waiting time: Depends on availability Languages: English, Spanish Transportation Google MapsProject Hope is a multi-service agency at the forefront of efforts in Boston to move families up and out of poverty. They provide low-income women with children access to education, jobs, housing, and emergency services.
Services:
Although our building is closed for now, they are here for you. Just call 617-442-1880 or email info@prohope.org.
Click here for COVID-19 resources.
Service hours:M – F: 9am – 5pm
Languages: Spanish, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole Transportation Google MapsRESPOND provides emergency shelter and a range of support services and educational programs to thousands of survivors of domestic violence each year including adults, children, and teens regardless of gender, race, religion, age, or other characteristics. RESPOND staff work with survivors of domestic violence to address their immediate and long-term needs, providing emotional support, counseling, financial resources, information, and referrals. Through RESPOND’s programs, individuals and families in crisis develop the concrete tools necessary to regain control of their own lives – from parenting skills and housing search to financial literacy, and the hands-on experience of advocating for themselves. Services are free, confidential, and currently offered in multiple languages.
RESPOND’s Supportive Services are available to all victims and survivors of domestic violence. They include:
RESPOND’s emergency shelter location is kept confidential to ensure the safety of program participants. Services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. RESPOND’s shelter is wheelchair accessible, and ADA approved. Its spacious Children’s Learning Center offers a safe, colorful play space and programs that promote learning, encourage parental involvement, and connect children and teens to local in- and out-of-school enrichment activities. The average length of stay for residents is 4 months. RESPOND is proud to accept women and men (or any gender identity) into shelter as well as parents with teenage boys – a rarity in Massachusetts.
Service hours:Business office hours: Monday- Friday, 9am-5pm
Support and Intake Line: Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm; At all other times, callers can be connected to state and federal hotlines.
S.A.F.E.R. Program Suffolk County House of Correction at 20 Bradston St Boston, MA, 02118
Waiting time: None Languages: English, Spanish, Amharic, Portuguese, Haitian Creole,The mission of Rosie’s Place is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for poor and homeless women to maintain their dignity, seek opportunity, and find security in their lives.
Service hours:
Hours vary by program
Requirements & Restrictions:Women and anyone who self-identifies as a woman.
Target population: homeless and low-income women
The mission of the Somerville Homeless Coalition is to provide homeless and nearly homeless individuals and families with individualized supportive services and tailored housing solutions with the goal of obtaining and maintaining affordable housing.
Programs
M - F: 9am - 5pm
Languages: English, SpanishSince 1984, St. Francis House has offered basic care and services that make the difference between hope and despair, and often between life and death.
Programs
Hours vary depending on program. Call or visit website for details.
Languages: English, SpanishThe Network provides a variety of services for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community experiencing partner abuse. The organization also provides assistance and referrals to LGBT community members. The web site is in English and Spanish, is kept up-to-date, and has information helpful to the LGBT community.
During both phases, participants can receive a wide range of services, such as advocacy, referrals, supportive counseling, and support group
Hotline is 24/7
Requirements & Restrictions:Target population is battered members of LBT (lesbian, bisexual, and transgender) communities. Will also assist and provide referrals for gay and bisexual men.
Languages: Spanish, English Transportation Google Maps