Family Shelter Community Rooms

Updated:  September, 2011

The following are family shelters with rooms that are available for families who are not eligible for Emergency Assistance through the Department of Transitional Assistance.  There is a high demand for these rooms and thus they are often full.  It is recommended to call them directly to determine availability. 

Greater Boston
* Project Hope
45 Magnolia Street
Dorchester, MA 02125
617-442-1880
Community Rooms:  1
Total Capacity:  1 bed and 1 crib per mother and child.
Wait List: Yes.
Services:  Counseling; individuals cook own meals; referrals; clothing if available; Spanish; handicap accessible; visiting nurse; day program; job training; social supports; workshops.
Restrictions:  Sobriety; no history of drug addiction or domestic violence; generally no males over the age of 14, but male children can be decided on case by case basis.
Referral:  DTA for EA beds; self for community beds.

* Queen of Peace
401 Quincy Street
Boston, MA 02125
617-288-4182
Community Rooms:  11
Total Capacity:  11 beds.
Services:  Dinner & breakfast; clothing if available.
Restrictions:  Only women and children; no males over the age of 4; not heavy on meds, drugs or alcohol; in at 4 pm & out by 9 am;
Referral:  Must be called/referred by an agency.

* Nazareth House
91 Regent Street
Roxbury, MA 02119 .
617-541-0100
Community Rooms: 3 
Total Capacity: 7 DTA families (10 total including community room)
Wait List: Yes.
Services: Advocacy; counseling; meals; transportation.
Restrictions: At least one family member must be HIV positive; women & children only (fathers can be approved on a circumstantial basis); no males over 16 years old; 2 yr limit.
Referral: DTA (EA eligible).

* Sojourner House
85 Rockland Street
Roxbury, MA 02119
617-442-0590
Community Rooms:  1
Total Capacity:  24
Waiting List: Yes.
Services:  Advocacy; food pantry; family life case management; transition to work and housing program.
Restrictions:  Curfew Sunday-Thursday 9pm and Friday-Saturday 12am.
Referral:  DTA referrals; families can call if rejected by DTA.
North of Boston

* Inn Between
25 Holten Street
Peabody, MA 01960
978-532-2372
Community Rooms:  1   
Total Capacity:  One family, no more than 4 persons
Waiting list: yes
Services:  Advocacy; case management, referrals to other social services,
Restrictions:  maximum occupancy is 4 persons per family
Referral:  DTA for EA bed; self for community room

* Lazarus House   
48 Holly Street
Lawrence, MA 01842
978-689-8575
Community Rooms:  6
Total Capacity:  16
Services:  Advocacy; limited counseling; 3 meals/day; clothing; medical and dental once a week.
Restrictions:  Night shelter only; in at 5pm and out at 8am; must be sober while in facility; no boys over 14 year old.
Referral:  Social workers; DTA; places of worship; hospitals; self.

Southeastern Massachusetts

* Sisters of Charity
556 County Street
New Bedford, MA  02740
508-997-7347
Community Rooms:  5
Total Capacity:  5 families.
Wait List: Yes.
Services:  Food & clothing.
Restrictions:  Night shelter only; must be in by 4 pm and out by 8 am; no boys over age 6; 3-week time limit; no drugs or alcohol; women & children only.
Referral:  Social service agency; self.

Metro West

* Pathways Family Shelter (SMOC) *transitioning in October, 2011
248 Edgell Road
Framingham, MA  01701
508-879-5047
Community Rooms:  1 *no longer available after October, 2011
Total Capacity:  13 beds for men and women.
Wait List: No.
Services:  Advocacy; counseling community kitchen; food 3 meals/day clothing by referral; limited transportation; storage facilities.
Restrictions:  Only accepting teen families; sobriety in shelter; 12am cerfew on weekends.
Referral:  DTA for EA bed; self for community room.

* MetroWest Interfaith Hospitality Network
13 Common St., Natick, MA  01760
P.O. Box 847
508-318-4820
Community Rooms:  4 (4 families).
Total Capacity:  14 beds for men and women.
Wait List: Yes.
Services:  3 weeks length of stay; meals; referrals; case management; transportation
Restrictions: 
Referral:  Self; social service agencies.

Central Massachusetts
* Abbey's House
52 High Street
Worcester, MA 01609
508-756-5486
Community Rooms:  10
Total Capacity: 10
Referral:  Self.

* Friendly House
87 Elm Street
Worcester 01609
508-792-1799
Community Rooms: 2
Wait List:  No, persons must call back to check the status of open beds.
Total Capacity: 13 beds for men and women.
Services: Advocacy; referrals; handicap access.
Referral: DHCD; self for community beds.

* Interfaith Hospitality Networks in Massachusetts
o Greater Worcester Interfaith Hospitality Network Family Shelter
508-798-6732 -Worcester Network
Community Rooms:  All (5 rooms)
Total Capacity:14 beds.
Wait List: Yes.
Services:  Wide variety of services from basic needs to case management. 
Restrictions:  Sobriety for at least 6 months.
Referral:  Self; social service agencies.

o Montachusett Interfaith Hospitality Network, Transitional Housing
978-840-9500 -- Fitchburg 
Community Rooms:  All (8 rooms)
Total Capacity: 8 families.  Families are considered as single parents, extended family members, couples, and those who are pregnant.
Wait List: Yes.
Length of Stay: No limit.
Services:  Wide variety of services from basic needs to case management.  Families must participate in the savings program where 75% of income is saved.  Other weekly programs offered consist of financial literacy, housing, parenting, GED, etc.  Other services such as play pals and Birthday Wishes are available for children and CAN training is available through collaboration with the Red Cross.  A mentoring program is established and follow up care is provided 18 months after leaving the shelter. 
Restrictions:  Sobriety, except for those using methadone for recovery; no single individuals; no sex offenders of those with domestic violence; no drugs or alcohol; residents must maintain chores and be at supper every night at 5:30 (except Monday's are at 5pm) unless a preapproved absences is granted; nutritious meals must be provided to children; 10:00pm curfew.
Referral:  Self; Social service agencies; Local service providers; DCF; City Hall; other non-profit organizations.

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