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Emergency Housing Help Programs

The Division of Housing Stabilization (DHS) provides emergency housing help to eligible Massachusetts individuals and families. This includes help with eviction, foreclosure and emergency shelter.

Find help today

Apply: RAFT - Eviction or foreclosure support   Apply: EA Family Shelter and HomeBASE (same application) 
Locate a shelter: Individuals (18+ years old)  Locate a shelter: youth and young adult (less than 24 years old) 

Eviction and Foreclosure Resources

RAFT Program

The Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program provides short-term emergency funding to help you with: Eviction, Foreclosure, Loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies.

Apply for RAFT  RAFT process for Landlords  Tenants' guide to eviction  

Emergency Shelter: Family

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

Shelter is a temporary place to stay as you search for your next place to live. Find out if you're eligible for the Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter program, learn how to apply and find information if you are already living in family shelter.

Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter   HomeBASE supports housing expenses for EA eligible families 

Emergency Shelter: Youth and Adults

Shelter for youth and young adults

People 24 and younger can find specialized housing options and support services. If you are 18+, you can also stay in adult shelter, see below.

Youth & young adult shelter and help 

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 

Other Help

Get monthly help paying for heat

Learn More about Get monthly help paying for heat

Domestic violence resources

Learn More about Domestic violence resources

Referrals for food, daycare, healthcare, etc.

Learn More about Referrals for food, daycare, healthcare, etc.

Other homelessness resources

BoS Continuum of Care (CoC): Metro, Metro West, North Shore, and Middlesex 

Housing Search Resources

The following resources can help support a longer-term housing search.

How to start looking for Affordable Housing  Apartment Hunting Tips   Housing resources for older adults  Housing resources for people with disabilities  Housing Resources Hotline via Mass 211 (1-877-211-6277) 

Housing Help Hub Login

Housing Help Hub is the Emergency Housing application and program portal for RAFT, Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter, and HomeBASE. It is for both applicants and landlords.  

Login here to:

  • Check your application status
  • Upload Documents 
  • For families living in Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter, you can complete forms for:
    • Reasonable Accommodations
    • Transfers and 
    • Inspections 
Housing Help Hub Portal  

Division of Housing Stabilization Data and Tools

ReHousing Data Collective Dashboard on Homelessness in MA  EA Family Shelter Program Data, Regulations and Resources   Balance of State (BoS) Continuum of Care (CoC) Program  Special Commission on Emergency Housing Assistance Programs - 2024  

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