Emergency shelter 

 

Homeless Shelter Directory 

• Find a shelter near you at https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/state/massachusetts  

​

Department of Housing and Community Development 

Call (866) 584-0653 for assistance.

​

Families facing a housing crisis may be deemed eligible if they meet the following criteria: 

• Resident of Massachusetts 

• Meet the gross income standards for Emergency Assistance 

• Have needy children under the age of 21, or be pregnant 

​

The reason for homelessness is one of the following: 

• No-fault fire, flood, natural disaster, condemnation, or foreclosure 

• Fleeing domestic violence (current or within past 12 months) 

• No-fault eviction 

• Children are exposed to a substantial health and safety risk 

​

Rental Assistance 

 

Emergency Rental Assistance Program 

To qualify for rental assistance in Massachusetts, you must: 

• Have an income no more than 80 percent of the area median income (AMI) 

• Be able to prove a financial hardship related to COVID-19 

• Be at risk of homelessness or housing instability 

​

Apply at https://www.mass.gov/how-to/how-to-apply-for-emergency-housing-payment-assistance

​

​

Homeowner Mortgage Assistance

​

The Massachusetts Homeowner Assistance Fund (Mass HAF) 

HAF is Available to homeowners that are at least 3 months behind on their mortgage payments because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  ​

​

Apply

To apply, go to massmortgagehelp.org. You will need to register for an account using your email address. The application is available in multiple languages. 

 

You may be eligible for Mass HAF if you:  

• Own AND live in live in a single-family home, condominium or 2- 3- or 4-family home located in Massachusetts  

• Lost income or your living expenses went up on or after January 21, 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

• Have missed at least 3 mortgage payments since January 21, 2020.   

• Meet income requirements (150% of the Area Median Income)   

​

Getting Help  

For general information about the Mass HAF program and updates on your application status, you can call the HAF Call Center at (833) 270–2953, Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. (interpreter services are available).