Massachusetts has one of the most comprehensive homeless services systems in the United States — and one of the most expensive housing markets. The state has a legal right to shelter for families with children, making it one of only a handful of states where families cannot be turned away. Over 20,000 people experience homelessness in Massachusetts on any given night, concentrated in Boston but present in every county across the state.
Emergency hotel and motel voucher programs operate across Massachusetts, and the state has several programs that go beyond what most states offer. This guide from House for Homeless covers how to access emergency hotel assistance anywhere in Massachusetts tonight. For programs in other states, see our hotel vouchers for homeless national guide.
Need a hotel voucher in Massachusetts tonight? Call 211 immediately — Massachusetts 211 is available 24 hours. Tell the operator your city or town and that you need emergency hotel or motel assistance. Veterans call 877-424-3838.
How Emergency Hotel Vouchers Work in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has a more centralized approach to emergency housing than most states. The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) plays a significant role in coordinating homelessness programs statewide, including the state’s Emergency Assistance (EA) program — which is the nation’s strongest family right-to-shelter system.
Emergency hotel and motel assistance in Massachusetts comes through:
- Massachusetts Emergency Assistance (EA) program — provides shelter including hotel placements for eligible families
- Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) — administers emergency housing funds through local offices
- Community Action Agencies — a strong statewide CAA network
- Continuums of Care — the Boston CoC is one of the largest in New England; regional CoCs cover the rest of the state
- Nonprofits and faith-based organizations
Always call 211 first. Massachusetts 211 covers all 14 counties.
Massachusetts-Specific Programs: Critical Programs to Know
Massachusetts Emergency Assistance (EA) Program — Family Right to Shelter
Massachusetts is one of the few states with a legal right to shelter for families with children. The EA program guarantees shelter placement for eligible families — and when family shelter is full, the state places families in hotels and motels at state expense.
Who qualifies for EA family shelter:
- Families with children under 21
- Pregnant women
- Households fleeing domestic violence
- Must meet income limits (generally at or below 115% of FPL)
- Must have a child under 21 or be pregnant
How to access EA family shelter: Apply at your local DTA office or call DTA at 877-382-2363. In an emergency, go to the nearest DTA office or call 211. Families are not turned away regardless of shelter bed availability — hotel placements are used when shelter is full.
See our guide on housing assistance for single mothers for related programs.
Massachusetts Individual Homeless Assistance (IHA)
For single adults experiencing homelessness, Massachusetts funds emergency shelter through the IHA program. Unlike EA, there is no legal right to shelter for single adults — but state-funded emergency shelter programs operate across the state.
Contact: Call 211 or the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance at 617-367-6447.
Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA)
DTA administers public benefits including SNAP, cash assistance (TAFDC and EAEDC), and some emergency housing assistance. Local DTA offices can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements for individuals and families in acute crisis.
DTA contact: 877-382-2363 Website: mass.gov/dta Local office finder: mass.gov/orgs/department-of-transitional-assistance
Who Provides Hotel Vouchers in Massachusetts by Region
Boston and Greater Boston (Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk counties)
Boston’s Emergency Shelter Commission (ESC) The City of Boston’s lead agency for homeless services. ESC coordinates Boston’s comprehensive emergency housing system.
- Pine Street Inn Referral Line (24 hours): 617-960-7885
- Website: cityofboston.gov/homeless
Pine Street Inn Boston’s largest homeless service organization, providing emergency shelter and housing services for men, women, and families.
- Phone: 617-960-7885
- Address: 444 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118
- Website: pinestreetinn.org
- Intake: 24 hours; call first
HomeStart Rapid rehousing and emergency housing services in Boston.
- Phone: 617-542-0338
- Website: homestart.org
Salvation Army of Greater Boston Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 617-542-5420
- Address: 147 Berkeley St, Boston, MA 02116
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Boston Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 617-542-3377
- Website: ccab.org
Women’s Lunch Place (women) Day shelter and services for women experiencing homelessness in Boston.
- Phone: 617-247-1029
- Website: womenslunchplace.org
Rosie’s Place (women) Emergency shelter and housing services for women in Boston.
- Phone: 617-442-9322
- Website: rosiesplace.org
Boston MBHP (Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership) Administers rental assistance and emergency housing funds in the Boston area.
- Phone: 617-859-0400
- Website: mbhp.org
Heading Home Rapid rehousing and emergency housing for families in the Boston area.
- Phone: 617-864-8140
- Website: headinghomeinc.org
DTA Boston Regional Office Emergency assistance for Boston area residents.
- Phone: 617-348-5354
Worcester and Central Massachusetts
Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance (CMHA) Lead CoC coordinator for Central Massachusetts.
- Phone: 508-791-7800
- Website: cmhaonline.org
YOU Inc. / Center for Hope (families and youth) Emergency shelter and housing services in Worcester.
- Phone: 508-849-5600
- Website: youinc.org
Salvation Army of Worcester Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 508-756-0771
- Address: 74 Weed St, Worcester, MA 01602
Catholic Charities Diocese of Worcester Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 508-798-0191
- Website: ccworcester.org
Worcester DTA Office Emergency assistance for Worcester area residents.
- Phone: 508-453-0500
Springfield and Western Massachusetts
New England Farm Workers’ Council (NEFWC) / Springfield CoC Lead CoC for Western Massachusetts.
- Phone: 413-532-1882
Friends of the Homeless (Springfield) Emergency shelter and housing services in Springfield.
- Phone: 413-733-1669
- Address: 769 Worthington St, Springfield, MA 01103
- Website: friendsofthehomeless.org
- Intake: Daily — call for current hours
Salvation Army of Springfield Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 413-733-1518
- Address: 1 Holbeck St, Springfield, MA 01103
Catholic Charities Diocese of Springfield Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 413-733-3111
- Website: cdspringfield.org
Hampden County DTA Office Emergency assistance for Springfield area residents.
- Phone: 413-452-3100
Lowell, Lawrence and Northeast Massachusetts (Middlesex, Essex counties)
Lowell Transitional Living Center Emergency shelter and housing services in Lowell.
- Phone: 978-453-7744
- Website: ltlc.org
Lawrence Community Works Housing assistance and emergency resources in Lawrence.
- Phone: 978-974-0770
- Website: lawrencecommunityworks.org
Salvation Army of Lowell Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 978-453-3000
Greater Lawrence Community Action Council Community Action Agency providing emergency housing assistance in the Lawrence area.
- Phone: 978-681-4900
- Website: glcac.org
Cape Cod and Southeast Massachusetts (Barnstable, Plymouth, Bristol counties)
Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC) — Cape Cod Primary emergency housing provider on Cape Cod.
- Phone: 508-771-5400
- Website: haconcapecod.org
Father Bill’s & MainSpring (Brockton and Quincy) Comprehensive homeless services in Southeast Massachusetts.
- Phone: 508-580-5700
- Website: helpfatherbills.org
Salvation Army of New Bedford Emergency assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 508-993-9211
Gosnold / Community Connections (Cape Cod) Emergency housing and behavioral health services.
- Phone: 508-775-4000
Who Qualifies for Hotel Vouchers in Massachusetts
| Priority Group | Massachusetts-Specific Notes |
|---|---|
| Families with children | Legal right to shelter — state MUST provide housing; EA program |
| People sleeping outside or in vehicles | High priority for single adults; no legal right but strong programs |
| Domestic violence survivors | Jane Doe Inc. (MA DV coalition): 617-248-0922 |
| Veterans | Strong VA resources in Boston, Bedford, Brockton, Northampton |
| Seniors (60+) | Priority in most county programs |
| Youth ages 18–24 | Boston’s LGBTQ+ youth programs; YOU Inc. in Worcester |
| LGBTQ+ individuals | Boston has specific LGBTQ+ affirming programs — ask 211 |
| Pregnant women | Eligible for EA family shelter program |
| Couples | Hotel placements address gender-separated shelter barriers |
| People with pets | Limited — call 211 specifically; some MA programs accommodate pets |
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Massachusetts — Step by Step
Step 1: Call 211 — available 24 hours statewide.
Step 2: If you are a family with children or pregnant, call DTA immediately at 877-382-2363 and ask about EA family shelter. This is your strongest program — Massachusetts law guarantees you shelter.
Step 3: If you are in Boston, call Pine Street Inn at 617-960-7885 — available 24 hours.
Step 4: If you are in Worcester, call CMHA at 508-791-7800 or YOU Inc. at 508-849-5600.
Step 5: If you are in Springfield, call Friends of the Homeless at 413-733-1669.
Step 6: Contact your local DTA office and ask about emergency housing assistance.
Step 7: If you are a veteran, call 877-424-3838 immediately.
What to Do During Your Massachusetts Hotel Placement
Apply for food assistance immediately: Apply for Massachusetts SNAP at dtaconnect.eohhs.mass.gov or call DTA at 877-382-2363. With zero income you qualify for maximum benefits and expedited 7-day processing. See our guide on how to apply for SNAP when homeless.
Apply for MassHealth (Medicaid): Apply at mass.gov/masshealth. MassHealth covers healthcare, mental health, and substance use treatment.
If you are a family, apply for EA shelter: Call DTA at 877-382-2363 immediately. Massachusetts EA program is the strongest family right-to-shelter program in the country — you are entitled to shelter as a family with children.
Enter coordinated entry: In Boston, connect with the Boston Emergency Shelter Commission. Elsewhere, call 211. This is your pathway to rapid rehousing and permanent housing. See our guide on types of housing assistance programs for all options.
Apply for rapid rehousing: Call 211 and ask for rapid rehousing referrals. Boston, Worcester, and Springfield all have active programs. See our emergency rental assistance guide for another immediate option.
Apply for Section 8: Contact your local Massachusetts PHA. Boston Housing Authority: 617-988-4000. Massachusetts PHAs have extremely long waitlists — apply now and to multiple PHAs. See our Section 8 guide and browse all housing voucher programs for more options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a free hotel voucher for homeless in Massachusetts?
Call 211 from anywhere in Massachusetts — available 24 hours. If you are a family with children or pregnant, call DTA at 877-382-2363 immediately — Massachusetts law guarantees families shelter through the EA program. In Boston, call Pine Street Inn at 617-960-7885. In Worcester, call CMHA at 508-791-7800. In Springfield, call Friends of the Homeless at 413-733-1669.
Does Massachusetts have a right to shelter?
Yes — for families with children and pregnant women. Massachusetts’s Emergency Assistance (EA) program guarantees shelter for eligible families. When shelter is full, the state places families in hotels and motels. Single adults do not have a legal right to shelter, but strong nonprofit programs exist statewide. Call DTA at 877-382-2363 if you are a family.
What is Massachusetts’s Emergency Assistance (EA) program?
The EA program is Massachusetts’s family right-to-shelter program. Eligible families with children under 21 (and pregnant women) cannot be turned away from the state shelter system. When traditional shelter is full, the state places families in hotels or motels at state expense. Apply through DTA at 877-382-2363 or at your local DTA office.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless families in Massachusetts?
Yes — and families have the strongest protections of any state. Massachusetts law guarantees shelter for eligible families. Call DTA at 877-382-2363 immediately. You will be placed in shelter or, if shelter is full, in a hotel or motel at state expense. This is your most powerful program.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Massachusetts?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 rather than general 211 lines. Massachusetts has VA resources in Boston (VA Boston Healthcare System), Bedford (Edith Nourse Rogers VA), Brockton (VA Brockton), and Northampton (VA Northampton) with dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH and SSVF rapid rehousing.
What if I am a single adult homeless in Massachusetts?
Single adults do not have a legal right to shelter in Massachusetts — that protection applies only to families. However, strong programs exist. In Boston, call Pine Street Inn at 617-960-7885. Statewide, call 211. The Massachusetts Individual Homeless Assistance program funds emergency shelter for single adults. Apply to Section 8 waitlists and look into rapid rehousing referrals through 211.
What is MassHealth?
MassHealth is Massachusetts’s name for Medicaid — free healthcare for low-income residents. Massachusetts has very broad Medicaid eligibility. Apply at mass.gov/masshealth or through the Health Connector at 1-877-623-6765. MassHealth covers medical, dental, mental health, and substance use treatment.
How long do hotel vouchers last in Massachusetts?
For EA-eligible families, hotel placements continue as long as the family remains eligible and shelter beds are unavailable — the state must house them. For single adults, most emergency placements last 1–7 nights. Connect with a case manager on Day 1 and enter coordinated entry immediately to pursue permanent housing options.