Commonwealth of Massachusetts Rapid Track Family Shelter

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts will be opening a “Rapid Track Shelter” at the end of April 2025, at what has been a vacant office building located at Sidney Street near Tudor and Emily Streets.

The shelter, part of the Commonwealth’s Emergency Assistance Family Shelter system, is designed for eligible families in Massachusetts who are experiencing homelessness (eligible families must have children under 21 years of age and/or individuals who are pregnant) to stay while they work with case managers to find and move into stable, permanent housing. The Cambridge Rapid Track Shelter will serve approximately 60-65 families (up to 200 individuals) at any one time.

At these shelters, families can stay for up to 30 business days and they will have access to meals, showers, basic necessities, and intensive case management services to help them find long-term housing. 

It will be staffed 24/7 by the shelter provider (SOS International), as well as a private security company. SOS International will also work with the Cambridge Police and Fire Departments, as needed. Only eligible families, staff and approved partners will have access to the facility. Walk-ins will not be accepted.

The City of Cambridge has been actively working with the Commonwealth’s team to ensure the shelter will meet the necessary safety, inspection and building code requirements. The City’s Office of Housing Liaison is coordinating between Cambridge, the state, and City departments.

The shelter is expected to begin hosting families following facility upgrades and building approvals by the City’s Inspectional Services and Fire Departments.

This is the second Emergency Assistance shelter to open in Cambridge. A Safety Net Family Shelter was located in East Cambridge at the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds and operational between December 2023 – December 2024.