Commonwealth of Massachusetts Safety Net Family Shelter

In December 2023, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts announced the opening of a Safety Net Family Shelter at the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds Building, located at 208 Cambridge Street in East Cambridge. This initiative aimed to provide shelter for families eligible for Emergency Assistance (EA) when they cannot be immediately placed into an EA unit. The City of Cambridge worked closely with the Commonwealth’s team to ensure the site met necessary safety requirements and was supported by the surrounding neighborhood.

The site, which was used in the evening and overnight hours, ensured that families -- who were initially assessed at a state intake site and confirmed to be eligible for Emergency Assistance -- had a warm and safe place to stay overnight until an Emergency Assistance shelter unit is available.

The Middlesex South Registry of Deeds space accommodated up to 70 families with cots and amenities. The state worked with a provider and local community partners to coordinate transportation to daytime resources. 24-hour security was provided on-site.

After the Healey-Driscoll administration had previously announced changes to its Emergency Assistance (EA) prioritization and safety-net sites for families experiencing homelessness, the Temporary Respite Center located at the Registry of Deeds building in East Cambridge was closed by the Commonwealth on December 9, 2024. The Commonwealth is continuing to operate three Temporary Respite Centers (Chelsea, Lexington and Norfolk) as well as all existing permanent family shelters. All families that were still at the center in Cambridge secured short-term accomodations and/or leases to apartments through funds from the HomeBase program prior to its closing.

Learn more:

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Changes to Emergency Assistance Prioritization, Safety-Net Sites | Mass.gov.

Learn more about the Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter Contact List | Mass.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

Who will use the Safety Net Family Shelter?

The state led and managed site will ensure that families -- who are initially assessed at a state intake site and confirmed to be eligible for Emergency Assistance -- have a warm and safe place to stay overnight until an Emergency Assistance shelter unit is available. While many of the families entering the Family Shelter system are migrants, refugees or asylum seekers, families who are fleeing domestic violence, a no-fault eviction or whose children are exposed to a substantial health and safety risk may be eligible to apply.

The EA Emergency Family Shelter system is for families with children under 21 years of age and individuals who are pregnant. Families who are facing homelessness can apply by phone at (866) 584-0653. For additional information on the Commonwealth Emergency Housing Assistance Programs, visit https://www.mass.gov/emergency-housing-assistance.

The Middlesex South Registry of Deeds space will ultimately be able to accommodate up to 70 families with cots and amenities. While walk-ins are not accepted at the Registry of Deeds for overnight and evening stays, they can access the space to apply, so that their application can be reviewed, and the eligibility process can begin.

When did the shelter open?

The Safety Net Family Shelter opened on Friday, December 22, 2023.

What are the shelter's hours and how many people can it serve?

Safety Net Family Shelter will operate during the evening and overnight hours. The state is working with provider AMI and local community partners to coordinate transportation to daytime resources generally outside of Cambridge.

The service areas have the capacity to accommodate approximately 70 families.

Who will be working at the family shelter?

The Safety Net Family Shelter will be managed by AMI, an organization the state works with on other Emergency Assistance shelters.

How can I help the families or people working at the shelter?

If you are interested in supporting the Safety Net Shelter Site in Cambridge, please read the following. The state is leading the effort to care for families and ensure that their basic needs are met. The City is communicating regularly with shelter staff and will let the community know if there are in-kind donations that would be helpful.

In the interim, if you are interested in supporting the community through our nonprofit partners supporting new arrivals and homeless individuals and families, please see the opportunities below.

Volunteering Opportunities

Brazilian Worker’s Center- Family Welcome Center

Volunteer Form:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScSz1gf8kps2I3sImYQ75lcO_iHnd-YqFN6ULen39WXS-W1YA/viewform

Link to Donate:https://braziliancenter.org/ways-to-give/

Donations

Where you can support Organizations Supporting New Arrivals

International Institute of New England:https://iine.org/

People can also now bring donations to either of the following State Welcome Centers:

Quincy Family Welcome Center: Cove Fine Arts Center 56 Wendell Ave, Quincy MA 02170
Allston Family Welcome Center: Brazilian Worker Center 14 Harvard Ave #2 Allston, MA 02134

Where you can support Shelters for Unhoused Families

Hildebrand:https://hild-selfhelp.org/

YWCA Cambridge:https://cambridge-housing.org/ywca/
Transition House:https://www.transitionhouse.org/

Where you can support Shelters for Unhoused Individuals

Baycove Human Services/ Cambridge and Somerville Programs for Addiction Recovery:https://www.baycovehumanservices.org/caspar

Cambridge Salvation Army:https://massachusetts.salvationarmy.org/MA/Cambridge?openDocument&charset=utf-8
First Church Shelter:https://www.firstchurchcambridge.org/first-church-shelter/
Y2Y Harvard Square:https://www.y2ynetwork.org/harvard-square
HSHS:https://hshshelter.org/
Green Street Shelter:https://solutionsatwork.org/home/

Visit here to find additional information regarding local homeless services.

Why aren’t the City’s homeless shelters sufficient for this need?

The Safety Net Family Shelter is run by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' and works with the Continuum of Care to provide safe shelter for all people experiencing homelessness. In addition to safety-net shelter options like the shelter in East Cambridge, the state run Family Welcome Centers in Allston and Quincy offer services, including hot meals and basic necessities like diapers, warm clothes, and hygiene kits. They work with families on a case-by-case basis to determine safe housing alternatives and connect them with community-based services and behavioral health supports.

Locally, the City of Cambridge offers the Winter Warming Center, the Transition Wellness Center, and the Multi-Service Center and works with other Cambridge non-profits in a shared mission to provide safe shelter for people experiencing homelessness and to connect them with resources that promote their wellbeing.

Why was the Safety Net Family Shelter site in East Cambridge chosen?

This location opened in Cambridge, as demand for shelters across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been driven primarily by the high cost and limited availability of housing, a surging number of newly-arriving migrant families and a decreased number of families leaving long-term emergency shelter. Since January 2023, EOHLC worked to increase the number of shelter units to meet the increased demand, entering into emergency contracts with service providers and seeking housing space across the state.

There were a number of variables associated with the Registry of Deeds location, including the fact that it offered plenty of available indoor space.

How long will families be staying at the shelter?

A majority of families are expected to stay at the Safety Net Family Shelter for a matter of days, as they wait for an Emergency Assistance shelter unit to become available. The Family Shelter is expected to remain open at least through the winter months.

Why was utility work done on Second Street near the Shelter?

Utility work was conducted in January 2024 in order to install mobile shower facilities -- for temporary use in the parking lot --- that are exclusively accessible for guests staying at the State's new Safety Net Family Shelter.

How can we ensure that the neighborhood will be safe from those attending the family shelter?

The ability to provide security for the facility and surrounding community was a top consideration by the State for the Safety Net Family Center. 24-hour security will be provided on-site by the State and they will be supported by Cambridge Police Officers who patrol the East Cambridge neighborhood. The proposed configuration and security plan will minimize any potential impact or disruption to the immediate neighborhood.

Where can I learn more about the shelter? Have there been any community meetings?

Officials from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and City of Cambridge hosted a virtual information session about the new Safety Net Family Shelter on December 28, 2023. Learn about the state shelter, the families it is supporting, how the community can help, and more. State and city officials also answered questions about the shelter.

If there are further community questions or concerns regarding the Safety Net Family Shelter, who can residents or businesses contact?

Any resident, business or non-profit organization in the city can email housingliaison@cambridgema.gov or call (617) 349-7222.

The EA Emergency Family Shelter system is for families with children under 21 years of age and individuals who are pregnant. Families who are facing homelessness can apply by phone at (866) 584-0653. For additional information on the Commonwealth Emergency Housing Assistance Programs, visit https://www.mass.gov/emergency-housing-assistance.