Emergency Assistance, HomeBASE (Short Term Assistance) & Emergency Shelter

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To browse additional EA materials, scroll down the list of categories in the left hand column -- click on the EA subcategory that is of interest. Or, use the search box above. 

Although the Emergency Assistance (EA) program is administered by the Division of Housing Stabilization (DHS) of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), homeless families apply for EA at Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) local offices. 

On August 1, 2012, DHCD began implementing a new program called HomeBASE to serve families who are eligible for EA with resources intended to help them access temporary housing instead of EA shelter. Materials related to HomeBase can be found in the HomeBASE subcategory.

Materials about homeless children and eduction are in the Homeless Children category of the Education library section.

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DHCD Staff Contact Information

DHCD
DHCD field and central office staff contact information.  

Questions and Answers on Homelessness

Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
This handout, with commonly asked questions about homelessness, was produced by the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation.

OLGT 2016-49: Cross Programs: DHCD/DTA Protocols Involving Families Seeking Emergency Assistance (EA) and Other Housing Assistance Services

DTA
Protocols have been established for Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and DTA staff for providing Emergency Assistance (EA) and other housing assistance services at TAOs. In addition to having staff co-located at several TAOs, DHCD also offers remote access…

Emergency Assistance Application Guide for Families

MLRI and Rosie's Place
An easy-to-read guide from MLRI and Rosie's Place to applying for EA shelter - for families! (In both English and Spanish.)

Emergency Assistance (EA) Shelter: The Top Ten Things for Advocates to Know

Ruth Bourquin, MLRI
Top ten things advocates should know about Emergency Assistance (Shelter) 1. Provided by the Division of Housing Stabilization (DHS) of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) at local offices of the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA). 2. For families…

Access to Emergency Shelter and Resources for Families Experiencing Homelessness

Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless
Click the "Go to Website" link below to access information from the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless about resources for those who are homeless, or at imminent risk of being homeless.

Non-EA Shelter lists

GBLS
List of Non-EA Community Rooms, in English and Spanish. .

DHCD Housing Stabilization Notice 2013-02: HomeBASE Transition to Emergency Assistance

DHCD
Introduction This Housing Stabilization Notice (HSN) is intended to clarify how families in the time-limited HomeBASE Rental Assistance (HBRA) program who have reached the end of their 24-month subsidy are to be considered if they re-apply for Emergency Assistsance (EA). In summary: HBRA…

Ops Memo 2013-15: The Secure Jobs Connect Program

DTA
Overview DTA is partnering with the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness (ICHH) in a program entitled, Secure Jobs Connect. The goal of the Secure Jobs Connect program is job…

Out in the Cold: Homeless Children in Crisis in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
From the Executive Summary of the report: "In September 2012, Massachusetts imposed new restrictions on eligibility for emergency shelter for homeless families with children. Under the new regulations, many families are not eligible for shelter until they become so desperate that their…

Emergency Assistance Shelter and Hotel/Motel Listings

DHCD
Attached is a list of the hotels and motels that DHCD is using for Emergency Assistance (EA) shelter placements in Massachusetts.  The list includes name and contact information for each location. Also attached is a spreadsheet of shelter placements in Massachusetts, by region and provider.

Give Them Shelter: The Crisis for Homeless Children in Massachusetts

MLRI,
From MLRI's website: "Effective August 6, 2012, the Massachusetts Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) implemented new regulations that deny the vast majority of homeless families with children access to emergency shelter through the Emergency Assistance program. Public…

Intersections among Emergency Assistance, HomeBASE, and RAFT

MA Coalition for the Homeless
MA Coalition for the Homeless has created a chart illustrating the relationship between EA, RAFT and HomeBASE..  Click the "Go to Website" link below to download the chart from MCH's website.

Memo Re DHCD’s Proposed Changes to “Final” Emergency Assistance Regulations and Guidance

MLRI and MCH
Memo prepared by Masschasutts Law Reform Institute and Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless discussing DHCD's proposed changes to the Emergency Assistance regulations.  The memo notes that although some of the planned changes are very important and meaningful, there are still several…

Video Testimony From Two Statewide Hearings About Emergency Assistance

various
The following are links to videos of extensive testimony that was presented in October 2012 at two hearings about the impact of revised emergency assistance regulations on homeless families in Massachusetts.Testimony presented in Western Massachusetts…

Arise, et al. v. DHCD (Decision)

Janet Sanders, Superior Court Justice, Suffolk
Arise, et al v. DHCD was filed to enjoin DHCD from promulgating regulations which would restrict access to Emergency Assistance. Among other policies challenged was the restriction of EA to only four categories of applicants notwithstanding broader eligibility enumerated by the legislature, and…

Arise, et al. v. DHCD (Complaint, Motion for Preliminary Injunction & Memo in Support)

MLRI
Arise et al v. DHCD is a lawsuit filed seeking to enjoin DHCD from promulgating emergency regulations and revising its policies to implement restrictive new rules for determining when a family's health and safety are sufficiently at risk to qualify the family for emergency shelter.Attached are the…

Fact Sheet -- Proposed Restrictions to the Emergency Assistance Progam

MLRI
On July 17, 2012, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) gave the Legislature 60 days advance notice of proposed changes restricting access to emergency assistance (EA) shelter for homeless families with children. For more information, download this fact sheet.

A Bridge to Where? Short-Term Housing Assistance for Homeless Families in Massachusetts . . .

Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
A Bridge to Where? Short-Term Housing Assistance for Homeless Families in Massachusetts and the Ongoing Need for Affordable Housing and Emergency Shelter. A 2010 policy paper concerning family homelessness policies which identifies concerns related to the state’s heavy reliance on…

Emergency Assistance Statute Governing DHCD

Massachusetts
The Emergency Assistance (EA) statute, G.L. c. 23B, section 30, as created by St. 2009, c. 4, section 37 and amended by St. 2009, c. 27, sections 13-16.  Includes thethe non-codified provisions at St. 2009, c. 27, sections 109 and 142 (as well as annual line item 7004-0101).

DHCD phone numbers for EA program

DHCD
Attached is the list of phone numbers for staff transferring from DTA to DHCD. Note that the actual toll-free number for DHCD is 877-418-3308. Also attached is a letter that was sent to Legislators yesterday along with a list of local office staff numbers that was sent to them. You may find these…

EA transfer from DTA to DHCD-- posters that explain the move (Spanish and English)

DHCD
Attached are posters for DTA offices about the transfer.

Outside Section 142, from FY 10 state budget - St. 2009, c. 37

Massachusetts Legislature
Outside Section 142, from FY 10 state budget - St. 2009, c. 37 SECTION 142. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, applications for assistance from the emergency housing program established in section 30 of chapter 23B of the General Laws shall be taken and processed at…