About Housing & Financial for Women
Housing and financial assistance for women combines federal programs (HUD, TANF, SNAP, LIHEAP) with state and local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), with VAWA giving survivors of domestic violence priority and emergency transfer rights. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing run through HUD's Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry. Mothers with custodial children typically qualify for TANF cash assistance and family-priority housing. Community action agencies and 211 lines coordinate utility help, emergency funds, and rent assistance. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 referral lines, and community action agencies.
Housing & Financial in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Probate and Family Courts handle divorce, custody, paternity, and child support in each of its 14 counties. The Department of Revenue Child Support Enforcement Division runs enforcement. Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Cambridge, and Lowell are the largest cities. Greater Boston Legal Services, Community Legal Aid, Volunteer Lawyers Project, and Jane Doe Inc. (MA DV/SA coalition) serve women.
17 Resources
EOHLC (formerly DHCD) at 100 Cambridge Street administers state public housing, the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, RAFT emergency assistance, and the Emergency Assistance family shelter program. Mothers facing eviction or homelessness can call 617-573-1100 weekdays 8:45am-5pm to get routed to the right program; many programs are administered through regional housing agencies.
617-573-1100 · 100 Cambridge St, Suite 300, Boston, MA 02114 · Mon-Fri 8:45am-5pm · Visit Website
MRVP is Massachusetts's state-funded mobile and project-based rental voucher program — distinct from federal Section 8 — supplementing rent for very-low-income households. Wait lists are administered through regional housing agencies and local housing authorities. Call EOHLC at 617-573-1100 weekdays 8:45am-5pm to find your nearest administering agency. Free to apply.
617-573-1100 · 100 Cambridge St, Suite 300, Boston, MA 02114 · Mon-Fri 8:45am-5pm · Visit Website
Way Finders at 1780 Main Street in Springfield is the regional housing agency for Hampden County, administering MRVP, Section 8, RAFT, HomeBASE, and housing counseling. Particularly important for Western MA mothers facing eviction; staff also run first-time homebuyer workshops. Call 413-233-1600 Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm. Bilingual Spanish-English services standard.
413-233-1600 · 1780 Main St, Springfield, MA 01103 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website
Metro Housing Boston at 1411 Tremont Street administers Section 8 and MRVP vouchers, RAFT and HomeBASE emergency funds, and homelessness prevention services across 30 cities and towns in greater Boston. Mothers facing a notice to quit can call 617-859-0400 weekdays 9am-5pm for immediate eviction-prevention triage. Free for income-eligible households.
617-859-0400 · 1411 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Housing Families Inc. at 31 Wells Road in Malden runs emergency family shelter, transitional housing, and the After School and Summer Programs for children in shelter, serving mothers and children across the North Shore. Call 781-322-5505 weekdays 9am-5pm; most placements come via the EOHLC EA family shelter intake.
781-322-5505 · 31 Wells Rd, Malden, MA 02148 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
MAHA at 1803 Dorchester Avenue runs the SoftSecond first-time homebuyer program, financial literacy workshops, and statewide advocacy for affordable housing. Particularly valuable for Boston-area mothers building toward homeownership on a modest income. Call 617-822-9100 weekdays 9am-5pm to register for a workshop.
617-822-9100 · 1803 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02124 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
RAFT is Massachusetts's flagship homelessness prevention program providing up to $7,000 over 12 months for rent, utilities, mortgage, and moving costs to households at risk of eviction. Administered through regional housing agencies (Way Finders, Metro Housing Boston, NeighborWorks, and others). Call 800-224-5124 weekdays 8:45am-5pm or apply online via Mass.gov. Free for income-eligible households under 50 percent AMI.
800-224-5124 · Statewide Program · Mon-Fri 8:45am-5pm · Visit Website
Springfield Housing Authority at 60 Congress Street administers federal public housing and Housing Choice (Section 8) vouchers for Springfield residents. Wait lists open periodically and are often years long; SHA also runs the Family Self-Sufficiency program for voucher holders working toward homeownership. Call 413-785-4500 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm. Free for income-eligible households.
413-785-4500 · 60 Congress St, Springfield, MA 01104 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website
Rosie's Place at 889 Harrison Avenue in Boston's South End was the country's first emergency shelter for women, founded in 1974. The campus offers meals, overnight shelter, advocacy, ESOL, and the Women's Education Center — no intake paperwork required for meals or day services. Call 617-442-9322; the shelter operates 24/7 and walk-ins are welcome for meals.
617-442-9322 · 889 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118 · Open 24/7 · Visit Website
HUD's Boston Regional Office at 10 Causeway Street oversees federal housing programs in Massachusetts and the other New England states. The site's locator points Massachusetts mothers to nearby Public Housing Authorities, Section 8 administering agencies, and HUD-approved housing counseling agencies. Free public site, no account needed.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
HUD's Continuum of Care directory identifies the lead agencies coordinating homeless services across Massachusetts — including the Boston CoC (run by the Mayor's Office), the Worcester CoC, the Springfield/Hampden County CoC, and several others. Useful for Massachusetts mothers entering shelter or seeking rapid rehousing.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Massachusetts administers the federal LIHEAP program through DHCD and 20 regional Community Action Agencies, providing heating bill assistance (typically $850-
,750 per winter) and emergency furnace repair. Apply through your local CAA (Action for Boston Community Development, ABCD; Worcester Community Action; Springfield's Valley Opportunity Council; and others). Free for income-eligible households.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division at 25 Shawmut Road in Canton operates emergency shelter, rent and utility assistance, food pantries, and Christmas Castle holiday assistance across Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, Lawrence, and dozens of other Massachusetts communities. Use the national locator to find the nearest corps office. Free for those in need.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston, Catholic Charities Worcester, and Catholic Charities Springfield operate emergency shelter, rent assistance, food pantries, immigration legal services, and adoption services across most of Massachusetts. Use the national directory to find the closest diocesan office. Services are open to all regardless of faith.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
United Way of Massachusetts Bay (Boston-area), the United Way of Central Massachusetts, the United Way of Pioneer Valley (Springfield), and several other regional United Ways run Mass 2-1-1 — Massachusetts's 24/7 health and human services helpline. Dial 2-1-1 from any Massachusetts phone for free housing, food, and crisis referrals.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Habitat for Humanity has 12 Massachusetts affiliates including Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston, MetroWest/Greater Worcester, Pioneer Valley (Springfield/Holyoke), and Cape Cod. Affiliates build affordable homes and select partner families through a sweat-equity model. Visit habitat.org to find the Massachusetts affiliate covering your town.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Family Promise affiliates in Metrowest, North Shore, and other Massachusetts regions provide congregational-based emergency shelter and rapid rehousing for homeless families with children. Particularly useful for two-parent and larger families who don't fit traditional women-and-children shelter models. Free for families in program.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Frequently Asked
- How many housing & financial resources are in Massachusetts?
- Women's Corner tracks 17 housing & financial resources for women in Massachusetts.
- Are housing & financial resources in Massachusetts free?
- 17 of the 17 listed housing & financial resources in Massachusetts are explicitly free or low-cost.
- Which cities in Massachusetts have housing & financial resources?
- Listings span cities including Boston, Springfield, Malden, Dorchester.
- What are some examples of housing & financial resources in Massachusetts?
- Featured entries include Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, Way Finders, Metro Housing Boston, Housing Families Inc..
- Do these listings include phone numbers?
- 9 of 17 Massachusetts housing & financial listings include phone numbers.
- How long is the Section 8 waitlist?
- It varies wildly — a few months in smaller markets, 5+ years in cities like LA, NYC, and DC. Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your region. PHAs give preference to families with children, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and homeless applicants — make sure you check every preference box you qualify for.
- What does 211 do?
- 211 is a free, 24/7 nationwide referral line run by United Way. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local rent assistance, utility help, food, childcare, transportation, and emergency funds. They know the small local funds Google won't show you. Always start here in a financial emergency.
- Can I get TANF as a single mother?
- Yes — TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is the main cash assistance program for low-income parents with minor children. Apply through your state's Department of Human/Social Services. Benefits, time limits, and work requirements vary by state. You can receive TANF and SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and childcare assistance simultaneously.
- What if I'm being evicted?
- Call 211 and your local legal aid office the same day you're served — most states have Emergency Rental Assistance programs through the LIHEAP/ERA pipeline that can pay back rent. You have the right to a court hearing before eviction — don't move out before the hearing. DV survivors have additional protections under VAWA that block eviction based on the abuse.