1. Question

- How can you get into a family homeless shelter?

Answer

- First, you must visit the local Department of Transitional Assistance office. If you are found to be eligible, you are then put in touch with the Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD).


2. Question

- Can single people get into the family centers?

Answer

- No. The DHCD only admits families with children and pregnant women.


3. Question

- So where do single people go for shelter?

Answer

- Individuals and couples without children can access the individual shelter system, which offers beds on a "first come, first served basis." There are 54 such shelters in the state, according to the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless.


4. Question

- Do people have to share a bedroom at the family centers?

Answer

- No, each family has its own bedroom.


5. Question

- How long can families remain at a family center?

Answer

- Unless they are terminated for non-compliance, a family can stay as long as necessary as they work towards obtaining safe, affordable housing.


6. Question

- Do people get help finding permanent housing while they are living at the family center?

Answer

- Yes, families work with our housing specialists to obtain permanent housing.


7. Question

- is required of families once they are living in the family center?

Answer

- The state requires residents to do what"s needed to get "rapidly rehoused." Each family has a rapid re-housing plan that is jointly overseen by the shelter case manager and housing specialist from our subcontractor, Catholic Social Services. Moreover, residents must actively conduct housing searches, budget their money, and save for their move to permanent housing. If old bills/credit issues are barriers to housing, then residents work on payment plans etc. to resolve them. If there is an open case in court, it must be resolved, thereby eliminating that housing barrier.

Residents are expected to abide by acceptable rules of communal living: there is a curfew, the kids are in bed by a reasonable hour, and residents are assigned a few chores, in addition to maintaining their own living spaces. They are expected to do what"s necessary to maximize their income (and therefore increase their chances of obtaining housing) whether that means working, obtaining social security, receiving unemployment benefits, getting child support etc. Residents are also responsible for their children's care.


8. Question

- Where are families placed?

Answer

- The Dept. of Transitional Assistance tries to place families as close as possible to their "home" communities, but due to availability, that is not always possible.


9. Question

- Approximately how many homeless shelters are there in Massachusetts?

Answer

- Currently, there are 67, according to the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless.


10. Question

- Do residents share a kitchen?

Answer

- Yes, the kitchen facilities are shared, but families are allotted storage for their own food.


11. Question

- Do children still attend school during the school year?

Answer

- Yes, our goal is to have them enrolled in the local school system within 2-3 days.


12. Question

- How does one apply for the Family Preservation Program?

Answer

- Please call us at 508-991-7487 for an application.