HOPE
is here.
You deserve a safe, stable place to live at every point on your journey.
Housing resources
Everyone deserves
a safe place to live.
Housing is a human right.
Whether you are using drugs or are in recovery, having a place to live in a supportive community is vital to a healthier life. It can be difficult to find a home that is both affordable and safe. If you need help with your housing, there are resources available, such as emergency shelter, help with paying for housing, and public housing.
You deserve a safe home, and we can help. Call 800.327.5050 or use our online chat to talk to a Helpline Specialist about housing resources and support that might be right for you.
If you are in recovery and need a place to live that does not have alcohol or drugs on site, consider alcohol and drug free housing, sometimes called recovery homes or sober homes. These homes provide people in recovery with a structured setting and community.
Emergency shelters are temporary places to stay while you find a permanent place to live. Shelters are available throughout Massachusetts and include shelters for people who are 18 and older and shelters specifically for teens and young adults (ages 24 and under). If you are pregnant or have a child or children under 21, you can check your eligibility for the EA Emergency Family Shelter program. Note that shelters do not allow alcohol and other drugs on site.
There are different programs that help people pay for housing, whether they rent or own their home.
- Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) provides short-term emergency funding that can cover overdue rent, utilities, moving costs, and mortgage costs.
- Housing vouchers like the federal Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program (HCVP), the Massachusetts Rental Vouchers Program (MRVP), and the Alternative Housing Vouchers Program (AHVP), pay part of your rent.
- Public Housing is housing owned by the government that rents for much less.
Finding an affordable place to live or applying for housing support can be overwhelming. There are resources available to help you navigate the housing system and to simplify the application process for financial support.
- Housing Consumer Education Centers (HCECs) can connect you with housing assistance services that you might be eligible for. HCECs serve regions across Massachusetts; find the HCEC closest to you.
- The Common Housing Application for Massachusetts Program (CHAMP) is an online application that allows you to apply for state-aided public housing and state-funded rental vouchers (MRVP, AHVP, State-Aided Public Housing). You can also find any applications for assistance that you might already have or update information on your application on the CHAMP website. CHAMP is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Khmer, Portuguese, Russian, and Vietnamese.