Boston Assistance Programs
Find information on agencies and assistance programs for Boston below. In addition, a more extensive list of Suffolk County and additional resources for Boston can be found. Click here to learn more on financial assistance in Suffolk County MA.
The neighboring, outlying areas are supported as well. Find additional ways to get help with bills in Boston and Middlesex County, including additional details on community action organizations.
Mainstream Housing Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities
This program provides rental assistance vouchers to enable individuals with disabilities to access affordable private housing of their choice in Boston. It can help low income people with a mental or physical disability. Applications are run by the PHA. Call (617) 988-4000
Boston Designated Housing Program
Provides rental help and rental assistance vouchers to non-elderly disabled individuals. This means a Boston family, that has a disabled member and that needs housing, may be able to get help. This agency can also be contacted at (617) 988-4000.
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
This is a federal government HUD program that was created for assisting the elderly, very low income families, and to help the disabled in Boston to afford safe, decent, and sanitary housing. It will help pay for a portion of rent, based on income, in the private market.
Participants in this program are free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the Section 8 program, including townhomes, apartments, condos, and free standing homes. The program is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects. The Boston Housing Authority administers it. Call 617) 988-4000, or find additional ways to get help with rent.
Action for Boston Community Development, Inc.
This organization, which is also known as ABCD, has a goal of providing Boston residents with long-term self-sufficiency. However they realize that sometimes things happen and people need short term help with bills, rent, and more. Therefore ABCD also offers a number of assistance programs that will help families and individuals through these times of crisis, including offering fuel assistance in winter. There may also be short term help with paying monthly rent, eviction prevention services, and access to food pantries.
In regards to rental assistance, the staff works with people to prevent them from being evicted, from falling into homelessness and it will even help families move into a home they can afford over the long term. The Action for Boston Community Development organization ABCD also helps families and individuals who are behind in their utility bills, monthly rent, or facing eviction. ABCD will try to help lower income residents find affordable housing in Boston MA as well.
They provide thousands of local residents with help paying their heating and utility bills, including from LIHEAP. The community action agency will provide them direct cash grants and financial help. They also offer other programs that help people with their energy bills, and these are primarily free energy conservation programs such as weatherization. This is also for elderly or disabled residents.
They have a weatherization program that can help people save 25-35% on their year round utility bills, including winter heating costs. They offer a program that will repair or replace heating systems if they are inoperable or inefficient.
The ABCD community action agency (phone number below) receives a high volume of demand from Boston residents for low income heating and free energy assistance programs. Weatherization is often in high demand as well, though there is a waiting list. Call them to learn about services they can provide, or read Massachusetts heating bill assistance programs.
Just a few of the other programs offered are health care programs, free and discounted food at several food pantries, career development or job training, and also early child care. They are located at 178 Tremont Street in Boston, and the phone number is (617) 357-6000.
Foreclosure Help and Assistance Programs
Residents may be able to get free foreclosure help from Ensuring Stability through Action in our Community (dial 617.524.2555). This agency offers several housing programs, including counselors who are dedicated to safeguarding homeownership. There are also professionals who focus on the foreclosure of homes in Boston by fighting unscrupulous banks, mortgage lenders and brokers.
Also, they have programs for home repairs, such as helping seniors, the disabled in Boston and low income families with house repairs so they can stay in their homes. Counselors can also refer people to other Massachusetts mortgage assistance programs.
City of Boston Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program
The Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (phone number (617) 859-0400) offers various homeless prevention and rehousing programs. Grants can help renters, homeowners, and the currently homeless in the city. The is part of the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program, which is aimed at helping people pay their rent, utility bills, and even partial mortgage payments The primary goal is to ensure people are able to stay in their homes or rental unit.
The Housing Partnership and a partner agency, Heading Home (186 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02115, dial (617) 864-8140, is involved in homeless prevention as well. The program is wide ranging and extensive.
That is just one example of a Boston low income housing program. Click here to get information on other low income housing and emergency rental programs in Boston.
Crisis Assistance
One place to turn to for a host of services is Catholic Charities of Boston ((617) 482-5440). They have over 15 parishes and offices around the city. They provide what is called Basic Needs, which is really a form of emergency assistance.
Catholic Charities is able to provide a wide range of support and services to people who need help. they support single mothers in Boston, the elderly, immigrants and others. Programs include free food pantries, rent and mortgage assistance, as well as funds for paying utility and heating costs. There is also free furniture, clothing and other necessities, such as baby supplies.
Te organization can even offer seasonal and holiday assistance for individuals and families who cannot afford a warm meal at Thanksgiving or gifts for their children at Christmas. Immigrants and refugees to the Boston area can also access ESL classes, GED programs or legal aid around green cards or citizenship. Read more on Catholic Charities in Boston.
The Salvation Army also administers several services. Contact this agency for help with rent, food assistance, and even money to prevent a utility or heating service disconnection. They also have low-cost thrift stores that sell gently used items in Boston. Call (617) 536-5260.
Free legal assistance in Boston
Thousands of local families can’t afford to get equal legal representation. That is where Greater Boston Legal Services may be able to help. This non-profit law firm provides low income, the elderly, unemployed, and many others access to free legal aid for civil cases. For example, you may be able to receive free legal assistance for a foreclosure, advice to prevention an eviction or utility disconnection, help with family disputes, and more. Call 617-371-1234 for legal help, or read more on Boston Massachusetts legal assistance.
Job finding assistance
An organization that helps people over 45 find a job is Operation A.B.L.E (Ability Based Upon Long Experience). The group provides job finding services and assistance, employment, career development and training opportunities to mature workers 45 and older. They focus their career services on people who are from economically, racially and occupationally diverse backgrounds. Many people will qualify for help. Call 617.542.4180.
The Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts (617.442.4519) also has job training programs that can help people find employment. They also help women and minorities start a business, offer free entrepreneurship workshops and other services. The non-profit will help clients improve skills they may already have.
Free health and dental care in Boston Massachusetts
There are several public health as well as free community clinics around the city and immediate area. A listing is below. While the exact type of services offered at each clinic will vary widely, in general they offer primary care, dental assistance, pediatrics, medical counseling, podiatry, and adult day services.
Details of the medical services include HIV testing, weight management, women's health care as well as immunizations. There is also free dental care, eye exams, general counseling services, pediatrics, podiatry/foot care, case/care management, and adolescent/youth counseling. Or find information on child care from Boston Head Start non-profits and agencies.
The free dental and community clinics include: North End Community Health Center (call (617) 643 - 8000) as well as Boston Health Care for the Homeless (phone (857) 654 - 1000). There is also the CHA East Cambridge Health Center, (dial (617) 665 - 3000), South End Community Health Center (phone (617) 425 - 2000), Harbor Family Health Center (phone (617) 269 - 0312).
Dozens of other clinics and health centers operate around the city. Find additional Boston medical clinics for the low-income and/our uninsured, and get information on the services they offer.
Learn about additional Suffolk County programs.
|
