The Cambridge Multi-Service Center (MSC) is a collaboration of collocated programs sponsored by the City and other community agencies to address the needs of homeless and near-homeless families and individuals in the community through direct services, planning and coordination.
City programs include the following:

Human Services Case Managers assist homeless persons, those at risk of becoming homeless, or other Cambridge individuals or families in need of short-term counseling, assistance with housing concerns or referrals to a variety of services, including food pantries, job training and benefits programs.

The Transitional Housing Program offers case management and rooms for homeless men and women for a transitional period in partnership with the YMCA and the YWCA.

The Elderly/Disabled Housing Assistance specialist provides advice, counseling, assistance with applications and advocacy for Cambridge elders (55+) and disabled persons. Although geared toward homeless persons, assistance is available for others with applications for public and other subsidized housing.

The Housing Assistance Program provides housing search, stabilization services, eviction prevention, information and assistance for Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance-referred families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

The Shelter Inc. social worker at the MSC provides counseling, casework and referrals for current and former shelter guests. The administrative office of Shelter’s Midpoint Family Transitional Program is also located at the MSC.

The Tri-City Mental Health and Retardation Center mental health shelter specialist is a clinical social worker who works closely with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health and offers services to homeless persons from an office at the MSC.

HomeStart provides housing search and follow-up services to homeless individuals.

The Cambridge Student Partnership, affiliated with the National Student Partnership, provides job readiness and other general social services to Cambridge residents.

Other supportive services are offered at the MSC by staff from the CASCAP Representative Payee Program, North Charles Addiction Services and the Shelter Community Legal Assistance Services Project.

Also located at the MSC, the Cambridge Haitian Services Collaborative (617-349-6351) addresses the social services needs of the Haitian community in Cambridge, with an emphasis on Haitians serving Haitians. People using these services do not need to be homeless or at risk.

For information on classes in English as a Second Language, Creole literacy, math and computer skills, please contact the Haitian American Education and Development Association (HAEDA) (617-349-6257).