Homeless and Eviction-Prevention Services

The Housing Services Center (HSC) is a collaboration of case managers who help members of the Cambridge community who are low-income, experiencing housing instability, or experiencing homelessness.

Our services include:

Eviction Prevention, including the Rental Assistance Program
Tenants’ Rights education, resources, and advocacy
Homeless Services, including the Coordinated Access Network (C‑CAN)
Housing Search assistance
Intensive Housing Case Management

Housing Services Center staff serve as a resource for residents with housing and housing related needs, concerns, and questions. Case Managers at the Center support individuals and families who are at-risk of losing their housing by offering advocacy, financial assistance and case management services to prevent displacement and evictions. Program staff provide valuable information and guidance to residents about tenant rights, emergency support for unhoused individuals, and housing search workshops and individualized housing search assistance.

The Center also partners with organizations that provide legal services, financial literacy, mental health support and job search assistance to residents. The Housing Services Division implements the Cambridge Coordinated Access Network (C-CAN) which connects homeless individuals with housing navigators and permanent supportive housing opportunities.

Multilingual Information

Services and Programs

HSC Case Managers

Case managers work with individuals and families who need help with their housing. This includes people experiencing homelessness, people at risk of becoming homeless, and people with housing concerns or facing eviction. We make referrals to shelters, food pantries, job training programs, financial assistance programs, and more.

Do you need help with housing-related costs, including move-in or eviction prevention fees? Contact Stephanie Gray at 617-349-6047 or email sgray@cambridgema.gov.

Homeless Case Manager

We work with individuals experiencing homelessness. We connect people to resources such as government benefits (SNAP, health insurance, etc), shelter placement, basic housing search, and document readiness (IDs, birth certificates, etc.).

Contact: Jose Gonzalez at 857-235-6356 or jgonzalez@cambridgema.gov.

Housing Search Help

Cambridge residents who are facing complex housing situations learn how to search for housing and access information. Topics include: tenant rights, using a Section 8 voucher, conflict resolution, financial literacy and more.

Come to a housing search workshop!

Tuesdays, 2:30 - 5 p.m. at the MSC (362 Green St., 1st Floor). No registration required

Contact: Ryan McCluskey at 617-349-6338 or rmccluskey@cambridgema.gov.

Cambridge Coordinated Access Network (C-CAN)

If you are experiencing homelessness, our C-CAN Specialist can help you get an assessment that will put you in a queue for permanent housing opportunities. We can also connect you to Housing Navigation and other services.

If you would like a C-CAN assessment, come to the HSC during our C-CAN walk-in hours or call 617-349-7715.

C-Can Walk-In Hours

Monday - Friday, anytime.

The Carey Program

The Carey Program is a permanent supportive housing program. In partnership with Caritas Communities, this program offers 22 rooms for homeless men and case management. To be eligible, you must get a C-CAN assessment.

Questions? Contact Cynthia Voto-Vivian at cvivian@cambridgema.gov.

Our Partners at the Housing Services Center

Eliot Community Human Services (CHS)

Eliot CHS provides access to a clinical social worker who works closely with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. HSC staff can refer you to this service.

Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services (CASLS)

CASLS provides free legal advice for low-income families and individuals in Cambridge. HSC staff can refer you to get an appointment to discuss issues related to affordable housing, emergency assistance, and public benefit programs.

DeNovo

De Novo offers legal assistance to low-income tenants. Our services include advice and representation in eviction proceedings, help with illegal lockouts, access to public housing, subsidized housing for terminations or denials, and enforcement of tenants’ rights. HSC staff can refer you to this service.

All In Energy - Cambridge Energy Helpline

The Cambridge Energy Helpline team can help you better understand your energy bill, cancel overly expensive energy contracts, connect to cost-saving programs and prevent utility service shut-offs. The Helpline team has walk-in hours at the Housing Services Center on the first Wednesday of each month from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

Useful Documents & Resources