Homeless and Eviction-Prevention Services

MSC Case Managers

Case Managers work with people experiencing homelessness, those at risk of becoming homeless, and Cambridge individuals or families in need of short-term financial assistance or guidance around housing concerns.  We make referrals to a variety of services including shelters, food pantries, job training programs, financial assistance programs, public benefits, and legal services. 

Housing Case Manager

MSC's Housing Search Case Manager provides housing search assistance for Cambridge residents who are facing complex housing situations, such as building sales, non-renewal of leases, and those who are living doubled up in Cambridge. The Housing Search Case Manager hosts workshops that include applying for subsidized housing, housing search tips, overcoming common housing barriers, and much more. 

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

Housing Search Workshop
Wednesdays, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Multi-Service Center 
362 Green St., 1st Floor

All are welcome to attend this group conversation on navigating the housing search process. Topics include: tenant rights, leasing a unit with a section 8 voucher, conflict resolution and financial literacy. Specific workshop topics vary based on attendees’ interests and may include guest speakers.  

ESG Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) Housing Advocate

The ESG RRH Housing Advocate serves HUD homeless individuals staying in Cambridge shelters or on the streets. This advocate provides housing search assistance to individuals who have a viable income to sustain housing on their own or have been issued a voucher from a Leased Housing Agency. 

To determine eligibility and receive a copy of the ESG RRH Housing referral form, please email Amina Banton at banton@homestart.org or Beth Anderson at banderson@cambridgema.gov. 

MSC’s C-CAN specialist holds regular walk-in hours for people currently experiencing homelessness in and around Cambridge.

After receiving a C-CAN assessment, individuals will be added to the referral pool of any participating housing program that matches their type of need and reported eligibility. Clients may also be connected to HomeStart Housing Navigation or other direct services depending on eligibility, type of need, and system capacity.  

Clients seeking a C-CAN assessment should attend C-CAN walk-in hours on Mondays between 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.  If you are unable to attend those hours, call 617-349-7715 and leave a message. 

Located at the Cambridge YMCA (820 Massachusetts Ave.), the Carey Program is a permanent supportive housing program in partnership with Caritas Communities. The program includes case management and housing for 22 homeless men. C-CAN provides the screening process for eligibility and enrollment in the Carey Program.  

Contact: Cynthia Voto-Vivian at 617-349-6349 or cvivian@cambridgema.gov.

Cambridge Haitian Services addresses the social service needs of the Haitian population living in Cambridge, with an emphasis on Haitians serving Haitians. This program offers case management, information and referral, and Haitian Creole interpretation, as well as limited immigration and citizenship assistance.  

Contact: Jean Jeune at 617-349-6351 or jjeune@cambridgema.gov.

Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services (CASLS)

CASLS provides free legal consultations to low-income Cambridge families and individual at the MSC by appointment. These appointments can be used to discuss legal issues around affordable housing, emergency assistance, and federal and state public benefit programs.  Clients must be referred for an appointment by an MSC Case Manager.  To be screened for a referral, attend a walk-in consultation with an MSC Case Manager during MSC walk-in hours or call the front desk at 617-349-6340.  

DeNovo

De Novo offers legal assistance to low-income tenants. Services include advice and representation in eviction proceedings, illegal lockouts, access to public housing, subsidized housing terminations or denials, and enforcement of tenants’ rights.

Eliot Community Human Services (CHS)

The Eliot CHS mental health shelter specialists are clinical social workers who work closely with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH).  Individuals experiencing HUD homelessness seeking connections to mental health services can ask the MSC front desk to be connected to an Eliot worker. 

Just-A-Start (JAS) Financial Opportunity Program