Our Work to End Homelessness

We’re working to end homelessness in Boston. Learn about our progress, action plans and initiatives.

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We work with nonprofit and community partners to coordinate housing and services for homeless households in Boston. We apply for and distribute grants, collect and report data about homelessness in Boston, and set system-wide policies and goals.

Are you looking for help? If you are homeless or someone you know is homeless, follow the link below for help:

These organizations can help

If you’re at immediate risk of becoming homeless, call the Office of Housing Stability at 617-635-4200, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. For help outside these hours, please contact BOS:311. You can dial 3-1-1 or call 617-635-4500.

The City is launching a program to support landlords who rent to Boston households moving out of homelessness. We provide signing bonuses, holding fees, and a dedicated customer service provider.

Landlord Incentive Program

Mayor's Office of Housing
617-635-3880
HOUSING@BOSTON.GOV
12 CHANNEL STREET

9TH FLOOR

BOSTON, MA 02210

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.

Our progress

In 2015, the City released Boston’s Way Home: An Action Plan to End Veteran and Chronic Homelessness. Under this plan, we’ve made huge strides.

Highlights:

Chronic homelessness reduced by 19 percent
Veteran homelessness reduced by 32 percent
Boston’s Way Home Fund reached its goal of raising $10 million two years ahead of schedule
$4.7 million committed to creating 157 new housing opportunities for unaccompanied youth and young adults experiencing homelessness as part of our Rising to the Challenge plan
Transformed homeless services system into a coordinated network focused on helping the most vulnerable households across our City

By the numbers

Over 15,000 homeless people housed since 2014
On average, 2,115 single adults experience homelessness on a single night
Two percent of people experiencing homelessness on a single night are sleeping outside — the lowest rate of any major city
Over 1,000 chronically homeless individuals housed
More than 1,300 homeless veterans housed
$38.3 million in annual grants for housing and services to help the homeless

Annual Homeless Census

Each year, volunteers go through every neighborhood in Boston to count, survey, and offer shelter and services to people staying on the street.

past census reports

Our Action Plans

Action plans create momentum and bring people together to achieve collective goals.

Boston's Way Home

Our plan to end chronic and veteran homelessness and make all homelessness in Boston rare, brief, and non-repeating.

Rising to the Challenge

A community-wide plan to prevent and end homelessness and housing instability among youth and young adults.

Boston Continuum of Care

We lead the local planning body known as a Continuum of Care that’s designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to coordinate housing and services for homeless households in Boston.

For news, updates, and funding opportunities for nonprofits and government agencies, visit our Continuum of Care page:

Continuum of Care