Housing Services

Centerboard has been providing family shelter for over 30 years and has grown to be the largest housing provider in Massachusetts.  Through a partnership with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), we currently provide over 800 units of housing, and support many families who have successfully transitioned to permanent housing. Our rapid rehousing, trauma-informed, intensive case management services focus on quickly removing obstacles to permanent housing.

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Centerboard is a referral only organization, which means families are referred to us through the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), the state agency that manages the Emergency Assistance shelter program. In order to receive emergency assistance from EOHLC, you must qualify to be eligible.   To apply for shelter services, please call the Department of Transitional Assistance at (877) 382-2363 and speak with a Homeless Coordinator.   Or apply in person (8:15AM - 4:45PM) in one of ten locations in Massachusetts, which can be found here.

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Person-Centered Philosophy

Traditional case management models no longer suffice. Families need comprehensive, trauma-informed, and person-centered care. These families often arrive at Centerboard after exhausting all other options, and many require more intensive support to achieve stability. Training staff to deliver this level of care has been essential. 

Our goal is to support each family in eliminating barriers and build independence while attaining the skills needed to lead them towards success as they transition out of shelter and into permanent housing. 

When Families are in Our Care…

The Housing Department utilizes the Social Determinants of Health framework to provide individualized support for each family receiving services.

Upon program entry, staff access immediate basic needs such as medical insurance/care and food security. Alongside the family, staff create monthly plans with short and long term goals tailored to the individual's barriers and strengths.

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Social Determinants of Health

The conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. We use this framework to evaluated the needs and conditions of each family upon arrival.

Moving forward, we use our finding to create comprehensive personalized re-housing plans built to address every need possible to ensure long lasting stability.

A chart displaying various factors related to health and well-being, including categories like Health Care & Quality, Neighborhood and Built Environment, Social and Community Context, Economic Stability, and Education Access and Quality, each with specific items listed underneath.
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When Families Move On…

Centerboard offers Stabilization Services to each and every family we serve. Case managers continue to follow families for up to two years post leaving our programs to ensure lasting success. We understand that our work doesn’t end once families have a set of keys of their own. Many families need continued support in order to transition successfully and provide stability that will last a lifetime.