Public Benefits and Community Assistance

We assists low-income households from the City of Cambridge and Somerville with winter heating costs incurred.

Our City programs connect renters, homeowners and landlords to resources that help save money on their utility bills while also addressing climate change through renewable energy and efficiency.

The City of Cambridge can help address concerns and questions about housing resources, tenants, homeowners, landlords and property management companies, and court-related information.

Housed In Cambridge: Information to Open Doors is a citywide campaign designed to educate and inform residents on housing opportunities and housing-related resources and services.

The guide is organized around six key themes: affordable housing, emergency housing, housing rights, legal and mediation services, safe & healthy homes, and financial assistance.

Housed in Cambridge: Information to Open Doors webinar recordings.

Safehome: Up to 1 month stay in a confidential location for an individual or family.
Transitional Housing: Up to two years of rental assistance for up to 16 survivors and their families.

We provide planning services to improve Cambridge's living environment. We support residents, businesses, and institutions with urban design, zoning, and development.

We can help you get to know if 're paying too much for your electricity bill and find the best programs for you to help you save money.

We you make your home more energy-efficient and help to save you money on your utility costs if you qualify for our low-income programs.

We provide meals and materials to individuals who are low-income or extremely low-income, and who are experiencing homeless, are housing insecure, or living in persistent poverty.

We offer access to affordable rental and homeownership units for low, moderate, and middle-income households.

We preserve and maintain affordable apartments that are home to low and moderate income Cambridge residents. Property management and community coordinators help ensure that everyone feels at home.

We provide shelter, transitional & permanent housing + support services to extremely low-income homeless/formerly homeless adult individuals & families with children in Cambridge & Greater Boston.

This is a program that provides a drop-in center for homeless and street-involved youth, ages 14-24, in Harvard Square, Cambridge.

We provide homeless people with a safe, caring place to stay in the winter, plus counseling resources and transitional supports for anyone employed and saving money towards secure housing.

We run an overnight emergency shelter for young adults (ages 18-24) in Harvard Square, open between October 15th and April 15th.

Since 1987, First Church Shelter has provided a basic act of mercy to the poor and homeless of Cambridge and surrounding communities.