underneath The Wise Turtle ([info]turil) wrote in [info]davis_square,
@ 2008-04-23 10:59:00
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Entry tags:public services

Homeless shelters?
Hey, I'm going to be homeless in a bit more than a week, and I'm wondering if there is a shelter in the area that might actually be not too depressing to stay in. Anyone have any experience with them? I know nothing about them, other than having been given a list of ones in the Boston area by the psych emergency department at the Cambridge Health Alliance hospital a while back.

Any recommendations or advice on the shelter system would be greatly appreciated! :-)


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[info]anomie666
2008-04-23 03:05 pm UTC (link)
Are you working? Do you have any income at all? I actually know 2 people who live in the Somerville YMCA. I'm not exactly sure how much it is, but you pay by the week. Its on Highland Ave near the high school.

I couldn't find the how much it cost on their webpage, but its worth giving them a call.

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[info]magickcat
2008-04-23 03:28 pm UTC (link)
Looking at her profile, the YMCA wouldn't work for her but I do believe that the YWCA also has residential programs if there is any sort of income at all.
I am sorry I can't be of more assistance with the shelter naming thing, but when I was homeless I couldn't really find one because they wouldn't accept me with my health issue (diabetes).
I can advise that you steer clear of the one that is across from Boston Medical Center at all costs.
Good luck!

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[info]turil
2008-04-23 03:46 pm UTC (link)
Thanks for the info.

I don't have any income (though I'm trying to get on transitional assistance for disability, but that's going to take some time).

There's a small chance I might still find a roommate situation, which my husband (who left me) has agreed to pay for a couple of months, but the market is pretty bad right now, and most places have tons of people competing for one room. So my chances are slim.

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[info]magickcat
2008-04-23 03:51 pm UTC (link)
Ugh, yeah... it took me forever to get on disability, so I know what you mean.
So sorry about your situation. It took me a LONG time to find the place I'm in right now after WAY too long in a very unhealthy apartment, so I have also witnessed how bad the market is.
Now, it isn't a quick fix, as a lot of waiting lists are closed and whatnot, but try applying for section 8/other subsidized type things at as many housing authorities as you can...if you are approved at one, you can take it anywhere (for sec. 8) so it isn't like if you got (for example) a voucher IN Weymouth that you would have to live there- you could go to Somerville, or...Maine...it's just a long process to actually get it as homelessness isn't a priority... but disability is, so give it a shot.
Also, there is (or used to be) a place called HomeStart in Cambridge in Central Square in the Taxman building... they help people get back on their feet and I think they have walk-in hours on Thursdays, so you might want to look into that too.

Edited at 2008-04-23 03:53 pm UTC

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[info]icecreamempress
2008-04-23 07:18 pm UTC (link)
If your husband and/or other family members are willing to pay something, I would really encourage you to try the Boston YWCA for the short term. They have rooms that include breakfast for something like $200/week for women who are eligible. You can call them at 617-585-5400.

Also, have you thought about doing a sleep study or other residential medical study? It's one way to find accommodation and earn some money while you're waiting for disability to come through.

The Brigham and Women's Hospital Sleep Study Center number is 1-888-545-3753; if they don't have anything, they may have leads on other places looking for volunteers.

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[info]turil
2008-04-23 07:33 pm UTC (link)
Ouch! $200 a week! For $825 a month I could pretty much get my own apartment.

And no sleep studies for me. I'm not mentally healthy enough to do them, even if they served good quality food that I could eat (which I'm pretty sure they don't, since when I applied a couple of decades ago they said they didn't). And if I earned any money it would invalidate my disability application, I believe. (Yes, it''s stupid, people should be able to work when they can, and have the disability as back up when they can't, rather than being allowed one or the other.)

Thanks for the info about the YWCA. At least I know not to bother trying there.

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[info]icecreamempress
2008-04-23 09:12 pm UTC (link)
For $825 a month I could pretty much get my own apartment.

Not a furnished apartment including utilities, two meals a day, and linen service.

I was thinking that it might be a useful temporary stopgap until you found a shared space. Homeless shelters, in my opinion, should be an absolute last resort for someone who's experiencing mental illness issues.

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[info]ron_newman
2008-04-23 03:39 pm UTC (link)
Somerville Homeless Coalition

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[info]turil
2008-04-23 03:43 pm UTC (link)
Do you know what their facility is like. I've already emailed them, and I'm waiting to hear what they say. (Unfortunately, they only have something like 20 beds, and I'm imagining that they are probably completely full, but I guess I'll find out if they get back to me.)

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[info]ron_newman
2008-04-23 03:44 pm UTC (link)
Sorry, I don't, other than that it is in the Methodist Church on College Ave.

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[info]yagagriswold
2008-04-23 04:47 pm UTC (link)
Starting some time in the summer, the Phillips Brooks house runs a temporary shelter at St James Episcopal Church in Porter Square. The down side is that it's temporary--only ten weeks or so. The up side is that its small, the staff are a bunch of really upbeat college kids, and they seem to do a pretty good job of vetting their residents such that I suspect its much safer than many other shelters.

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Harvard Square
[info]ssachs
2008-04-24 01:36 am UTC (link)
St. James doesn't start, usually, until late June. But the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter, also run by Phillips Brooks, should be open for, I think, another few weeks. It's the one in the basement of the Lutheran church on Winthrop St. Last time I volunteered there (and now we're talking 6-7 years ago) it was in very good repair, brightly lit and with a nice paint job, etc. From what little knowledge I have of homeless shelters, I'd say it's quite non-depressing compared to the rest of them. They also had (and might still have?) a program that gives you a steady bed for like 2 weeks or so.

There's also Shelter, Inc., which I've never been to but is legendary for being a really good shelter. Probably has long wait lists, though.

Good luck! I hope something comes through.

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Re: Harvard Square
[info]birdiefan1
2008-04-24 01:49 am UTC (link)
I got a chance to see the shelter run by students in the Lutheran church and the staff there seem really upbeat. I believe that you can get a bed there for two weeks but then you need to leave for a set amount of time.

I volunteer at CASPAR, which is over near MIT, but it is rather depressing (a lot of regulars) and it's only for people with substance use issues so I don't think it's what you are looking for.

Good luck!

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Re: Harvard Square
[info]yagagriswold
2008-04-24 04:06 am UTC (link)
Hey! You used to run the one at St James', didn't you? (I used to run the food pantry there.) Hi!

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Re: Harvard Square
[info]ssachs
2008-04-28 08:36 pm UTC (link)
hey! what do you know. yeah, that was me. i was just thinking about the place yesterday. haven't been there in ages. are you still doing the food pantry?

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[info]zander05
2008-04-23 04:52 pm UTC (link)
Through the Somerville Homeless Coalition (1 Davis Square), there's a shelter on College Ave and one in Harvard Square. You'll need to set up an intake, as it's not a walk-in situation.

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[info]sea_aye_vee
2008-04-23 05:03 pm UTC (link)
If you can handle being out of somerville, I have a list of shelters in Dorchester. I know that this is hard for you but some of them are better than being on the street. You can email me (no spaces)

Hope you find something soon.


Edited at 2008-12-17 01:25 am UTC

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[info]icecreamempress
2008-04-23 07:27 pm UTC (link)
Another option to think about, if it feels possible to you in terms of your energy and psyche/spirit, is finding a place as a live-in companion for an older person or someone with a disability--especially someone who has trained helpers during the day, but who needs someone to stay with them overnight in case of emergency.

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[info]turil
2008-04-23 07:36 pm UTC (link)
Yeah, I'm definitely not mentally up for that sort of thing. Even when I'm completely stable and healthy, it's just not something I'm good at. (I'm not a people person :-)

Not that a homeless shelter is going to be much better.

I'd really just like to stay with family, or have a small bit of space to pitch a tent nearby a public bathroom...

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[info]modstgodds
2008-04-23 07:59 pm UTC (link)
St Francis House has breakfast and lunch for free and provides help with services. They are a day shelter. They have medical help, counseling, help with housing applications and help with disability. I interned there and the staff are great. The clientele can be rough but just make a b-line for the help desk in the day center and ask for assistance.

I am so sorry to hear you are in this position and I hope you find what you need quickly.

http://www.stfrancishouse.org/

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[info]icecreamempress
2008-04-23 09:18 pm UTC (link)
If you and your husband are splitting up, wouldn't it be appropriate to divide and liquidate whatever financial resources you as a couple have at this time so that you wouldn't be homeless? For instance, if either or both of you have any 401(k) or other retirement savings, you each have a legal claim to some portion of the other's.

I know it must be stressful to have no income and no place to stay. However, I think you're underestimating how incredibly stressful being in the homeless shelter system can be. If you have any other options, I strongly encourage you to explore them.

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[info]turil
2008-04-23 09:29 pm UTC (link)
If I had other options, believe me I'd take them! Trust me, I really would. And there's still a small chance I might be able to find a roommate situation by next week (which someone will at least pay for for a couple of months, and then maybe my disability will come through.) But the housing search is really competitive these days. A shelter really is one of the last places I want to end up, and I hope I don't have to. But I do need to know what my options are, which is why I'm asking here.

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CAAS
[info]callslightning
2008-04-23 09:34 pm UTC (link)
I would also recommend that you give a call to CAAS, the Community Action Agency of Somerville.

CAAS is Somerville's designated anti-poverty agency. They are a good place to find out about services that may be available to you. I know they have listings of shelters but also of other resources.

I know some of the people that work there they are great.

Phone is 617-623-7370. Good luck with your situation.

And this is an example of why people should support the Save Our Homes walk.

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[info]yagagriswold
2008-04-24 04:10 am UTC (link)
Also, On The Rise is a good resource for figuring this stuff out. They're especially skilled at dealing with multiple issues at once.

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[info]koloratur
2008-04-24 01:46 pm UTC (link)
This might be a long shot, but if you are able, you should check with some of the local colleges and see if they have listings with apartments available. A lot of students head out right after classes let out, and sublet on the cheap.

It's possible that you might have to deal with a roommate, or something, but I would think that just keeping to yourself in your bedroom would be infinitely superior to a homeless shelter.

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[info]lfriedl
2008-04-24 02:22 pm UTC (link)
Yeah -- not sure if this would help you, but I'm in Amherst, MA, which is all but vacant of its students over the summer. There are plenty of shared housing situations here for under $400 / month (during the summer, anyway); see http://www.umoch.org/.

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Cambridge Women's Center
[info]dawneliz
2008-04-24 03:05 pm UTC (link)
...has a lot of resources at the ready, including computer and internet access, library, kitchen with some staples, rooms to just hang in, lists and lists of local organizations.

They are located on Pleasant St, about 10 minutes walking outside of Central Sq. Their hours are, I believe, 10am-8pm.

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Re: Cambridge Women's Center
[info]electricube
2008-04-24 05:39 pm UTC (link)
The people who work there are really rude and full of themselves. I attended my friend's group there a few years ago and I just could not believe how snotty the staff were.

I also saw one of the staff members verbally abuse a visitor: the visitor (a rather slight woman) asked the staff member for help with the computer. The staff member came over and saw that the visitor had accidentally messed something up on the computer, and the staff member (this enormous, intimidating woman) started yelling right in her face. The visitor walked out the door, and I grabbed my bag and left too. I never went back.

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[info]tt02144
2008-04-24 04:15 pm UTC (link)
I'm so sorry for your situation. It would seem that there would be some sort of emergency assistance for someone with health issues, especially, while you await disability. But....the above suggestions are all very good. I would add that there is a shelter in Somerville on Cross Street, I believe it's in the Grace Episcopal Church. You could also try the Salvation Army Shelter in Cambridge. Also, how about any of the group homes for people with disabilities. Try contacting the Walnut Street Center in Somerville which runs a number of group homes in the area. Perhaps the Somerville Mental Health Coalition could be of assistance. Try calling City Hall, either Social Services, or the mayor's office, for assistance.
Wishing you the best of luck, and God Bless.

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[info]left_unsaid
2008-04-25 12:23 am UTC (link)
this is the tufts off-campus housing list, there are sections for rooms for rent, rooms wanted, summer sublets, etc. a lot of local landlords post their listings here:


http://ase.tufts.edu/och/Listing_form.htm

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