Need Help? Boston Community Resources
Boston Community Resource Guide
This resource page is designed for Arborway Community Church to share with people who need assistance in Boston, especially Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, and surrounding neighborhoods.
Find Real Help
This guide covers food, housing, medical care, financial assistance, government benefits, Social Security, employment, and crisis support. For anyone unsure where to begin: Call 211 or visit Mass 211. This free referral service helps Massachusetts residents find local assistance. For immediate danger, call 911. For a mental health crisis, call or text 988.
Food and groceries
Greater Boston Food Bank
Find nearby food pantries, free meals, and help applying for SNAP (food stamps).
Address: 70 South Bay Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 (distribution headquarters, not a public walk-in pantry)
Phone: 617-427-5200
SNAP assistance: 617-598-5022
Website: Find food near you
ABCD Roxbury/North Dorchester Neighborhood Opportunity Center
Offers food pantry assistance and help connecting to other community services.
Address: 565 Warren Street, Roxbury, MA 02121
Phone: 617-442-5900
Website: bostonabcd.org
Project Bread: FoodSource Hotline
Helps people find free food and apply for nutrition benefits.
Phone: 1-800-645-8333
Website: projectbread.org
Location: Telephone assistance; no in-person visit needed.
Find nearby food pantries, free meals, and help applying for SNAP (food stamps).
Address: 70 South Bay Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 (distribution headquarters, not a public walk-in pantry)
Phone: 617-427-5200
SNAP assistance: 617-598-5022
Website: Find food near you
ABCD Roxbury/North Dorchester Neighborhood Opportunity Center
Offers food pantry assistance and help connecting to other community services.
Address: 565 Warren Street, Roxbury, MA 02121
Phone: 617-442-5900
Website: bostonabcd.org
Project Bread: FoodSource Hotline
Helps people find free food and apply for nutrition benefits.
Phone: 1-800-645-8333
Website: projectbread.org
Location: Telephone assistance; no in-person visit needed.
Financial help and government benefits
Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD)
Help with utility bills, fuel assistance, housing support, and other programs for eligible residents.
Address: 178 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-348-6000
Website: bostonabcd.org
Housing and rental assistance department: 617-348-6330.
Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance — Jackson Square
Apply for SNAP food benefits, certain cash assistance programs, and other public benefits.
Address: 1785 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA 02119
Phone: 617-238-0080; statewide assistance: 877-382-2363
Website: DTA Connect
Department of Transitional Assistance — Nubian Square
Another location for help with SNAP, cash assistance, EBT cards, and benefit applications.
Address: 2201 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA 02119
Phone: 617-989-6000
Website: Office information
Help with utility bills, fuel assistance, housing support, and other programs for eligible residents.
Address: 178 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-348-6000
Website: bostonabcd.org
Housing and rental assistance department: 617-348-6330.
Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance — Jackson Square
Apply for SNAP food benefits, certain cash assistance programs, and other public benefits.
Address: 1785 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA 02119
Phone: 617-238-0080; statewide assistance: 877-382-2363
Website: DTA Connect
Department of Transitional Assistance — Nubian Square
Another location for help with SNAP, cash assistance, EBT cards, and benefit applications.
Address: 2201 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA 02119
Phone: 617-989-6000
Website: Office information
Housing, rent, and homelessness
Metro Housing | Boston
Help with housing emergencies, rent assistance applications, homelessness prevention, and housing counseling.
Address: 1411 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120, United States
Phone: 617-859-0400
Website: metrohousingboston.org
Boston Housing Authority
Information about public housing, affordable housing applications, and housing vouchers.
Address: 52 Chauncy St, Boston, MA 02111, United States
Phone: 617-988-4000
Website: bostonhousing.org
Rosie's Place
Offers women facing poverty or homelessness meals, shelter assistance, food, advocacy, and other services.
Address: 889 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118
Phone: 617-442-9322; help line: 617-318-0237
Website: rosiesplace.org
Help with housing emergencies, rent assistance applications, homelessness prevention, and housing counseling.
Address: 1411 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120, United States
Phone: 617-859-0400
Website: metrohousingboston.org
Boston Housing Authority
Information about public housing, affordable housing applications, and housing vouchers.
Address: 52 Chauncy St, Boston, MA 02111, United States
Phone: 617-988-4000
Website: bostonhousing.org
Rosie's Place
Offers women facing poverty or homelessness meals, shelter assistance, food, advocacy, and other services.
Address: 889 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118
Phone: 617-442-9322; help line: 617-318-0237
Website: rosiesplace.org
Medical care and health insurance
The Dimock Center
Community health services, including primary care, behavioral health, and other programs.
Address: 45 Dimock Street, Roxbury, MA 02119 (health center)
Phone: 617-442-8800
Website: dimock.org
Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
Medical care for people experiencing homelessness, including help accessing health insurance.
Address: 780 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118
Phone: 857-654-1000; new patients: 857-654-1605
Website: bhchp.org
MassHealth
Massachusetts public health insurance for eligible residents.
Address: 529 Main Street, Charlestown, MA 02129 (Call or schedule an appointment before visiting)
Phone: 800-841-2900
Website: mass.gov/masshealth
Community health services, including primary care, behavioral health, and other programs.
Address: 45 Dimock Street, Roxbury, MA 02119 (health center)
Phone: 617-442-8800
Website: dimock.org
Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
Medical care for people experiencing homelessness, including help accessing health insurance.
Address: 780 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118
Phone: 857-654-1000; new patients: 857-654-1605
Website: bhchp.org
MassHealth
Massachusetts public health insurance for eligible residents.
Address: 529 Main Street, Charlestown, MA 02129 (Call or schedule an appointment before visiting)
Phone: 800-841-2900
Website: mass.gov/masshealth
Mental health and crisis support
Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line
Free, Confidential Help For Mental Health Concerns, Substance Use, And Urgent Psychiatric Needs. Can Connect People To Local Care.
Phone Or Text: 833-773-2445 (24 Hours A Day)
Website: Masshelpline.com
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Immediate Emotional Support For People In Crisis Or Thinking About Suicide.
Call Or Text: 988
Website: 988lifeline.org
Location: Nationwide Phone And Online Support.
Massachusetts Department Of Mental Health
Information And Support For People Living With Serious Mental Health Conditions.
Address: 25 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-626-8000; Information Line: 800-221-0053
Website: Department Of Mental Health
Free, Confidential Help For Mental Health Concerns, Substance Use, And Urgent Psychiatric Needs. Can Connect People To Local Care.
Phone Or Text: 833-773-2445 (24 Hours A Day)
Website: Masshelpline.com
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Immediate Emotional Support For People In Crisis Or Thinking About Suicide.
Call Or Text: 988
Website: 988lifeline.org
Location: Nationwide Phone And Online Support.
Massachusetts Department Of Mental Health
Information And Support For People Living With Serious Mental Health Conditions.
Address: 25 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-626-8000; Information Line: 800-221-0053
Website: Department Of Mental Health