On behalf of Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, I want to welcome you to the website of the City of Boston Emergency Shelter Commission!

The Emergency Shelter Commission is the city agency responsible for coordinating interagency strategic planning, public policy advocacy and constituent services for citizens at-risk of or experiencing homelessness and hunger in the City of Boston.

The Emergency Shelter Commission provides information and referral for constituents seeking emergency shelter, affordable housing opportunities, education, training and employment services, substance abuse treatment and mental health services from the wide array of community-based organizations that serve homeless and low-income households in our city. We are proud of the work of the Commission is doing to leverage resources and community support for efforts to prevent and end homelessness and hunger. This site is designed to help informed you about programs, initiatives and partnerships serving he homeless and hungry in our city.

We urge you to explore information available through this web site and those of our many community-based partner organizations. Some links to key advocacy organizations and service providers who can provide more detailed or specific information are included in our department's website. We will try to respond to questions and concerns in as much detail as possible. If you cannot locate the desired information, please address comments to EShelter@cityofboston.gov.

Thank you for you interest in our efforts to fight hunger and homelessness.