Housing, Health, Hunger & Help: Resources for Veterans
Information on shelters, food, medical and legal assistance for the homeless and housing insecure in the Greater Boston area.
The Veterans Crisis Hotline
The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text.
Phone: 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 to confidentially speak with a VA responder
TTY: 1-800-799-4889
Text: 838255
Chat online: Click here.
If you feel that you may harm yourself or someone else, and are in need of emergency services, please call 911, or proceed to the nearest emergency room.
Other Hotlines
- NVF Lifeline for VetsWhen you call, text, or chat online through the Lifeline for Vets, you speak to another veteran of America's armed forces.
Phone: 1-888-777-4443
Chat online: Click here. - National Suicide Prevention LifelineThe Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
Phone: 1-800-273-8255
Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio: 1-888-628-9454
Chat: Click here.
Guide Disclaimer
This Research Guide has been compiled by librarians and library staff at the Boston Public Library from community partners and online sources. Links are verified and fact-checked on a semi-annual basis, however, they may change at any time. Please contact the organizations you are interested in directly to verify that they are the right fit for you or your loved one.
Boston's Way Home
- Action Plan to End Veteran and Chronic Homelessness 2015-2018
On June 24, Mayor Walsh released the findings of the Mayor's Homelessness Task Force. The plan calls for a bold redesign of the way Boston cares for its homeless citizens, and will put a functional end to veterans and chronic homelessness in the City of Boston. - Boston's Way Home
Coordinated efforts across Boston to house homeless veterans. Since Mayor Walsh launched Boston's Way Home, the City's plan to reach this goal, Boston has ended chronic veteran homelessness To date, we have housed more than 850 homeless veterans.
Local Resources
Toll-free Traumatic Brain injury helpline exclusively for OEF/OIF veterans and families
888-VET-1TBI (888-838-1824)
SAVE (Statewide Advocacy for Veterans' Empowerment) Team
1-888-844-2838
- City of Boston Department of Veterans' ServicesVeterans' Services provides veterans and their families with assistance in times of need and connects them with services and benefits.
Phone:617-241-VETS (8387) or 617-635-3026
Email: veterans@boston.gov
Location: 43 Hawkins Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02114 - Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Veterans' ServicesVeterans' Services Officers (VSO) in every city and town in the Commonwealth help veterans learn about, apply for, and in some cases receive benefits.
Phone: 617-210-5480
Location: 600 Washington Street, 7th Floor, Boston, MA 02111 - Disabled American Veterans of MassachusettsThe Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is a nonprofit organization that works to procure benefits for disabled veterans and their families.
Phone: 617-727-2974
Location: State House, Room 546, Boston, MA 02133 - Homebase Veteran and Family CareA partnership of the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital, has been breaking new ground, leading regional and national efforts with a multi-disciplinary team of experts working together to help Service Members, Veterans and their Families heal from the Invisible Wounds: traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress (PTS), and related conditions.
- New England Center for Homeless VeteransNECHV provides services to any Veteran of the United States military regardless of branch, length of service, or other circumstance. The Center is available to serve any Veteran, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Services include free meals, housing assistance, training programs, healthcare, and more.
Phone: 617-371-1800
Location: 17 Court Street, Boston MA 02108 - VA Boston Healthcare SystemThe Department of Veteran Affairs provides healthcare services to eligible military veterans. In addition to its locations in Brockton, Jamaica Plain, and Worcester, the VA Boston Healthcare System offers services in community clinics listed here.
- Veterans Inc.Veterans Inc. offers case management (treatment plans, benefits counseling, transportation, legal advice, referrals, etc.), housing (emergency, transitional, and long-term), employment and training (career counseling, training, job placement, etc.), health & wellness (peer support groups, substance abuse treatment, etc.), and outreach (food pantry, clothing, etc.).
Phone: 800-482-2565
Email: info@veteransinc.org
Location: 69 Grove St, Worcester, MA 01605
National Organizations
- National Coalition for Homeless VeteransResource and technical assistance center for a national network of community-based service providers and local, state and federal agencies that provide emergency and supportive housing, food, health services, job training and placement assistance, legal aid and case management support for homeless veterans.
Phone: 202-546-1969
Toll-free phone: 800-VET-HELP
Email: info@nchv.org - GI Rights HotlineThe GI Rights Hotline provides accurate and helpful military counseling and information on military discharges, AWOL and UA, and GI Rights. The call and the service are free and confidential.
Phone: 877-447-4487
Email: girights@girightshotline.org - Department of Veterans Affairs - Homeless VeteransConnects veterans with housing, employment, benefits, healthcare, justice system and support services to assist veterans at risk or experiencing homelessness.