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ABOUT US

At Y2Y Harvard Square, the nation’s first youth-led youth homeless shelter, Y2Y HSQ guests collaborate with service providers, other youth experiencing homelessness, and student volunteers to create sustainable pathways out of homelessness and develop skills for long-term success. Our shelter has 22 beds, which make up about 1/2 of the youth-specific shelter beds in the Greater Boston Area. Y2Y Harvard Square provides opportunities for both guests and student volunteers to become the next generation’s leading advocates for youth-driven solutions to homelessness. 

 

Y2Y Harvard Square is a shelter for young adults (18-24 years old) experiencing homelessness. Y2Y HSQ admits guests for long-term stays via our randomized electronic lottery system.

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Y2Y Harvard Square is now open for the summer season.​ 

Y2Y Harvard Square is now open for our summer operating season on June 15, 2026.

Click the link to enter the lottery.

If you are a youth experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts seeking additional resources or other shelter options, please dial 2-1-1 and use extension 27.​

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Lottery results will be sent out via email each morning. For guests who receive a bed, they are required to enter the shelter beginning at 7 PM and must be in by 9 PM, unless you have called in advance to let us know you will be late. If you call in late, you must be in the shelter by 10:45 PM. We will provide a one-night extension to arrive at Y2Y if you have made contact to claim your bed. If you have not made contact or are not present at our shelter, you will forfeit your bed and will be required to re-enter the long-term lottery if you wish to stay at Y2Y.

RESOURCES

  • 22 beds

  • Washers and Dryers

  • Showers - ADA compliant and accessible

  • Clothing and toiletries 

  • Storage

  • Computers and internet

  • Dinner, breakfast and snacks 

  • LGBTQ+ inclusive

  • Accessible for guests of all abilities

COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS

  • Doors open at 7:00 p.m.​

  • NO drugs or alcohol in the space

  • Proof of age is required 

SERVICES

  • Resource Navigation

  • Legal services

  • Medical care

  • Mental health clinicians 

  • Drop-in service providers 

  • Referrals to other service providers 

  • Resume help and job search support 

  • Leadership and advocacy opportunities 

Volunteer making meals.jpg

Y2Y is a really beautiful, unique, and inclusive community that emphasizes the importance of building trusting relationships and connections. I will hold the values and relationships I formed at Y2Y close to me throughout the rest of my career, and I plan to continue serving people experiencing homelessness after I graduate.

Y2Y HSQ Student Staff Member

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

  • Arrive before 4pm, beds at the door

  • 60-night beds available

  • See Y2Y Case Manager for more details

  • Men only, wet

  • MBTA: Andrew Station or #1 bus from Harvard

  • Men and women aged 18+, Dry shelter

  • Operating Schedules:

    • October 15 – April 15 

    • Mid-June to Mid-august 

  • 66 Winthrop St., Cambridge

  • MBTA: Harvard Square

  • (617) 544-7073

  • Bed Lottery is run 3 days a week: Monday, Wednesday & Friday

  • Takeaway dinners at the door from 8pm - 10pm, during operating seasonsoperating seasons

  • Roxbury, MA

  • 617-267-3700

  • Ages 18 to 25 only

112 SOUTHAMPTON ST.
SHELTER

HARVARD SQUARE
HOMELESS SHELTER

LIBERTY VILLAGE

BRIDGE OVER
TROUBLED WATERS

  • 47 West Street, Boston

  • 617-423-9575

  • Sign up by 3:00 p.m. 

  • Ages 18 – 24 only

  • MBTA: Park Street Station

PINE STREET INN

  • 617-892-9100 

  • Wet

  • Arrive before 3:00 p.m. for lottery at the door

  • Men’s Inn: 444 Harrison Ave, Boston

    • MBTA: Broadway, or #9 or #11 bus from Broadway

  • Women’s Inn: 363 Albany Ave, Boston

    • MBTA: Broadway

WOODS MULLEN SHELTER

  • 794 Mass Ave, Boston

  • MBTA: #1 bus from Harvard

  • 617-534-7100

  • Arrive before 4:00 p.m., beds at the door

  • Women only

  • Wet

CASPAR SHELTER

  • 240 Albany Street, Cambridge

  • 617-661-0600

  • MBTA: #1 bus from Central Square or Harvard Square

  • Beds given at the door

  • Wet

ROSIE'S PLACE

  • 889 Harrison Ave, Boston

  • 617-442-9322

  • MBTA: #47 from Central Square or Silver Line (Washington St. and Lenox St.

  • Call 8:00 a.m. M-F for the bed lottery

  • Women only

  • Dry

HEALTH CARE SERVICES

  • 130 Boylston St, Boston

  • 617-457-8140

  • MBTA: Boylston Street (Green Line)

  • Mon-Fri: 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.

  • Drop-In: Mon & Fri: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

  • Urgent Care Center 660 Broadway, Somerville

  • 800-981-4357 (call prior to visit)

  • MBTA: Davis Square

  • Walk-ins: 7:00 a.m. –11:00 p.m. M-F; 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. weekends.

  • Mobile crisis teams (a separate team for young adults under 21)

  • 362 Green Street, Cambridge

  • Call 617-349-6340 for an appointment

  • MBTA: Central Square

  • New client walk-in hours: 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. M-F

SIDNEY BORUM

BEST/CSEPS

CAMBRIDGE MULTI-SERVICE CENTER

CAMBRIDGE HEALTHCARE FOR THE HOMELESS (SALVATION ARMY)

  • 402 Mass Ave, Cambridge

  • T access: Central Square

  • Hours

    • Mon: 1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.​

    • Tues: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

    • Wed: 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (women)

    • Thurs: 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. 

BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS

  • 47 West St, Boston, MA 02111

  • 617-423-9575

  • MBTA: Park Street

  • M-F 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

  • Young adults 14-24

  • Offers numerous day-time services including appointments with licensed clinical counselors

To contact Y2Y HSQ Shelter during our off-season, please email y2yharvardsquare@pbha.org

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