Temporary Housing for Women in Boston? (Newton, Wellesley: apartments, rentals, insurance)

[Sophana]

Does anyone know of housing for women in Boston? I lived at the Boston YWCA once, however you can only get a small room. I’m in need of an apartment with a kitchen on public transportation. I’m 62 so I may qualify for some type of senior housing. I’ve been searching City-Data and using Google for the greater Boston area. If anyone knows of rooming, houses, rentals, shares that are safe and clean that would be great. I need to keep the rent below $800. Many thanks for your ideas!

[Baltic_Celt]

Hello Sophana -

Here's a link for elder housing options in MA:
Housing - Elder Affairs

The one great thing about MA is there are many free senior services, services for lower income folks & families in need. Check out senior or elderly services in the blue pages of the phonebook for resources. There's also an Office of Elder Affairs within the Secy of State's office, so begin there for a list of resources. The Secy of State's office is extraordinarily helpful, so keep their # at hand. I'd also ask them how to get onto a list for elderly housing. If they don't have the answer, they'll at the very least refer you to someone.

If you'd like assistance with food, call the Dept. of Transitional Assistance for foodstamps & you may even be eligible for money to supplement your income.

Are you eligible for SS benefits? If you're not sure, call your local SS Office.

Do you belong to AARP? Can they offer local help?

Many local churches (mostly Protestant) offer foodbanks & you need not be of that denomination to collect free food. If you don't need it, they can always use volunteers, so it may be a nice place to network. Perhaps they'll also have lists of organizations that can help you. Call everyone & anyone. One resource will lead to the next & the next.

You may even want to call Rosie's Place, which is a homeless shelter, not for their services but for info. They may have a list, or again referral number, as I'm sure some of their residents leave for halfway housing/affordable apts. within the Boston communties. Never hurts to ask.

Have you checked out Craigslist.org for apts?

Roommates.com may be a resource if you're interested in sharing a flat.

Also, there must be a local senior center in E. Boston. These places are great resources for community events, info & free services as well as a nice place to network with other seniors. If you don't know where it is, look in your phone book for elderly housing or even a local nursing home & call them. They'll know the name & #.

Don't be shy about making calls. My famous phrase when trying to find out info is "Thank you for your help. If you (don't know, can't help or don't offer this service), can you refer me to someone who can?"

Best of luck to you... VV

Link for Office of Elder Affairs with many resources:
Elder Affairs

Here's a link for the state site:
Mass.Gov

Link for Dept. of Transitional Assistance:
Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) Area Offices - Massachusetts

AND

Health and Human Services

[Sophana]

Dear KittensPurr,

Thank you very much for answering. I'm aware of some of these resources but it's taking a long time. I went to the Boston Homelessness Prevention Clearinghouse, however I need a birth certificate to qualify for many services. I lost my certificate and passport years ago. MassHealth now requires everyone to provide them with a birth certificate. The Clearinghouse referred me to Blackstone Apartments in Boston, however they are not accepting new tenants for two years. I didn't think of Rosie's Place. I don't need a shelter, but as you say perhaps they have information. I posted because I was hoping there might be some kind of women's housing, like a rooming house. I am Protestant and thought of contacting churches. Once I worked for a church which had an apartment available for women in need of temporary housing. I'm going to look into Craigslist and Roommates.com. Thank you for these links and suggestions. I know you're right that one resource will lead to another.

Grateful thanks, CM

[Baltic_Celt]

You're welcome, CM.

If services depend upon it, it's not expensive to replace your b'cert - $10 range & free for veterans. In some cases it can be done over the 'net & in others via snail mail.

In the meantime, until you replace your b'cert & obtain MassHealth, if you need healthcare, most hospitals offer "free care" programs. Call the main # of a hospital you can easily reach for treatment & tell them you'd like to apply for free care. They'll connect you with that dept & mail an application to you. Coverage is free for 1-yr, I have known several folks who were on it (1 at Newton Wellesley Hospital, 1 at St. Elizabeth's & the last at Mass General) & I don't believe they were asked to supply many, if any, documents. They were all legal citizens, but 2 were born in other countries, saying it was easy to get. You are assigned a primary care dr right in the hospital & all of your referrals/specialists are within that hospital, so it's convenient for the patient. Don't go without insurance coverage when there are resources to help you.

There might be rooming houses around, but it's one of those services that unless you/family/friends need those services, you don't know about. I've had elderly neighbors I've helped find free food banks & others who had free healthcare, so I know a bit about them, but not much with housing.

I just thought of something. Here's another # that surely will be helpful. It's a free program called Call for Action, affiliated with WBZ TV/Radio. They help with any problem you may have & should have info on rooming houses. I called them 20-yrs ago for guidance with a consumer problem & again 10-yrs ago for advice with an error on a bill. They're still around & even follow-up with a call to see if you need further assistance.

Here's the link with all the info:
WBZ NEWSRADIO 1030 - WBZ's Call For Action

And, here's a bit of info on calling:

******************
Call us at 617-787-7070 between 11AM and 1:30 PM, Monday-Friday.
The phones are frequently busy. Please keep trying.
You may leave a message 24 hours a day and our volunteers will return your call.
******************

Best of luck to you & I'd strongly encourage you to get a duplicate copy of your birth certificate... VV

[Sophana]

Hello KittensPurr -

Here's some information about birth certificates. Because I was born in Washington, D.C. the cost for one certificate is $23 because I now live out of state. If I still lived there the cost would be $18. (Each state charges differently). The Bureau of Vital Statistics is the contact. They require one photo I.D. In my case I submitted my license which has an old address, however they are only interested in the expiration date not the address. Of course a passport is good. They process the information in three weeks.

I've applied for MassHealth. I have not been able to reach Call for Action yet but that sounds like a wonderful resource. You are the only person who has answered me, so I may post in the Boston forum. It's been very slow going trying to find a place to move to. Thanks so much for your help. CM

[Baltic_Celt]

Originally Posted by Sophana

You are the only person who has answered me, so I may post in the Boston forum. It's been very slow going trying to find a place to move to. Thanks so much for your help. CM

Don't get discouraged. Most people don't answer a post as they have no info or nothing further to add. Sometimes I see interesting posts with questions about subjects I know nothing about, so I view the post, but couldn't possibly answer. Many, such as myself aren't on everyday. I sometimes leave the board for weeks at a time. Some things just take a bit of time & I'd venture to guess that many have no idea about rooming houses, as they haven't needed to utilize them.

You'll eventually get there. Tracking info can be a painstaking process, but you do move 1 step closer each day, even if it doesn't momentarily feel as such, & as you mentioned with the b'cert, it takes 3-wks to process & you can't rush 3-wks. Perhaps you'll more readily find what you need by calling # after # from the blue pages of the phone book, beginning with the Secy. of State's Office of Elder Affairs & asking for referrals from everyone you speak with, like some sort of elder advocates, as opposed to posting here where the vast majority of members are families involved with issues surrounding homeownership & relocation, rather than state/elder aid. Keep trying Call for Action, as I'm sure they'll at least point you in the right direction. The 2 times I needed them, I literally sat with the phone & continually hit redial until I got through, which took hours. Persistence pays.

If your need to move is immediate, Craigslist.org lists many shared rentals, which would be more affordable & might initialy transition you from your current living space to a place to wait for the perfect place to open. There are many options, so don't give up & widen your search as much as possible.

I won't be online much for the next week or so, so I wish the best of luck to you. Have patience & feel gratitude that each step brings you one step closer to your answer. Take care... VV

[Sophana]

Thank you KittensPurr for your posts. I reached Call for Action today. They recommended Rosie's Place, Elizabeth Stone House, Executive Office of Health & Human Services, and the lady was great to speak with.

I called one of the resources and she recommended Operation Able, Boston Aging Concerns, the MFHA (Massachusetts Finance Housing Association) and MBHP (Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership). The lady I just spoke with has no housing available, but feels if I need to leave quickly I should find a room and go. She said it sounds like I need a quiet, safe place to make decisions, and some transitional assistance.

I told her what I really need is to move in with a relative or friend for a brief time to get my bearings, which is why I thought of a rooming house. She was surprised to know I have no living relatives, or a friend I could move in with temporarily, but my friends all live in small apartments. I'm 62 and aware that subsidized housing could take a very long time. She recommended I develop a plan, continue making as many phone calls as possible, and pack. She also said to look for shares at Craigslist. You've been a great help. I'll find my way. I'll miss you. CM

[maggiekate]

Hi, I just read your post and although I do not live in Boston now, you might try contacting st anthony's shrine on arch street in boston. They do alot of work with people
who need housing, and may know of a place for you. 617-542-6440

[Baltic_Celt]

Hi CM -

Great news & soon you'll be settled. Keep moving forward & it will soon be all behind you.

Best of luck to you... VV


Good idea, Maggie. Never hurts to call every resource available.