YWCA Cambridge

YWCA Cambridge is a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. It provides direct services, empowerment programs and advocacy for marginalized individuals and families, especially women and girls of color, while challenging structural barriers to equity. Housing is central to its work: with single-room housing for women and an emergency shelter for families, it is the largest residential housing provider for women in Cambridge.

Tanner Residence, its supportive housing community in Central Square, offers 103 single-room units for women who need stable, affordable housing, with on-site staff and connections to services. Renae’s Place Family Shelter provides short-term, private supportive housing for Cambridge families experiencing homelessness while they work toward permanent homes. The organization also runs youth leadership programs for ages 11 to 18, racial and social justice advocacy, and health and wellness programs at its Central Square location.

What to Know

• In 2024, 131 women lived at Tanner Residence, all of them below the poverty line.
• Renae’s Place served 17 families, including 19 children, in 2024.
• The family shelter has 10 beds.