In February of 1983, Harvard Divinity School student Stewart Guernsey worked with University Lutheran Church leaders to open a student-run emergency homeless shelter in the basement of the church building. Each winter since then, the Shelter has provided dinner, breakfast, and a place to sleep for 23 homeless men and women each night. It has also provided thousands of Harvard students and others with opportunities to learn about and serve the community around them.

The Shelter is directed entirely by students from Phillips Brooks House Association, Harvard's student-run public service organization. In addition to these volunteer directors, students from many Boston-area colleges and universities, members of the UniLu congregation, and others from the community help with meal preparation, cleanup, etc. each evening. Because it is staffed entirely by volunteers, it is the most inexpensively-run shelter in the state.

The Shelter is funded by government and private contributions as well as donations from individuals. In 1997, the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter Corporation, an independent 501(c)3 organization, was formed to join University Lutheran in a campaign to improve the Shelter facilities.

The Shelter is typically open from November 15 to April 15. Some Shelter beds are available on an emergency basis. To reserve a bed in the Shelter, call (617) 547-2841 at 7:30 A.M.

University Lutheran members are welcome to volunteer at the Shelter, particularly during school break and exam periods. University Lutheran's Shelter Advisory Committee organizes other efforts to help the shelter, including opportunities to provide and prepare meals. See the Shelter Volunteer page for more information.

News articles about the shelter are available on the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter Corporation web site.