Our Mission

Commuter Services and Housing Resource Center (CSHRC) is a student-initiated department within the Student Affairs and Campus Life executive area. It is committed to providing advocacy, counseling, education, programming and services to University students living in the town of Amherst and the surrounding area. CSHRC's mission is to enhance and improve the quality of life for off-campus students and their families, and to advocate for students' interests as commuters and residents of the community. Within its mission, CSHRC provides a broad range of opportunities, information, advice, education, advocacy, referrals and other services on housing, family and related issues.

Who We Are

Commuter Services and Housing Resource Center is the largest rental listing service in Hampshire and Franklin counties and provides advocacy and programming to undergraduate and graduate students. Our services are open to all members of the community.

Free Rental Listing Service

We have listings available for a wide variety of housing options including vacant houses and apartments, shared housing, sabbatical listings, and summer and wintersession sublets. All of our listings can be accessed either by coming into our office or using our web page: http://www.cshrc.org/

Grievance & Mediation

CSHRC is a source of basic information on landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities. Our staff is trained to handle mediation of landlord/tenant and tenant/tenant disputes. We also provide referrals for both students and community members with housing

Childcare Tuition Assistance

CSHRC awards scholarships to undergraduates at UMass who need assistance paying for childcare. These are available to any undergraduate parent receiving financial aid.

Family Programs

CSHRC offers programs such at Dinner On Us and STEP to provide parent support, education and skill building. These programs are supported by public grants and are open to all members of the community free of charge.

HomeSharing

This program matches renters with householders who would be willing to exchange low-cost or no-cost housing for services performed by the renter. Services requested most often are childcare and eldercare.

Pioneer Valley Oil Cooperative

CSHRC maintains and operates a service that permits individuals, households and businesses to purchase heating oil at reduced rates through the Pioneer Valley Oil Cooperative.

Advocacy

The office staff provides information and referrals to other offices and agencies. The Director of CSHRC represents affordable housing concerns by serving on boards and committees that have an impact on the local housing market.