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meeting agreed that they had witnessed increases in mental health service needs, youth crises, and households with pressing debt problems over the past year. II.OUT-OF-TOWN SERVICES. 10. Bristol Lodge for Women. This is a housing shelter for women only based in ~Ualtham. About 500 women were served last year. They came in from the surrounding region and include an estimated ten women from Lexington. Bristol keeps records on its clients from ~Ualtham and Newton only because these towns contribute to its funding. The need for beds is rising. There was a 50 percent increase in 2005 over previous years for example, including many homeless women who hold jobs during the day but cannot afford housing of their own. The shelter is packed to overflowing every night, even during the warm weather season. Bristol staff try to help clients find low cost housing and they collaborate with the Lexington Housing Authority, among many other agencies in the area, but on average such housing entails a two year waiting list. There is also a Lodge for men which operates on very similar lines, but we did not interview this location. ~Ue did learn that a few Lexington men utilize it each year. 11. Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA). This agency, located at 200 Pleasant Street, in Malden, once served as the state welfare department. It has several cash assistance programs to help individuals and families who fall into the income guidelines. They provide food stamps as well. One of their cash assistance programs provides $380 s month to elderly and disabled individuals who have no other sources of income. They also provide cash assistance to families with dependent children 18 years and under, and an emergency assistance shelter program for homeless persons and a teen parent shelter for women 1~