Here you will find all sorts of info about the Emmaüs organisation founded by the Abbé Pierre. It started out as an association of structured “self-help” communities to get the least able back on their feet socially and economically. The movement now operates through a series of structures with specific objectives. “Relais” appear in several contexts related to Emmaüs, (“prêt relais”, “relais de la parole” and many others) but specifically in reference to the centres (eg : le Relais Bellepierre) set up by the Foundation where marginalized people work recycling unwanted clothes, repairing unwanted household goods which are then sold to raise money. The “relais” were set up in 1984.

There is the English Emmaüs site (www.emmaus-international.org) but the site is not up yet.

Therefore, it does has a very specific meaning here with regard to the Abbé Pierre. Whilst it could be for accommodation, it does in fact very specifically refer to the centres where 730 needy people on the edge of society are employed. However, as you have to marry the term up to your context to which the parallel is being drawn. Your choice of term will no doubt depend on the specific function of the "relais" in your original context. This is a difficult one! English language equivalents I found on the web often used the word "centre" (adaptive work centre, bridge to work centre...). A personal thing here : many used the word "needy" but perhaps not that appreciated by those concerned! Probably why the term "relais" was used in France, as it covers a lot.

1 - http://www.emmaus-bourgoin.org/mouvement/mouvement.htm (For everything you ever wanted to know about the Abbé Pierre but never dares to ask…)

Emmaüs France est une des régions du Mouvement Emmaüs internationaL Les différents groupes locaux se référant au mouvement Emmaüs en France, se retrouvent dans l'Association Emmaüs France crée en 1985. Cette association les représente auprès des pouvoirs publics et des médias et veille à l'application des articles du Manifeste Universel du Mouvement Emmaüs.
La grande richesse d'Emmaüs France vient de la variétés et de la complémentarité de l'ensemble de ses composantes présentées ci-dessous:

2 - http://www.cg974.fr/rd000419.html

235 CPS/DPEFS
DIR

Demande de subvention de la Fondation Abbé-Pierre, pour le fonctionnement du relais social de Bellepierre

Subvention accordée

3 - http://w1.neuronnexion.fr/~emmausbj/dpresse/presse2.htm

Les Relais Créés en 1984, les Relais sont des entreprises dont l’activité est centrée sur la fripe. Leur objectif et leur raison d’être sont de créer un maximum d’emplois, en particulier pour des personnes marginalisées. Aujourd'hui, les Relais emploient 730 personnes sur l'ensemble de la chaine du vêtement d'occasion : ramassage (source d'emplois non qualifiés), vente et tri sélectif à destination du recyclage.