Mission

To end homelessness in Greater Boston by assisting individuals in obtaining housing and settling into the community, and by developing strategies to prevent homelessness before it starts.

Our Services

Eviction Prevention

Our advocates work one-on-one with low-income, at-risk households to help them stay in their homes and avoid the trauma of homelessness.  Utilizing a combination of housing and stabilization knowledge, mediation techniques, legal advocacy, and flexible monetary funds, we help high-risk households retain their housing and avoid going to shelters. In 2017, the average rental assistance payment through our Prevention Program was $700, while the average cost to the state for providing emergency shelter is over $30,000 per year.

Housing Search

Imagine trying to find an apartment in the Boston area - but consider doing it without a current address or phone number, without a computer or internet access, with no credit history, no ability to use a broker, and a limit to areas accessible by public transportation, because you don't own a car.   HomeStart advocates work with individuals and families living within homeless shelters in the Greater Boston area, assisting them through the process of finding and moving into safe, permanent housing.  Using a “Housing First” approach, HomeStart makes finding an apartment possible. 

Housing Stabilization

HomeStart case managers works to ensure that clients have the best chance at maintaining their housing after placement by providing essential support services. Stabilization case managers act as liaisons for their clients to understand, apply for, and obtain available resources. HomeStart’s Leasing Manager oversees a team of Leasing Coordinators and an in-house Inspector, who together manage the complex logistics behind clients' affordable housing subsidies. Representative Payees manage client's income, assist with processing bills for payment, and establishing budgets for housing success.