Our Services

While the prospect of ending homelessness may seem daunting, HomeStart has developed a series of direct service programs that continue to be proven effective with data driven results.

Homelessness Prevention

Our Prevention Program utilizes a combination of HomeStart's housing and stabilization knowledge, mediation techniques, and flexible monetary funds to help high-risk households retain their housing and avoid shelter. Prevention Team Members are also dedicated to developing sound housing retention strategies with low-income households all over Greater Boston.

Housing Search

Housing Search Advocates assist homeless adults and families at more than 50 shelters and programs in Greater Boston with the complicated process of locating affordable permanent housing. People are assisted one-on-one with obtaining private apartments and government subsidized housing units.

Stabilization

After moving to housing, individuals and families facing the greatest challenges to maintaining their housing - those with histories of substance abuse, mental illness, and long-term homelessness - are referred for stabilization services. Stabilization Advocates help each participant reintegrate into the community, maintain successful housing, and break the cycle of chronic homelessness.

Cambridge Resources

Our Cambridge office offers case management, housing search and stabilization services to homeless adults in Cambridge. Case Managers offer two levels of services - Intensive Case Management and Information & Referral.

Housing First

The Housing First Program helps homeless disabled individuals move directly from the streets and into permanent housing. HomeStart provides these individuals with wrap-around support services as they obtain the living skills, and health and mental health treatment they need to successfully stay in housing.

Money Management

HomeStart offers representative payee services for disabled individuals and families who need help managing their money. Money Management Specialists pay each participant’s monthly bills such as rent and utilities and work with them to set up a budget and savings plan for their remaining funds.

Training And Technical Assistance

HomeStart runs a monthly group that brings together housing advocates and case managers from around the region for information sharing, training, and networking. HomeStart also offers a Housing Search Training Series to teach new housing advocates and other providers of homeless services successful housing search strategies.

Rental Assistance

HomeStart's Rental Fund helps participants overcome the financial barriers to obtaining permanent housing. It is most often used toward move-in costs such as first month's rent or security deposit. HomeStart also runs the New Frontiers Program, which provides both monthly stipends toward rent and budgeting workshops for one year.
HomeStart also administers the Cambridge Housing Assistance Fund (CHAF).

Housing Subsidies

HomeStart has become a leading provider of special housing subsidies for the homeless disabled. HomeStart staff members match eligible participants with these subsidies, helps them locate housing in the private market using the subsidy, and provides them with follow-up supportive services

Vacancy Clearinghouse

In partnership with the City of Boston's 10% homeless set-aside program, HomeStart operates a vacancy clearinghouse that matches people who are homeless with government-funded housing units in Boston. HomeStart conducts outreach to property management companies, streamlines the tenant application process, matches tenants to units, and provides tenants with follow-up support services.