HOUSING
When there’s the Y, there’s a way to provide shelter to those in need. Since its founding in 1851, the YMCA of Greater Boston has provided housing to Boston’s most vulnerable residents.
FAMILIES IN TRANSITION (FIT)
One of our most effective housing programs is the Families in Transitions (FIT) emergency shelter. The Huntington Avenue YMCA’s Families in Transition program is an emergency housing shelter for homeless families which is funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development. FIT provides a wide range of services including advocacy, life skills training, employment support, health and wellness opportunities, childcare provisions, case management curriculum, and housing search assistance to help families secure and sustain permanent housing and stabilization. FIT provides housing to 22 families with support services to transition them to permanent housing, offering amenities such as private, secured units with private baths, communal kitchens and program laundry facilities. Ten of FIT’s units are designated for and supported by an ancillary contract with the Department of Public Health (BSAS) to offer additional supportive case management services to families headed by single-parent moms with substance abuse history. Over the last 10 years, FIT has placed 272 families into permanent housing, 95% of whom remain permanently housed, compared to a statewide average of 65%.
FIT works passionately to secure adequate, affordable housing and to help families develop the skills and abilities they need to maintain their homes once settled into permanent housing.
Contact Juanita Darlington for more information.
HUNTINGTON HOUSE
Huntington House features 67 single occupancy units administered by the Boston Housing Authority and is a HUD Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation program. Residents in the program benefit from employment opportunities, health and wellness activities and residential management services provided by the YMCA. The YMCA partners with many other non-profit organizations to provide Huntington House residents with a full range of supportive services.
To learn more about this program, contact Cruz Management at (617) 789-9032
MYSTIC PLACE SCATTERED-SITE
Our Mystic Place scattered site program offers 10 homeless families the privacy and dignity that comes with being housed in spacious, fully furnished 2BR apartments in Medford, MA. While occupying traditional apartments, however, these families work with case managers and housing search workers to secure their own permanent housing opportunities.
Like our Families in Transition program, Mystic Place is funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development. In addition, families are also provided a wide range of services including advocacy, life skills trainings, employment support, health and wellness opportunities, childcare provisions, case management curriculum, and housing search assistance to helpfamilies secure and sustain permanent housing and stabilization.
Contact Juanita Darlington for more information.
Donations
The YMCA Housing Division accepts monetary and in-kind donations to ensure that our families have the material items they need to be successful.
We are always in need of:
- Linens (sheets, towels, comforters, etc.)
- Baby items (strollers, clothing, etc.)
- Laundry detergent
- Cleaning Supplies
- Gift cards
- T-Passes
We may accept other items seasonally and as needed. If you’d like to make a donation to our shelter programs, please contact Claire Kaiser at ckaiser@ymcaboston.org or by texting or calling (857) 225 7755.
