In The News

Helping those in need get needed help
By Brenda J. Buote, Globe Staff | February 14, 2008

After Diane Sullivan's husband lost his job in 2001, the family couldn't make ends meet. Their car was repossessed, the family evicted. Reluctantly, the couple turned to the state for help and found a broken system.

Sullivan was seeking a helping hand - some assistance to help the family weather a temporary setback. The state offered a handout - a motel room, at taxpayers' expense.

When Sullivan voiced her concerns, she said, her words fell on deaf ears.

Seven years later, people are listening to what the 34-year-old Medford mother of six has to say. Sullivan sits on the board of directors for Housing Families Inc. and works as a policy advocate for Homes for Families, trying to change statewide policy and end homelessness

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At the base of the ladder out of poverty
February 15, 2007
FINANCIAL SECURITY for a single mom with two kids requires more than $58,000 annually ("Better living through job help," Editorial, Feb. 12). Crittenton Women's Union, which issued the report you cite, is widely respected for its leadership in offering workers opportunity for learning and career growth as a ladder to climb out of poverty.

Consider that ladder's other end. If the same mom and two kids lose their housing, they can enter a state-funded shelter only if they earn less than $23,000. Sadly, more than 1,400 such families fill our shelters every night. These families would need to more than double their incomes to achieve Crittenton's standard for economic stability. Do you know anyone who has done that recently?

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Housing Families Inc.: Profiles in Community Service
Singer-Songwriter Sandi Hammond, of "Your Own Lullaby," Sings Housing Family Inc.'s Praises (Both literally and figuratively!)

Acclaimed songwriter Sandi Hammond and "Your Own Lullaby" are coming together for a special benefit for Housing Families to support homeless children. This fall, Sandi Hammond will donate fifty (50) percent of her proceeds to Housing Families. This time frame corresponds with Housing Families' October Kids Campaign which provides specialized services to homeless children. In the past, Sandi has previously donated ten (10) percent of her commissions to Housing Families.

Sandi Hammond is an acclaimed songwriter with a voice described by the Boston Herald as "gorgeous." The late singer-songwriter, Mindy Jostyn, was extremely supportive of Sandi after meeting when Sandi opened for Mindy at a Boston-area performance. Of Sandi's talent, Jostyn once said, "The first thing one notices, when listening to Sandi Hammond, is the depth of her voice. She delivers her songs with full-voiced emotion, more reminiscent of the great women folk singers of the 60's & 70's, than of some of her more spare-voiced contemporaries."

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Housing Families Honors the Fish Family and Peabody Properties, Inc. at 20th Anniversary Celebration
Local Non-Profit Celebrates 20 Years of Serving the Community

MALDEN, MA, August 24, 2006 - Preparations have begun for Housing Families' 20th Anniversary Celebration. Housing Families is proud to announce that the Fish Family and the Peabody Properties leadership team will receive the "Home at Last" award and Jonathan Sloane and the Sloane Family of Century Bank will serve as the event chairs for the 20th Anniversary gala and awards ceremony, "It's a Family Affair: Honoring Housing Heroes."

The Fish family and the Peabody Properties leadership team are being recognized for their commitment to affordable housing and serving those in need in the Greater Boston Area. The Fish Family, through its many business ventures, has been a major developer of affordable housing throughout MA for decades. Under the leadership of Karen Fish-Will, Peabody Properties has acquired over 10,000 units of affordable housing and social service support programs to help their residents succeed. Housing Families looks forward to drawing on Peabody Properties' experience and skilled expertise on the subject of affordable housing as HFI continues to grow and expand their services and programs for local families.

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Area children are riding in style to Housing Families' after-school program
Ronald McDonald House Charities and Eagle Bank graciously donate van to Housing Families.

MALDEN, MA, May 30, 2006 - Housing Families (HFI), a non-profit organization serving the Boston area by working with children from lower-income families living in their shelters and affordable housing programs, is the recent recipient of a new set of wheels. Working in partnership with HFI, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern New England and Eagle Bank teamed up to purchase a new Ford can from Sentry Ford in Medford. The van will aid in transporting children participating in the Housing Families after-school program.

"We deeply appreciate the generosity of the Ronald McDonald House and Eagle Bank," said Judy Perlman, CEO of HFI. "Their contribution directly benefits area children in our after-school program, allowing them to participate in critical after-school activities they may not otherwise be able to attend."

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