Our Programs

Family Shelter

Housing Families' congregate (multi-unit) shelter facilities with 24-hour staffing include:

• Broadway, Malden (4 units)
• Salem Street, Malden (5 units)
• Walnut Place, Revere (15 units)

Housing Families also provides transitional shelter for families by renting 25 individual apartment units for their temporary occupancy. All families living in family shelters participate in the agency's case management, workshops, and housing search programs.

Permanent Housing

Housing Families operates 45 affordable housing units, including:

• a 19-unit affordable housing development, Cross Street Housing in Malden, which offers on-site supportive services for resident families as well as our Children and Family Program;
• two three-decker properties providing affordable housing to six low-income families, on the Fellsway West in Medford and on Richardson Street in Malden; and
• 19 apartments leased in Medford and Malden, providing  housing and support services for families with a disabled head of household.

Housing Assistance

Housing Advocates meet weekly with each family living in shelter to help them through the complex process of completing housing applications, finding affordable housing, and negotiating leases with landlords. Once housing is secured, the family begins working with a Stabilization Worker to ensure a successful transition to housing.

Stabilization Program / Eviction Prevention Program

The Stabilization Program provides flexible, personal and practical support for families during and after their move from shelter, to help them create positive tenancies and retain their housing. The Stabilization Program also provides significant support for participating landlords, including regular phone check-in from program staff, 24 hour emergency phone contact, and mediation as needed.

In July 2008 we launched a pilot Eviction Prevention Partnership with the Malden Housing Authority, the first such initiative in Massachusetts. We identify public housing tenants at risk of eviction and offer a range of support services and flexible financial assistance in order to stabilize household members and retain the tenancy. We hope to expand this service into other Housing Authorities in the future.

Children and Family Program

Housing Families' Children and Family Program is one of the most comprehensive initiatives for homeless children in Massachusetts. Through one-on-one counseling, academic support and tutoring, therapeutic arts groups and parent groups provided by caring staff, graduate student interns and volunteers, Housing Families' children and their parents gain vital skills, confidence and self-esteem.

Roughly half of the children participating in tutoring and therapy groups live in Housing Families shelters and half are from families involved in the Stabilization Program; this ongoing relationship with Housing Families has helped children make substantial gains and maintain academic and emotional stability.

Children's Highlights

Donate to the Children's Program at Housing Families by viewing the specialized Wish List on Amazon.com.

1.      To get to our Wish List on the internet type www.amazon.com
2.      On the top right, click on "Wish List"
3.      Then, under "Find Someone's Wish List" type in "Housing
          Families" and choose "Go"
4.      A Wish List with Housing Families at the top will appear
5.      You will see a long list. Scroll down to check out the whole page.
         Press "next" at the bottom right to view the next pages. See what fits
         your budget and what items you want to donate.
6.      The Children's Program thanks you!

Regarding Amazon.com gifts please include your name and address with your donation so we can thank you for your tax deductible gift.

One Family Scholars Program

One Family Scholars is a pioneering program offering low-income and formerly homeless women with the costs of higher education, mentoring, and leadership development support. Housing Families was the first expansion site for this program and currently services 24 Scholars.

For more information, please Click Here.

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