Home & Healthy for Good

Track Sponsor: Highland Street Foundation

Founded:as a program of the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance (2006)

Current Revenue: $1.27 million

Need

Historically, the needs of chronically homeless individuals have not been met by the traditional emergency shelter model because they are uniquely vulnerable to a complex interplay of medical, mental, and addiction disabilities that are virtually impossible to manage in the setting of homelessness.

In Massachusetts, chronically homeless people are 18% of the homeless population but use 50% of the resources allocated to addressing homelessness.
Chronically homeless individuals require a high level of state funds. Annual costs per person are estimated at over $33,000 for Medicaid, shelter, and incarceration.
The estimated average annual Medicaid cost for those who remain on the street ($26,124) is three times higher than for those who become housed ($8,499).

About

Home & Healthy for Good (HHG) provides housing, support services, and advocacy for chronically homeless people across Massachusetts. Chronically homeless individuals, those who have experienced repeated or extended stays on the street or in temporary shelter, have unique vulnerabilities and have been underserved by the traditional emergency shelter model. HHG has shown that housing is the most effective starting point for intervention to chronic homelessness, leading to better outcomes and lower overall cost. Thus, the first step in HHG’s intervention is permanent housing. HHG has successfully advocated for state funding of the Housing First model, and, operating through its 14 partner agencies, HHG has provided housing and support services for more than 400 individuals since 2006. HHG aspires to house one-third of the 3,000 chronically homeless individuals in Massachusetts by 2012 and eliminate chronic homelessness in the commonwealth by 2015.

Key Accomplishments

Having established a successful model for reducing chronic homelessness, improving quality of life, and cutting costs, HHG is well positioned to increase its scale of impact throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Through its statewide network of 14 partner agencies, HHG has provided housing and support services to 432 individuals since 2006, with 84% retention in housing.
Since securing state budget funding of $600,000 in 2006, HHG has doubled public support to $1.2 million through advocacy and demonstrated social impact.
HHG has been named a “best practice” by the Massachusetts Commission to End Homelessness and a “model response” by the state Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness.

Join the Cause

In-Kind Support

Housing units
Program research and evaluation consulting
Fundraising and development consulting

Financial Support

$15,000 – Provide housing and services for one person for one year
$10,000 – Underwrite training, assistance and evaluation for network partners implementing Housing First model
$5,000 – Provide supportive services for one person for one year

Learn More

Want to learn more about Home & Healthy for Good, a program of Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance? View their full Social Innovation Forum prospectus here.

Contact Information

Joe Finn
Executive Director
(617) 367-6447
jfinn@mhsa.net