By sharing best practices and data-driven solutions with communities across Massachusetts and securing resources for innovative programs, MHSA works alongside member agencies and public officials to implement evidence-based, Housing First solutions to homelessness.
A Place to Live creates micro-unit housing, a cost-effective model of permanent supportive housing that can be replicated across the state.
Pay for Success is the first social financing initiative in the nation to address chronic homelessness. Since launching in 2015, it has housed more than 1,000 people experiencing homelessness, surpassing its goal of housing 800 tenants over six years.
Since 2006, HHG has placed more than 1,100 individuals into permanent supportive housing and become a national model in addressing chronic homelessness through supportive housing.
The COVID-19 pandemic quickly became a very real threat to people experiencing homelessness across Massachusetts. MHSA coordinated our network of service providers to learn what was happening on the front lines and to advocate for additional resources to address those needs. The immediate need was helping homeless shelter providers to depopulate or reduce the number of individuals in their shelters. We advocated for resources they needed to depopulate emergency shelters and to create safe spaces for individuals who needed to quarantine. MHSA also began facilitating a regular virtual meeting with staff at permanent supportive housing programs. We learned what challenges they were facing on the front lines, brought in experts to consult with them on challenges and helped them problem-solve for solutions for those they served. MHSA also launched a webinar series, “Individual Homelessness in a COVID-19 World,” with leading service providers and public officials discussing the impact of the changing COVID-19 circumstances on homelessness in Massachusetts. Hundreds of viewers have tuned in to hear from MHSA and our expert panelists about lessons learned and the need for a coordinated statewide response to the challenges that remain ahead.
