Ian Gendreau
Director of Programs and Planning
617-367-6447 ext. 37
igendreau@mhsa.net
Ian joined MHSA in 2023 as the Director of Programs and Planning where he oversees the programs team that manages and monitors funding to sub-contracted agencies, master leases permanent supportive housing with service providers, and develops and supports a strong delivery system of Housing First permanent supportive housing for individuals who have experienced chronic and long-term homelessness. Prior to joining MHSA, he served as the Advisor for Systems to End Homelessness for the City of Boston. In that position he led the Initiative to End Veterans Homelessness, co-led the Initiative to End Chronic Homelessness, and chaired the Boston Continuum of Care Leadership Body. He was responsible for the development and maintenance of the Boston Coordinated Access System, the tool for matching homeless individuals to housing resources; the upgrade and relaunch of the Boston Coordinated Entry System; and the creation and implementation of housing surges – a nationally recognized approach to quickly housing vulnerable clients during a single day event. Prior to his work with the City of Boston, Ian worked at HomeStart where he managed the Veterans Services Program. Before working in the field of homelessness, Ian worked as a teaching artist and musician. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Ethnomusicology from SUNY Geneseo and a master’s degree in Ethnomusicology from Tufts University.