A few years ago, Lucielle was living a “nightmare.”
When she was ill and unable to work for weeks on end, she and her daughter and granddaughter had to move quickly from one too-expensive apartment to another that was in disrepair and unsafe; the threesome was facing homelessness. The family’s road to stable housing started when Lucielle contacted her state legislators for help. They referred her to MBHP, where a combination of privately donated emergency assistance funds, case management, and pubic assistance helped turn the family’s life around. Now they live in a homey apartment across the street from Lucielle’s granddaughter’s school. “I’m so grateful to be here,” said Lucielle. “It’s nice to come home and be proud of where you live. It’s a healthy environment.”

Carmella and Frank thought that once they caught up on their unmanageable heating fuel bill, their financial situation would stabilize. Then the house where they lived was sold and they had to move, but they couldn’t afford higher rent. At risk of eviction, the couple needed to find housing quickly on their very limited income. With MBHP’s help, Carmella and Frank were able to qualify for a Section 8 Project Based Voucher (PBV) administered by MBHP. “What a relief!” exclaimed Carmella about their new home. “I just love it. It’s so modern and so cheery.”

When living arrangements with family members no longer were an option, Fatme and her infant son ended up homeless and in a motel shelter. But it didn’t take her long to realize that with some help, she could change her life’s course. Fatme and her MBHP housing search specialist worked together on a housing search plan that included job training resources and budgeting and self-sufficiency skills development. After four months in shelter, Fatme received a project-based voucher from the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) and moved into her own apartment. MBHP helped her connect with emergency and flexible funds for clothes, furniture and household items. Fatme now is working toward her career goals and volunteering. “Don’t just sit there,” she says. “There are people who are willing to help. But you can’t just sit there.”

Carol lived with her daughter and grandchildren in Field’s Corner. When knee problems made it impossible for Carol to continue climbing the stairs to her second floor apartment, she entered a nursing home for rehabilitation. Two weeks turned into nine months, and Carol lost her housing voucher. In collaboration with the Women’s Lunch Place, MBHP’s Staying Home Program worked with Carol to find her rental assistance and a new place to live – without stairs. “They’ve done more for me than anybody else has,” says Carol. Today, Carol has permanent housing at an apartment in an assisted living community, and her MBHP project-based voucher helps to pay the rent.

Markeithia is a Boston police officer who underwent two surgeries for breast cancer. With two children to care for and more than a year of treatment and recuperation, she turned to her family, friends, and police union for help. Although everyone chipped in to keep her afloat, her funds ran out quickly. When Markeithia approached MBHP’s Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC), she owed three months of back rent with no means of payment until she returned to work. Markeithia’s rental arrearage was paid by the Emergency Assistance Fund thanks to an anonymous donor. Says Markeithia, “Being a survivor of breast cancer allows you to look at life in a different way and to be grateful for life … It is good to know that there are people who care about the plight of others.” Markeithia’s story spurred additional funding for homelessness prevention from the Gillette Foundation.

Alan lived in a shelter for military veterans before receiving his housing voucher. With the help of MBHP’s Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS), he was able to obtain his bachelor’s degree, move into an apartment, and find full-time employment. He hopes to one day purchase a home. “The FSS Program supported me while I was completing my commitments to get my B.A., maintain employment, and improve my credit – all of which I have accomplished,” Alan says.