Why It Works

… We are committed to maintaining places of dignity for our residents, which is why each residence has a property and site manager responsible for the well-being of our residents and the upkeep of the property.

… Each of our rooms comes furnished with a new bed, dresser, desk, chair and lamp. And for our lowest-income residents—many arriving from the streets or shelters—a “Welcome Home Basket” complete with a set of sheets, a pillow, blankets, towels, a place setting, a cutting board, an alarm clock and personal care essentials, all thanks to our Caritas Young Leaders.

… With average weekly rents ranging from $135-$155, we are affordable to those on a very limited income. Read more about living on minimum wage »

… Residents stabilize and rebuild lives as they connect with the services they need through our onsite and partnering social service providers.

… We are committed to keeping our residents in their homes even if they fall on hard times. Though our Homelessness Prevention Program, if a resident has fallen behind on rent due to an unexpected expense, illness or change in employment, we work with them to find a solution through job-training connections and rent support.

…Through our Open Art Studio and Open Writing Workshop, we are building programs that provide a safe environment for self-expression and connection.

Caritas Communities works because of our commitment to developing, building and maintaining housing and a community that works. For the 919 Caritas residents who have a key to their own room where they feel safe and less alone in the world, we are proud of the work that we do. We believe that every person deserves a safe, clean place to call home.

Neighborhood Impact

Caritas improves neighborhoods by providing housing to people who might otherwise live on those same streets or in a local shelter. By housing our most disadvantaged neighbors with on-site management, Caritas is providing a safe living environment for these residents to thrive in the local community. When those in need are cared for, the whole community strengthens. This provides a platform of opportunity and positive change with increased employment, expanded development and the renewal of distressed neighborhoods, and it promotes economic and social integration while building community.

Our Results

For over 30 years, Caritas has stayed true to our mission of providing sustainable and affordable housing to some of Boston’s most vulnerable citizens: previously homeless veterans, those dealing with mental and physical health issues, the working poor, the elderly and disabled, those on extremely low fixed incomes or unable to earn a living wage. We know that permanent housing allows our residents to find their footing and begin to rebuild their lives. That is a benefit not only to our residents, but to the communities of Greater Boston as a whole.

Each year, the number of men and women who transform their lives with our help number in the hundreds. When you add to that the scores of residents who have derived stability, enrichment and a sense of community at our buildings year after year, the number grows to the thousands.

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