The Cambridge Housing Assistance Fund was established to provide financial assistance to homeless and near homeless
clients of three Cambridge organizations - HomeStart, the
Cambridge Multi-Service Center for the Homeless and the Cambridge
Housing Authority. CHAF funds pay for expenses
related to rental housing startup costs such as first and last month's
rent, security deposit and rental fees. The Fund is
intended to help individuals and families overcome the financial
obstacles facing lower income households in obtaining affordable
housing.
Who is involved?
Founded by the Cambridge Council of Realtors, CHAF is a
public/private partnership with HomeStart, the Cambridge
Multi-Service Center for the Homeless, the Cambridge
Housing Authority and CASCAP.
What do HomeStart, the Cambridge Multi-Service Center for the
Homeless and the Cambridge Housing Authority do?
HomeStart and the Cambridge Multi-Service Center provide housing
search and support services to homeless and near-homeless families
and individuals. Support services offered include information
and referral to affordable housing programs; housing search support
groups; access to telephone, voice mail and transportation
resources; assistance negotiating with property owners and managers
and case management services supporting access to healthcare,
community service agencies, education and employment programs and
home-based services.
In addition, staff provide stabilization services following a
family's move to their new home. These stabilization services
increase the long term stability of the tenant and the likelihood
that they will fulfill all the terms of their lease.
The Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) provides safe, high-quality
affordable housing to Cambridge low-income families, elders and
special needs households. The CHA is a high-performing,
national leader in the field of public housing. CHA-owned
units plus leased housing placements make up some 10 percent of the
city's total rental stock.
In addition to basic programs, the Cambridge Housing Authority
administers a variety of special and innovative housing initiatives.
These include a tenant homeownership program, several elderly
congregate programs, several special needs residences, a single room
occupancy program and a tenant services program that has won
national awards and recognition for effectiveness in working with
youth, children and adults.
What is needed for the fund?
Saving the funds necessary to obtain an apartment can often seem
and, in fact, be insurmountable for low-income families. If
someone does find a suitable apartment, the required first and last
month's rent and security deposit can total well over $4,000.
The Cambridge Multi-Service Center reports that 10-15 families a
month (or more) are in danger of losing access to an affordable
apartment due to their inability to save enough for the required
start up costs. Many families who are in possession of a
rental subsidy to pay for their rent, lose the subsidy because they
are unable to secure an apartment. This dilemma affects
individuals as well and will only continue given economic trends and
recent public funding cuts.
How does the fund work?
An approval committee, comprised of staff from HomeStart, Inc.,
the Cambridge Housing Authority and the Cambridge Multi-Service
Center, disperses grants based on need and expected housing
retention. The approval committee grants monies based on
criteria agreed upon by the Cambridge Community of Realtors.
What about administrative costs?
HomeStart covers the costs of administering the fund.
Donations to the fund are tax deductible to the full extent of the
law.
