Founded in 1999 by local realtors concerned about the rising costs of housing and committed to
maintaining diversity in Cambridge, CHAF has helped nearly 1,200 homeless and near homeless individuals
and families find permanent housing by assisting with the initial costs of renting an apartment
Now in its tenth year, the Cambridge Housing Assistance Fund has raised hundreds of thousands of
dollars. In fact, in 2007 alone, CHAF raised $180,000, which aided more than
200 households. To
date, CHAF has raised over $1.2 million dolalrs, helping more than 1,300 households
along the way.
CHAF has grown from a fledgling group of concerned citizens into
a citywide coalition including the Cambridge banking community,
Harvard University, city officials, individuals and other businesses
committed to opening doors for the homeless.
By supplementing rental startup costs, the Cambridge Housing
Assistance Fund has assisted over
1,300 households with the transition into a stable home from life in a
shelter, on the street or on the verge of near homeless.
Hopefully, CHAF has dispelled some stereotypes along the way.
Many of CHAF's homeless are working families who have fallen on
some hard times and need a "hand up" to get back on their feet. With
counseling and follow up support services from our
agency partners, 95 percent of the
people helped by the Cambridge Housing Assistance Fund are still in their homes a year after receiving
assistance.
The annual CHAF benefit concert is the largest fundraising event for the organization
and has providedthe Cambridge Housing Assistance Fund with its main source of donations. The concert
was traditionally been held in Sanders Theatre, thanks to the generosity of Harvard University, and the past nine benefit concerts for the Cambridge Housing
Assistance Fund evoked an overwhelming response from the community.
