CHAF The Cambridge Housing Assistance Fund

At the Cambridge Housing Assistance Fund's Spring Kickoff Reception, Vice Mayor Marjorie Decker gave a impassioned speech lauding the commitment and dedication of the people involved in CHAF.

CHAF is a grass-roots non-profit organization that brings together a coalition of realtors, civic and business leaders, universities and local banks committed to breaking the cycle of homelessness. Since 1999, they have raised a total of $725,000 which is directly reinvested in the community – the money helps homeless and near homeless families with the start-up costs of renting a home. Thanks to CHAF, nearly 700 "at risk" households have made the transition from life in a shelter or on the street, to a safe, secure home of their own.

“As the vice mayor, I get calls all the time from people who just are on the edge,” said Decker. “Some who haven’t lost their housing yet, many who have lost their housing… and who share with me out of desperation… how scared they are of losing their homes, because they are also losing their communities. They are losing their doctor that speaks their language because of our incredible community based health clinics. They are losing their schools with the after school teacher who allows them to slip through a few weeks without paying because money is tight… The social safety net… they lose completely when they have to leave Cambridge. (CHAF) has helped a lot of people who are just there on the edge, be able to come right back until they can get on their feet. The City of Cambridge cannot do it on its own… there is a limit to what we can do as a city government so what you do makes such a critical difference… It matters in the lives of people… you really are angels in this community.”

CHAF’s goal is to raise $150,000 this year. Ellis Paul, Boston’s very own folk star, will be performing in CHAF’s 7th Annual Benefit Concert, scheduled for September 30th at the Sanders Theatre.