Our Story
At Housing Families, we are working to achieve housing equity and wellbeing for all. We partner with communities, families, and individuals to ensure housing stability by offering tailored services including temporary and permanent housing, food assistance, counseling and therapy, legal services, and youth programs.
Housing Families was established in Malden in 1986 and since then grew deep roots in Everett, Revere, Chelsea, and Medford. Since our inception in 1986, we’ve strengthened housing security for over 11,000 families and individuals. With Housing Families’ continued growth, we now serve over 27 communities, mainly in the Metro North region of Greater Boston.
Our Values
As a former intern and employee of Housing Families I have seen firsthand the impact their work has on families. I believe in the Housing Families mission statement and their vision of striving for housing equity and wellbeing for all. Being a regular donor is one way I am able to support that vision!
Erica Edwards, former intern
I volunteer with Housing Families because I know it will have a positive and direct impact on the quality of life for families and individuals experiencing housing and health insecurities and homelessness. I especially enjoy working with the amazing staff, and helping with community events, fundraisers and on committees.
Elizabeth Keeley, Esq.
My internship at Housing Families provided me with wide-ranging learning experiences that helped me gain the professional skillsets necessary to work in the human services field. My supervisor [Liz] not only supported me in my work with the EnrichEd program, but she also encouraged me to explore other areas of work Housing Families was engaged in so I could get the most out of my internship experience. Through that support and encouragement, I was also able to work with the Development team and discover my passion for policy work. As interns, our work is valued by our supervisors and other Housing Families staff in the same way that it would be if we were full-time employees, which is a true testament to the organizational culture. Because of these positive experiences, when I was offered a part-time role to continue my policy advocacy work after my internship ended, my answer was a resounding yes!
Katie Charcalis, MSW, MPH, Policy Advocate
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB)
Housing Families is committed to the journey of becoming a more equitable and antiracist organization. We know that we cannot achieve a world with housing equity and wellbeing for all without addressing systemic racism and the oppressive systems that cause disproportionate homelessness and a lack of housing security for people of color and other marginalized communities such as those with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ folks. Housing Families seeks to build a greater understanding of racial and social justice, continuously working internally to create more equitable policies and cultural norms.
Staff Experience
Staff Survey Results
Each year, Housing Families’ staff complete an Annual Staff Engagement and DEIB Survey. Below are some results from the most recent survey:
98.30% agreed: I feel my supervisor cares about me as a person.
96.61% agreed: I have opportunities to express my opinions freely.
93.22% agreed: I am encouraged to contribute to the improvement of the organization.
98.28% agreed: I am comfortable speaking up to my supervisor when I have questions or concerns.
Snaps
Snaps are recognitions of gratitude and accolades for our colleagues. Staff are encouraged every Monday to reflect on the past week and send Snaps to staff who have done something to celebrate.
Additionally, our monthly All Staff Meetings include an opportunity for staff to share Snaps! It’s important when working in a fast-paced environment to pause and share thanks and gratitude to colleagues.
CEO Coffee Chats
CEO Coffee Chats occur monthly in-person and are an opportunity for staff, especially new employees, to ask our CEO questions, for her to share updates and information, discuss current events, and just get to know each other. Many great staff ideas have come out of the CEO Coffee Chats that Housing Families has been able to implement.
Radical Self Care Fiber Circle
The Radical Self Care Fiber Circle is made up of staff who come together monthly over a potluck lunch to knit and crochet baby blankets for our clients. All staff are welcome regardless of whether you know how to knit or crochet – the beauty of this circle is that we teach each other!
Staff Appreciation
Housing Families holds an annual staff appreciation event, a half-day celebration to acknowledge staff accomplishments and organizational pride with food, games, music, crafts, conversation, and quality time with colleagues.
Team Self Care Days
All teams are encouraged to plan Self-Care events that can range from paint nights to team outings to yoga. These events impact team morale and a sense of belonging and aim to prevent burnout and build camaraderie.
One thing that has brought me joy while working at HFI is helping clients preserve their housing and prevent evictions. Seeing the joy on my client’s face is a good feeling that I am making a difference in someone’s life no matter how small. I also like the work environment. Everyone is so nice and friendly which helps with the hard work we do.
Staff Member
I create artwork every day that celebrates places and homes that are special to families. I also know that not everyone has the privilege of a story that includes getting to stay in their home or neighborhood. I give monthly to Housing Families so that a stable home can be a part of even more stories.