In addition to providing shelter, affordable housing, and supportive services, Emmaus also seeks to prevent homelessness by keeping people in their current housing or by finding new apartments for homeless individuals and families.
Prevention
Emmaus works to divert families in danger of becoming homeless by working with landlords to pay eligible housing costs, including:
- Back Payment of Owed Rent
- First and Last Months’ Rent
- Security Deposits
- Utility Costs
Emmaus receives and distributes state and federal funding through the state HomeBASE program, preventing around 180 families from entering the shelter system each year.
Rehousing and Stabilization
Emmaus’ Housing program works to move families out of shelter and into stable housing. Families are assigned case managers who provide one-on-one assistance to help clients remain up to date on rent and utilities and access all available resources in the area. The program helps cover upfront costs of a new apartment, including first and last months’ rent and security deposit, to help clients get started in their new home.
The Housing program utilizes Emmaus’ extensive network of local landlords, housing authorities, and low-income housing projects, as well as more than 150 service providers. Emmaus ranks at the top among shelter providers in Massachusetts for housing placements, helping an average of more than 150 families a year find housing since 2011.
Coordinated Entry
Emmaus also leads the North Shore Coordinated Entry System, a standardized assessment, referral, and housing placement process to ensure that families and individuals experiencing homelessness receive appropriate assistance for their immediate and long-term housing and service needs.
Individuals and families within the North Shore region who are experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness can connect with trained case managers who will speak with them about their housing situation and connect them to available programs to address their housing crisis. The program prioritizes those with the most barriers to housing for openings within federally funded supportive housing programs.