Addressing Chronic Homelessness

Pine Street Inn provides intensive assistance in finding housing and supportive services within or beyond our own housing. We work with long-term guests and individuals on the street who have complex challenges, assisting these chronically homeless men and women in moving from the chaos and trauma of long-term homelessness to the stability and hope of supportive housing. Much of our success is a result of dedicated staff, and an innovative partnership with the City of Boston along with multiple stakeholders.

Using new databases, Pine Street partners with the City of Boston to produce a ranked list of 200 chronically homeless adults with the longest and most challenging histories of homelessness. These individuals are then matched with a coordinated list of available affordable apartments and rental vouchers.

Part of Pine Street’s housing portfolio includes zero-barrier housing opportunities for chronically homeless individuals with debilitating mental health challenges, known as Safe Havens.

Leo Adorno, a long-time Pine Street Inn employee, says the biggest difference from past practice is the collaborative approach including a target list of people to house. “This is one of the best things that has ever happened to Boston and the people we serve,” he says.

Learn more about the partnership between Pine Street and the City of Boston