For over 50 years, Pine Street Inn has been a place of hope and transformation for men and women experiencing homelessness. Our role extends beyond shelter to make housing possible for everyone we serve. Permanent supportive housing is a cost-effective, tested solution to end homelessness and greatly improves the quality of life for long-term homeless men and women.
Read our tenants' stories:
Galvester — A Sence of Belonging
“There are so many services available in Boston. When you need help, all you have to do is ask.”
Tom — Rebuilding His Life
Tom offered some advice for anyone who is currently experiencing homelessness. “Persevere. Hang in there, and you’ll make it. I’m so grateful for everything Pine Street has done for me.”
- Dennis B. — “Every Day You Wake Up is a Victory”
September 19, 2023 | “As a former basketball player, I learned that sometimes in life you have to be your own coach. I’m working on treating myself with compassion. Every day you wake up is a victory.”
- Calvin — This is Home
August 25, 2023 | “I’m working on getting my own apartment so I can have a bigger space for my family. I made it this far thanks to Pine Street, now, it’s time for me to give back."
- Kenneth K. — “Pine Street Didn’t Give Up on Me"
August 16, 2023 | “I’ve been housed in my current apartment for one year,” Kenneth says. “I just celebrated my anniversary, and I am filled with gratitude to Pine Street for giving me a chance.”
- Omar F. — "I Feel Like I'm Getting Back on my Feet."
August 7, 2023 | Omar F. never imagined that he would become homeless. In fact, until 2019, his career was in homeless services, where he worked in a residential program with people exiting homelessness.
- David M. — "Everyone Deserves a Second Chance"
July 12, 2023 | David grew up in a Boston suburb, the son of a veteran turned engineer and a mother who worked as a nurse. He beams with pride when he recalls his first job at age 15 and the early years in his hometown. In adulthood, things took an unfortunate turn for David, and he ended up in prison for eight years.
- John L. — “You Gotta Have Faith”
May 26, 2023 | John lived in Boston, working in the housekeeping field. He was very close to his family, especially his father, and when his father died, John became depressed and faced a series of challenges.
- Sadea - Pine Street Brought Me Up When I Was Down
May 18, 2023 | Sadea became homeless after a significant rent increase and a job loss. “I was living in an apartment with my 12-year-old son,” Sadea says. “It was a freezing cold winter when we got evicted, and we didn’t have any place to go.”
- Andrea – The Best is Yet to Come
May 8, 2023 | When she moved to Boston at age 13, she and her family faced challenges in finding affordable housing. As a result, Andrea ended up in the foster care system.
- George — Back in a Community he Loves
April 19, 2023 | George has come full circle. While he lived in Somerville for 40 years, George was born in Jamaica Plain, where he now resides in one of Pine Street’s residences.
- Darryl — I’m happier than I’ve ever been
April 7, 2023 | While Darryl worked consistently, he never earned enough to afford a place of his own. “I would bounce back and forth from my parents’ house to my sister’s — just trying to get my life together. Finally, I ended up moving in with my girlfriend. Unfortunately, when that relationship ended, I became homeless.”
- James S. — “I’m excited for what my life can be."
March 21, 2023 | “I just started a job at a restaurant, and I’m looking for housing now. For the first time in many years, I’m excited for what my life can be.”
- Louise — Finding her Way through Difficult Times
March 15, 2023 | Louise closes, “I’ve lived at my apartment for three years. I feel like I’m getting my life back on track, and I’m hopeful for the future.”
- Rebuilding His Life
February 14, 2023 | “I love it here,” Joaquin says. “I have a park across the street where I can play soccer, and I have a little kitchen where I can cook. The case managers help me with anything I need. Going to Pine Street saved me.”
- Thomas “TJ”:
February 14, 2023 | “It was a real low point, but ended up being a blessing in disguise,” TJ says. “I learned about Pine Street Inn after doing some research. They saved my life.”
- Adán P.
January 18, 2023 | “One day, my case manager let me know about an apartment that was available at a Pine Street residence,” Adán continues. “I’ve been here for about eight years, and I love my apartment. The staff are wonderful and the other tenants are like my family.”
- John H. – My Fears Won’t Control Me
December 28, 2022 | “No one plans to become homeless,” John says. "I ended up living out of my car for four months. I felt worthless. I’m almost 50 and I never expected this to happen to me.”
- Kim
December 23, 2022 | “They helped me find an apartment at one of Pine Street residences,” Kim says. “Moving here was the best decision that I’ve ever made. The staff are great and the services have significantly improved my life. I’m in a scooter because of my diabetes and the staff gets meals and groceries when I need them.”
- Renee J.
December 14, 2022 | Renee J. started the iCater food services training program in July. She immediately made an impact on her class with her upbeat outlook.
- Camal
November 29, 2022 | “I’m working part-time as a security guard right now and exploring other opportunities,” Camal says. “One day, I hope to be able to buy a house of my own.”
- Geoffrey S.: A Marine Rebuilds His Life
November 15, 2022 | “Everybody at Pine Street has been terrific. If you need help, people are here to give it to you. You have to decide what you want and go for it.”
- Tom
November 10, 2022 | Each year, Pine Street Inn supports over 340 veterans through various programs, including specialized veterans housing. “I love it here,” Tom says. “The staff is excellent and the veteran community is wonderful.”
- Cheryl
November 3, 2022 | “Pine Street has done so much for me,” Cheryl adds. “They helped me find an apartment, a job, and helped me get into recovery.”
- Nate
October 18, 2022 | “I know what it’s like to be homeless and struggle with addiction,” Nate said. “I’m so grateful for the help that Pine Street and others have given me over the years, and I want to be able to provide that support to others in need.”
- Lydia
October 12, 2022 | “I like it here. It’s a great place to be,” Lydia said. “I get along with my housemates and Pine Street’s staff are very attentive and always working to build community.
- Nick
September 30, 2022 | "Even though I usually keep to myself, I’ve gotten to know people in the building. It’s been good to have a community here, especially during Covid when I couldn’t really go places."
- Danny
September 16, 2022 | "I was at Pine Street's shelter for about two years before I moved to my apartment. My case manager helped me get my medical needs met and found housing. I love living here, I am feeling good."
- Kenny
August 29, 2022 | “It’s a good building, with a terrific community. When I first moved in, a couple of the other tenants helped me find my way around the area. It made me feel really welcome. Now I’m settled and feeling very comfortable.”
- Corrine
August 22, 2022 | "I just turned 62, and I feel lucky to wake up every day."
- Cecil: An Artistic Soul
August 9, 2022 | Cecil, a talented artist and former Marine, became homeless when he lost his job and his sister asked him to move. “I was homeless for two and a half years. Being in a shelter wasn’t easy, but I’m glad I ended up there. Sometimes, people just need help to get on their feet again.” Read more of Cecil’s story.
- Nathan
June 7, 2022 | “I really needed to start making things move fast. I was trying to get myself together and I needed to start working.”
- Emmett
June 7, 2022 | "There was not a doubt in my end that this was where I wanted to be.”
- Taisha Finds Her Passion
May 11, 2022 | Taisha describes herself as a “strong survivor.” That term barely scratches the surface. This member of our 2022 graduating Workforce Development class has come full circle with Pine Street Inn.
- Kevin
July 12, 2021 | Kevin found kindness and hope at Pine Street Inn, and is looking forward to moving into a home of his own.
- Joyce
July 12, 2021 | "I know I have the security of being able to stay safe inside my apartment."
- Portrait of Humanity - Matthew's Story
December 28, 2020 | My experience as a homeless individual has been hard, but now I have housing. I’m really grateful that I came to Pine Street.
- Portrait of Humanity - Silvaria's Story
December 4, 2020 | It was nice to jump in my bed and say “I’m home!”
- Stitching her life back together
November 27, 2020 | Francisca had suffered the unimaginable, losing her husband, business and home all within a year. Depressed and afraid, Francisca came to Pine Street Inn looking for help.
- Portrait of Humanity - Andrew's Story
November 19, 2020 | No matter what, I have a place to come home to. If you don’t have a foundation, you can’t do anything to improve.
- Portrait of Humanity - Richard's Story
November 10, 2020 | I’ve had stressful moments, and went through all the emotions at Pine Street in the midst of everything. But in the long run, it all paid off.
- Krikor dreams of starting his own business one day
August 20, 2020 | Penniless with no one to turn to, and struggling with mental illness, Krikor came to Pine Street Inn for help.
- Mike: “I was down on my luck, but then found people like Pine Street’s housing specialists that helped me back up.”
December 16, 2019 | Mike's marriage ended, and shortly thereafter he lost his job when the company shut down. Turning to alcohol to cope with his PTSD, anxiety, and depression, Mike became homeless and lived in a tent for eight years. Today, he is smiling in his apartment.
- If you can see it, you can be it.
June 20, 2019 | Lisa faced many challenges throughout life, but worked hard and dedicated herself to moving beyond these obstacles. Once homeless and battling addiction, she completed Pine Street's two job training programs, found housing and started a new job.
- David Never Gives Up
February 1, 2019 | From the Navy to the streets, David is now settling into our veteran housing.
- "Moving in to this place means freedom."
January 9, 2019 | Don, a Boston native, returned home after 32 years to deal with health issues. After hitting rock bottom and experiencing homelessness, Don settled in one of Pine Street's permanent supportive housing locations.
- I feel like I have to give back.
July 25, 2018 | Working at iCater and creating relationships with other trainees helped give Nitty the structure he needed. His gratitude and excitement for future opportunities is obvious to anyone who he meets.
- Barbara & Jeanne
June 27, 2018 | Both women were each looking for their own places, but with rents being so expensive, they decided to combine resources and get a place together. With support and resources from Pine Street Inn, they finally found an apartment.
- "It made me feel so good to move in."
January 15, 2018 | Our Outreach team met Christine on the streets, and talked to her at length about coming in to shelter. They told her about a house in JP where she could live if she worked to get sober. Finally, she said yes.
- Lakiya's Story
August 17, 2017 | Lakiya is a resident at Pine Street’s newly opened Kuehn House in Dorchester. At 25 years old, she had been homeless for almost seven years, moving out of her mother’s home at age 18 because of a difficult relationship.
