Transforming Youth Homelessness in Boston
Together, we can build affordable housing solutions for young people overcoming homelessness. Your support makes a difference.
About the Project
We have dedicated more than 50 years to serving homeless youth, and we’re expanding our mission with an innovative approach in Boston. With your support, we can provide the affordable, safe, and dignified housing that young people need to thrive after overcoming homelessness.
Our Vision
Covenant House is introducing 100 new affordable-for-youth housing units in Boston, breaking ground on the first 25 units in 2026. Our approach is unique as we will partner with local organizations while addressing the critical shortage of affordable housing for young adults overcoming homelessness in Boston.
Program Partners
Greater Grove Hall Main Streets
Partner: Ed Gaskin, Executive Director
Greater Grove Hall Main Streets (GGHMS) is committed to providing a diverse business district while maintaining the neighborhood’s historical character. GGHMS encourages innovative and creative techniques for fostering economic development that enriches the lives of the business owners, employees, and residents in the community.
The Rehumanization Project (TRP)
Partner: Ethan Bagley, Advocate for the Homeless / Founder
The Rehumanization Project offers wraparound care, coordination, and service referrals to low- and no-income neighbors, with a focus on the unsheltered population. Through client-centered, client-involved collaboration with specialists from across the services ecosystem, TRP works to address all of the complex issues facing everyone in parallel, generating opportunities for people to move towards thriving.
BAGLY, Inc.
Partner: Renee Gaudette, Senior Director of Programs
BAGLY serves LGBTQ+ youth and young adults through programs and services focused on three core program areas: Youth Leadership & Advocacy, Stabilization & Success, and Health & Wellness. BAGLY also operates a Community Center in downtown Boston.
Why Boston Needs Covenant House
Boston faces a significant shortage of affordable rental housing, particularly for young adults transitioning out of homelessness.
The Housing Crisis in Boston
There are 122,079 affordable housing units needed for extremely low-income renters in the area. Young people who overcome homelessness struggle to find stable housing to maintain independence.
In Boston, only 46 units are available for every 100 households with extremely low income.
Affordable-For-Youth Housing
Affordable-for-youth housing is affordable and accessible housing for young adults. Building affordable-for-youth housing is a measure meant both to prevent youth homelessness, and to restore young people to the community in a sustainable way.
What is affordable-for-youth housing?
Affordable-for-youth housing is designed specifically to meet the needs of young adults who are just beginning their careers. This housing provides:
- Safe, independent living space with minimal support services.
- Affordable rents, capped at 33% of the resident's income.
- A community-focused environment, fostering a sense of belonging and responsibility.
- Dignified spaces that allow youth to thrive and focus on personal growth.
- No enforced term limit but an expected duration of three to five years.
Your Role with Covenant House
With your support, we can offer housing solutions and help young people build sustainable futures, ensuring that their experience with homelessness is rare, brief, and nonrecurring.
Why Your Support Matters
As we grow our presence in Boston, we are asking corporate leaders and community partners to join our mission by:
- Fundraising to support the building of affordable housing units.
- Engaging local corporate and community partners to expand resources for youth in Boston.
- Serving on our Catalyst Committee to help guide this important initiative.
Our Track Record: Proven Success
We have a proven track record of success in helping young people overcome homelessness and are committed to bringing this same success to Boston with the support of leaders like you. We are making this commitment knowing that the resources devoted to ending youth homelessness in Boston must grow exponentially and that the work of community organizations that have been serving Boston's young people must only be enhanced and supported, not harmed in any way.
of youth exiting our transitional living programs can secure stable housing
are employed or enrolled in school after leaving our programs
of young people who experience homelessness do so more than once. This builds a case for why we need housing.
Get Involved Today
The opportunity to be part of something transformative is here. Covenant House needs visionary leaders like you to help us expand affordable housing solutions for young people in Boston.
Contact Our Relationship Manager
Schedule a meeting today to discuss how you can get involved.
Join the Catalyst Committee
Help us guide this effort and make a lasting impact in Boston.
Fundraise with Sleep Out
Help raise funds by hosting or participating in our Sleep Out.
Contact Amy Leco
Amy Leco is our new Manager of Key Relationships. A native to Massachusetts, Amy has spent much of her professional career working in Boston and the surrounding area. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Statistics and a Master's in Nonprofit Management, blending her analytical expertise with a deep passion for philanthropy. With more than twenty years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, Amy has dedicated herself to building meaningful, lasting relationships with donors.
Amy is particularly passionate about addressing youth homelessness, and she is committed to helping youth reach their full potential. Amy's dedication and experience will make a profound impact as we work together to create a brighter future for youth in need.
To join the Catalyst committee, donate, or for general questions regarding our Boston initiative:
Email: aleco@covenanthouse.org
Catalyst Committee
The Covenant House Catalyst Committee is comprised of executives and community leaders who are helping to strategize and guide our affordable-for-youth housing project and our insertion in Boston’s continuum of care for homeless youth. The committee will support media opportunities, citywide initiatives, and in-person gatherings.
Desired Catalyst Committee composition:
- Covenant House board members
- People with lived experience of homelessness
- Business leaders
- Leaders of the philanthropic community
- Representatives of faith communities
- Experts in housing, public policy, and nonprofit operations
David Hegarty
Committee Member
Patrick Morrissey
Committee Member