Housing as a Health Care Issue
ANNE BROMER joined the Boston Foundation’s community of donors five years ago when she opened a Donor Advised Fund. “In every way it’s been a plus for me,” she says, “but especially it’s helped me to focus my philanthropy.” With a strong background in affordable housing, today Anne supports programs that provide permanent housing. “After food, there is nothing more important than having a safe and secure place to sleep.” Her support has meant helping Boston Neighborhood Community Land Trust save two buildings for affordable housing. And, as a reflection of Anne’s deep commitment to the Women’s Lunch Place, helping to develop permanent housing for the homeless women served by that nonprofit. Recently, Anne has been working with her own primary care physician, Dr. MaryCatherine Arbour, MD, MPH, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital on emergency housing for patients. It began with a conversation between the two women about the hospital’s Housing Program, which works with patients to be sure they have safe housing when they leave the hospital. Anne thought it was a great idea.
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