Our Families

Hildebrand’s vision is that every family has a home and in FY22, the organization’s talented staff worked with 328 families to help realize that vision. Through its emergency shelter, supportive programs, Stabilization Services, and permanent housing, over 1,000 individuals—600 are children—are no longer experiencing homelessness. These children and their parents are sheltered, healing, and building the resources to be self-sufficient.

Emergency Shelter And Supportive Services

Hildebrand provides 140 families with emergency shelter in Boston and Cambridge, with congregate, co-shelter, and scattered site living. Every family receives supportive services including case management, education and employment resources, housing search and benefits assistance, mental and physical health services, immigration support, and any other resources needed. Hildebrand also provides gifts, toys, clothing, personal items, and food resources to make sure that everyone is healthy, safe, and comfortable in their shelter situation.

Permanent Housing

Since 1988, Hildebrand has been at the forefront of the movement to end family homelessness by helping families achieve stability and selfsufficiency so they can leave shelter and move into their permanent homes. Hildebrand currently owns 22 affordable apartments in Boston and Cambridge.

Stabilization Services

Once families move out of shelter and into permanent homes, they continue to work with Hildebrand’s Stabilization Services team for two years to make sure they stay stably housed. The Stabilization Services program is designed to prevent the recurrence of homelessness. Over the course of the two years, the families and the Stabilization Services team work together to develop a plan to increase economic mobility and establish other personal and family goals. All stabilization families work toward long-term self-sufficiency while in their safe, affordable homes.

In FY22, Hildebrand staff and Board worked together to create a Strategic Plan that will shape the work of the organization for the next three years and beyond. The Strategic Plan will transform Hildebrand and its impact on families experiencing homelessness, while disrupting the systems that lead to it. The plan identifies four Strategic Directions, each with its own bold set of goals that will guide the growth and development of the organization into the future.

Strategic Directions Goals

1 2 3 4

Develop or acquire real estate for more affordable housing and to support organizational growth

1. Research possible models for the development of homes, services, and offices

2. Develop and/or acquire real estate

3. Build affordable housing

Bring about systems change to disrupt the cycle of homelessness

1. Build a public policy and advocacy agenda

2. Work to influence legislation

3. Change mindsets around causes and solutions to family homelessness

4. Create strong partnerships

1. Increase revenue

Build the capacity needed to grow the organization

2. Create a specialty shelter (e.g. for mental health focus, substance use disorders, immigrant populations)

3. Hire subject matter experts in key areas (real estate, law, health, etc.)

4. Ensure we have the workforce capacity to meet the growing needs of Hildebrand

Ensure access to resources for clients

1. Create training programs based on client needs/feedback

2. Provide or connect clients to affordable transportation

3. Launch social entrepreneurship/Hildebrand business

4. Provide a financial stability and asset building program (including home ownership)

Humphreys Street Celebration

The light showers and cold temperature in May could not deter Hildebrand from celebrating its newest affordable housing acquisition, 12 Humphreys Street, Dorchester. Despite the weather, it was terrific! Speeches from Sheila Dillon, Chief of the Mayor’s Office of Housing, and Sara Barcan from CEDAC inspired and reminded attendees of the importance and impact of Hildebrand’s vision that every family has a home.

Hildebrand And CHAPA Neighborhood Emergency Housing Support Program

Hildebrand partnered with the Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA), United Way, and The Boston Foundation for a six-month, state-wide pilot homelessness prevention program: the Neighborhood Emergency Housing Support Program (NEHS). The goal of the NEHS Program was to prevent unnecessary foreclosures, evictions, and homelessness in communities most impacted by the current health and economic crisis. Through Hildebrand’s community outreach and education activities, Boston residents became aware of financial assistance and other resources to help households with emergency housing payment assistance including rent, mortgage, and utility costs; these are clients who were currently housed but in danger of losing their housing and becoming homeless. The barriers most often faced by clients who sought this financial assistance were: they didn’t know about these programs and needed help with the applications; language; immigration; and lack of appropriate technology. Along with completing and submitting the applications for rent and utility assistance, Hildebrand provided help with additional supportive resources such as SNAP, legal services, and workforce development. Hildebrand is proud to have been a partner in this community-based eviction and homelessness prevention initiative and to have helped keep Boston residents safely housed and out of homeless shelters.

Another Family Moves Into Their Permanent Home!

We are so excited to share that yet another family that was in shelter with Hildebrand, at one of the congregate shelters in Cambridge, has gotten their Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) voucher and moved into their permanent home! And – more wonderful news for Hildebrand – the apartment they moved into is owned by Hildebrand. The family will now work with Hildebrand’s Stabilization Services team for the next two years to help them maintain their housing stability. The family has three sons who attend schools in Cambridge so by finding a permanent apartment in Cambridge, the children will continue their education without the stress and interruption of re-locating. Many thanks to the Cambridge Public Schools for helping this to happen also. The father was so happy that he literally jumped for joy!

Hildebrand Now Has An Office In Dorchester

Hildebrand has opened an office at 3 Groom Street, Dorchester to increase access and availability to the families in the Boston neighborhoods currently working with the organization.

Hildebrand Received The Cradles To Crayons

FY22 Chairman’s Council Impact Award!

Hildebrand received a wonderful recognition of its work from Cradles to Crayons: the 2022 Cradles to Crayons Chairman’s Council Impact Award. This national award recognized Hildebrand’s leadership, relentless advocacy, and holistic care for children and families experiencing homelessness. The award came with a $10,000 grant that helped provide additional items and space to Hildebrand’s Resource Center and enhanced resources for families in shelter. Cradles to Crayons hosted a national virtual event in June for the presentation of the Chairman’s Council Impact Award, with a presentation and conversation with Hildebrand’s CEO, Shiela Y. Moore and the Founder and CEO of Cradles to Crayons, Lynn Marghiero.