Stories of Home - Housing Navigator MA

Stories of Home Quotes from real people using Housing Navigator Massachusetts

Representations of home submitted

by Stories of Home contributors

Stories of Home Quotes from real people using Housing Navigator Massachusetts JA N UA R Y 2 024

What does home mean to you? is my peace, my serenity.

“Home Home should be my one safe space in this world. Without a home, I can do nothing.

The base for life is our home.”

–Renter and chronically homeless survivor from Dorchester

“A place where the life starts.”

–Yelissa Batista

where peace and “Ajoyspace can exist, work and rest can be done, and loved ones can come over.”

–Anonymous

own place for my family, a roof “My over my head, warm shelter.”

–P from Southie

“Comfort and safety.”

–Lisa

clean and safe “Aresidence I can occupy and afford.”

–Homeless Worker, Brighton

of my own “Atoplace lay my head down in peace.”

Daniel Trainito, age 60

safe place, feels “Acomfortable.”

–Lisa Mcdonald, Danvers

where you are safe “Aandplace secure with the ones you love and hold near and dear to your heart.”

–From Florida to Boston (We just want a home of our own)

What does home mean to you? means to me having “Home loved ones all around you. Sharing each other’s day spending quality time with each other.”

–Anonymous

place where I feel “The safe and comfortable.”

–Alexa from Somerville

warmth, loving, “Sacred, cozy, place to live.”

–Anonymous

own place “My with my children.”

–Selena from Brockton, MA

“Peace and security.”

–Renter in Chesnut Hill

“A safe place to live.”

–Jessica Currie

family, security, “Everything, stability, and safety. It’s where we spend all of our time. It’s hugs. It’s a smell of cooking, it’s family.”

–Dawn from Merrimack Valley, North Shore

“Security.”

–Carla, Boston

“Everything.”

–Anonymous

because “Everything I want to have a roof over my kid’s head.”

–Emily Hache lolinga

What does home mean to you?

housing, “Stable warmth, safety.”

–MM in West End

and space of “Amyplace own with my name on the lease.”

–Paul T. on the North Shore

for me is my sanctuary “Home and my safe place.”

–Anonymous soon-to-be renter from Boston, MA

“Protección.”

–Anonymous

me it means the place “For of calm and peace.”

–Anonymous

What is your housing story now?

“

I live in a studio apartment that I accessed through an affordable housing lottery. I formerly lived in a shared house in Somerville. A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with celiac disease and was having great difficulty sharing a kitchen with my roommates, because the gluten cross-contamination made me sick.

I could not afford to move to a market-rate apartment alone. The City of Somerville Inclusionary Housing Program allowed me to obtain a home I can live in safely with my disability.”

–Alexa from Somerville

up, trying to find “Doubled affordable housing (on waitlists).”

–P from Southie

been living in a Sober home for “I5have 1/2 years, sharing a room with another guy. I moved here after 2 years on the streets because this was the only place I can afford the rent, $500.”

–Daniel Trainito, age 60

What is your housing story now?

“

I’m living on an attic without heater with my two little boys in a 1 bedroom place, where everything is broken, have 1 year without an stove and almost everything is broken there, because landlords is so rude and I feel afraid to report any repair is needed. I dream that my children and I, one day we have a decent place to live where we can bake cookies and don’t feel afraid about anything else.”

–Yelissa Batista

are currently in shelter and “We have been for over two years.

We finally found a unit that will rent to us and we will hopefully be moving soon.”

–Selena from Brockton, MA

“Living with Parents.”

–Jessica Currie

able to secure my “Was own home for myself and children.”

–Anonymous

in my parents owned condo; “Living I want my own place to have freedom to have my pets.”

–MM in West End

“

I just relocated here from Florida in August we have been homeless since our arrival. We are looking for housing in hopes that we will have a home really soon. We just want a place so we can be together.

I have 2 children, 21 and 19, we have never been separated so this has been so very hard. Especially because during the holidays.”

–From Florida to Boston (we just want a home of our own)

and Homeless “62diligently searching for affordable housing.”

–Paul T. on the North Shore

currently looking for an “I’m apartment that’s affordable so I can have a space of my own and enter my next chapter.”

–Anonymous

“

I am a 40 year old single woman with a Masters Degree and full time job as a Program Director for a nonprofit mental health agency and I live with my parents because I cannot afford rent in Massachusetts.”

–Anonymous

What is your housing story now?

“

Right now we are living in a Shelter with my 5 year old son, because we were displaced from our previous home with my family. We are living in the shelter waiting to be approved for a section 8 voucher or public housing. I am praying and trusting the Lord and I strongly believe that God will see us through.”

–Anonymous soon-to-be renter from Boston, MA

“

My housing story is we were asked to move due to renovations. So we couldn’t find a place right away until I looked and looked. I found Housing Navigator. It was a blessing to know that this app is there for people. We are happier than ever and love our home.”

–Anonymous

“

Actualmente no tengo un hogar estable y durante la pandemia lo tenía una vivienda con subsidio, pero por motivos de odio racial varias personas de mi comunidad se dieron la tarea de sacarme de cualquier forma incluso con discriminación de vivienda es una historia bastante fuerte de contar.”

–Anonymous

56 years old I’m currently homeless “I’m living in a car I live on crutches for the rest of my life I lost my hip I’m not eligible hip replacement. I tripped coming out of the car the other day.

Broke bone. I’m also currently living with congestive heart failure and I don’t think you think emergency help out there.”

–Dawn from Merrimack Valley, North Shore

at the end “Light of the tunnel.”

–Anonymous renter, Chesnut Hill

“

I was lucky enough to get an apartment in Dorchester. But less than 6 months in, the landlord was blackballed by all local housing authorities. He was stealing my electricity and had an illegal apartment. After 1 month my stove blew and he never fixed it. I also currently live without heat or hot water. It has been so incredibly tough.”

–Renter and chronically homeless survivor from Dorchester

“I’m looking for senior housing.”

–Anonymous

What would you like to see for Affordable Housing in Massachusetts? would hope to see more housing availability to “Ifamilies that are still out there struggling. It’s hard for a lot of families in need, and I hope that in the future more vouchers can be available to help.

High rent costs are just out of reach for single mothers or fathers. It’s not fair that a two bedroom apartment is $1,200-2,000. I pray every day.”

–Anonymous

availability “More based on income.”

–Homeless Worker, Brighton

“Real affordable rents.”

–Lisa Mcdonald, Danvers

waitlists, “Shorter easier process.”

–P from Southie

waitlist, more lotteries, “Shorter less credit checks.”

–MM in West End

“

Although my unit is “affordable,” because the rent is fixed, I pay 50% of my salary in rent each month. I hope to see the state’s affordable housing program receives more funds and move to a percentage model, so that I could pay the recommended 25% of my salary in rent and save money for the future.”

–Alexa from Somerville

percent increase in affordable “1000 housing. Massive buildings located in areas that are easily accessible to people and have thousands of income base rent or affordable housing.”

–Anonymous

that all people “Housing can afford without needing multiple streams of income.”

–From Florida to Boston (we just want a home of our own)

What would you like to see for Affordable Housing in Massachusetts?

“

Be more fast approving. Target those rich, luxury places and new construction projects, recycle and transform old buildings into new remodeling and please destroy old buildings and make new ones. Forget about old new England style. Let’s make Florida or NYC modern buildings.

I hate to say MA is so behind in new infrastructure. Please make me part of your leadership team. I really like the idea of your programs Affordability Inclusion.”

–Anonymous renter, Chesnut Hill

easy process “Just and more places.”

–Selena from Brockton, MA

estamos en proceso difíciles personas “Realmente que han vivido por más de 2 años son puestas en listas de espera aún teniendo niños pequeños porque el sistema de refugios no tienen espacios para las personas del estado de Massachusetts.”

–Anonymous

apartments available for “More homeless and low-income families.”

–Anonymous

need LITERAL affordable housing.

“We Not what is currently considered affordable housing. It’s insane how expensive the rates are and unattainable for the poor. Affordable housing right now is a fantasy world as we all know it’s not truly affordable. But I guess the poor don’t deserve a home according to Mass politicians.”

–Renter and chronically homeless survivor from Dorchester

“More diversity.”

–Anonymous

really would like to see “Ithat 1 or 2 of the utilities bill could be included in the rent.”

–Anonymous

What would you like to see for Affordable Housing in Massachusetts?

“

Please place I can live at a nice warm, living home for myself safety at least I hope someone will help me. I don’t think champs program is helpful at all. It’s so impersonal people don’t see my situation. I don’t know I live on crutches or that I don’t have a hip or heart issues. I don’t even know if these people read my application I don’t think there’s anything out there for emergency help.”

–Dawn from Merrimack Valley, North Shore

“To change for better.”

–Emily Hache lolinga

These reflections, collected in December, 2023, come from real people among the 30,000 using Housing Navigator Massachusetts every month to search for a place to call home. We share them with hopes we can honor their dignity, amplify their voices, and underscore their call for more housing.

housingnavigatorma.org