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: 25 in 2025

Covenant House is introducing 100 new affordable-for-youth housing units in Boston, breaking ground on the first 25 units in 2025. 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.

Why affordable-for-youth housing?

A Vision for Change at Covenant House for Boston
The Need

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 117,411 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.

Help provide housing solutions in Boston?

The Housing Crisis in Boston
Our Solution

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.

 

What is affordable-for-youth housing?
The Opportunity

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 expand into Boston, we are asking corporate leaders and community partners to join our mission by:

  • Serving on our exploratory committee to help guide this important initiative.
  • Fundraising to support the building of affordable housing units.
  • Engaging local corporate partners to expand resources for youth in Boston.


 

Join our exploratory committee.

former homeless teen girls hugging | Covenant House - Donate Now to help homeless youth

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.

73%

of youth exiting our transitional living programs can secure stable housing

69%

are employed or enrolled in school after leaving our programs

42%

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 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 exploratory committee, donate, or for general questions regarding our Boston initiative:

Email: aleco@covenanthouse.org

Contact Amy Leco at Covenant House

Frequently Asked Questions