Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance

The Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance (MHSA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to ending homelessness in the Commonwealth through advocacy, education, housing and the implementation of result-driven programs. For almost 30 years, the work of MHSA has transformed the lives of many. Today, MHSA works in conjunction with almost 100 member agencies across Massachusetts to serve families, Veterans, youth and individuals experiencing homelessness through a variety of programs, like Home & Healthy for Good. Since 2006 this program has helped house 1,011 individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, 196 of them Veterans, and facilitate access to care to reduce their reliance on costly emergency services, saving the Commonwealth and estimate of $11,711 per tenant.

The significant success of Home & Healthy for Good made this program the recipient of the 2018 Hearst Health Prize for innovation in population health, and true testament of the dedication and great work of MHSA and its partners. Given the efficiency of Home & Healthy for Good, MHSA also spearheaded the design of the first Pay for Success program. PFS is the nation's first social innovation financing program dedicated to addressing chronic homelessness by using private sources. This model has helped house 729 individuals, providing them with a safe place of their own. MHSA’s work is based on the Housing-First model, understanding that housing is essential and transformative in order for an individual to address any additional challenge they have