HRI knows that affordable homes are a precious resource for our residents. Our community engagement coordinators meet with residents at risk of housing instability to access short-term resources such as emergency rental assistance or mediation services. Coordinators then shift to create connections with long-term supportive programs and services such as case management, financial counseling, and job training to address factors that contributed to the resident’s risk of eviction.

HRI residents deserve access to quality employment, stable finances, and assistance in navigating applications for public benefits. HRI’s Community Engagement Coordinators (CECs) work with residents to complete an economic resiliency screening process that identifies opportunities for employment, job training, financial planning, or eligibility for assistance programs such as SNAP or MassHealth.

Following the initial screening, residents can work with HRI’s CECs to develop a personalized economic resiliency plan. Community coordinators help complete benefit applications and facilitate a warm handoff to local service providers. Coordinators follow up with residents to help address any barriers to success and to celebrate each step that residents take toward their financial and employment goals.

HRI’s health and wellness initiatives meet the social and physical health needs of our residents. Each year, our team distributes nearly 100,000 pounds of groceries that include meat, fish, dairy, shelf-stable items, fruits, and vegetables at five pantries across Cambridge. With local food security partner agencies, we run market-style events, distribute boxes to homebound households, and offer food choices that reflect the cultural needs and tastes of our residents.

Older adults are a vibrant and vital part of HRI’s community and HRI owns several buildings with large concentrations of older adults. We work with our property management company, local service providers, and the resident’s own support system so that elders who wish to can have age safely in their homes. Programs for older adults include exercise classes, on-site flu and COVID vaccine clinics, community meals, and chamber music concerts. HRI works closely with Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, the PACE program, and the Cambridge Council on Aging to provide information and referrals for in-home care and local resources for older adults.

It does take a village! Young people need the support of their community to thrive. HRI has developed partnerships with Tutoring Plus, Steadfast Solutions, and others to provide free one-on-one tutoring, computer classes, access to college planning assistance, after-school and summer programs. HRI also offers free literacy programs, distributes school supplies at the beginning of the school year, and runs family-friendly events for young people across our housing portfolio throughout the year.

Since 2006, HRI has distributed approximately $1.7 million in scholarships for college, community college, and professional certificate programs through the Peter Daly Scholarship Fund. Any HRI resident, regardless of age, attending an accredited institution may apply for a scholarship. Awards range from $500 to $5,000 per year. These funds have supported hundreds of students, including many who are the first generation in their families to attend college.

Through our partner organizations, HRI offers free student loan workshops and FAFSA application assistance. HRI posts information about scholarship applications and financial aid workshops on our social media pages, including Instagram and Facebook.