Who We Are

Explore who we are and learn about our history, our leadership, and see how our advocacy and impact are driving real progress toward preventing and ending homelessness.

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Our History

1974

Cambridge Origins

A small group of Cambridge residents opened a one-room shelter, providing a bed and a meal to four men each night. Shelter, Inc. became the foundation of what would become Heading Home.
Shelter, Inc. opened the state’s first shelter dedicated to families experiencing homelessness, expanding its reach beyond individuals.
1983

A First for
Massachusetts:

1990s

Growing Beyond Shelter

From there, the agency evolved from emergency response to long-term solutions, combining housing with supportive services designed to help people achieve independence.
Shelter, Inc. was a pioneer in prioritizing permanent housing as the foundation of long-term stability.
Early 2000s

Leading Innovations:

2008

New Name, New Strategy:

The organization transitioned from Shelter Inc. to Heading Home, reflecting a shift toward permanent housing solutions as the core strategy to end homelessness.
Heading Home expanded its family shelter footprint through new partnerships with state housing leaders, increasing access to safe, stable housing.
2015

Expanding Impact:

2022

Strengthening Community Reach:

Former Casa Nueva Vida programs, families and staff became part of Heading Home, making the organization the largest provider of family shelter in Massachusetts.
What started as a single room has grown to one of Boston’s leading providers of emergency shelter, supportive housing and prevention, helping thousands of families and individuals each year experience the stability of home.
Today

Working Toward a Brighter Future:

Mission Drives Our Work

Mission Drives Our Work

Heading Home’s mission is to prevent and end homelessness in Massachusetts. Through personalized support and shelter, as well as larger advocacy and affordable housing work, we provide stability and foster the independence every family and individual needs to thrive.

Our Vision

Our Vision

We’ve seen how the stability of home changes the lives of our clients every day. That transformational impact is the driving force behind our work, across affordable housing initiatives, education, personal development, legislation, and more. Through these efforts we can continue to provide pathways to permanent housing in our communities, and the opportunity for our neighbors to thrive.

Leadership Team

Heading Home’s leadership team brings together decades of experience across human services, nonprofit management, and community-based systems. They guide the organization’s strategy, strengthen operations, and lead efforts to expand housing access, enhance services, and develop innovative solutions to prevent and end homelessness.

Meet our Leadership

Board of Directors

Comprised of leaders from across industries, the board brings diverse expertise, strong community ties, and a shared commitment to advancing housing stability and opportunity for individuals and families.

Meet our Board

Junior Board

A community of emerging leaders committed to expanding access to housing and building brighter futures.

Meet our Junior Board

Emeritus Board

Honoring the leaders who helped shape Heading Home and continue to support its future.

Meet our Emeritus Board

Our Impact

8,100
+

clients served across all support services

1,000
+

clients diverted from entering the shelter system

95
%

of clients remain stably housed

50
%+

of our clients are 18 years or younger

Advocacy Overview

We’re Pushing for Change

We advocate to advance policies and resources that protect rights, expand housing access, and create lasting pathways out of homelessness.

Our Partners

Together with our partners at every level, we’re working to prevent and end homelessness.
Learn more about how you can get involved.

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Communities We Serve

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