Affordable Housing and Services Collaborative, Inc.

CONTACT:

536 Granite Street
Braintree, MA 02184
781-794-1000
website

Doreen Bushashia, President

DESCRIPTION:

The Affordable Housing and Services Collaborative was established in 2001 to serve residents of housing units managed by Peabody Properties, Inc. (PPI), a family-owned business specializing in affordable housing management and—their distinctive feature—resident services. Frail elders, younger adults with disabilities, and others with special challenges are supported by the services so they can live in their own homes. AHSC was separately incorporated to gain access to philanthropic funding and collaborations with other charities, enabling services that could not otherwise be provided. This model, combining a for-profit affordable housing manager with philanthropic services in collaboration with community organizations, is a solid contribution—extending affordable housing to populations at greater risk of homelessness, and providing another example of the false dichotomy in philanthropy of the IRS’ for-profit/non-profit categorization. AHSC assists at least 2500 households with a wide range of services—including teaching computer skills to adolescents, neighborhood beautification, substance-abuse programs, after-school drop-in centers, and many others. By purchasing new units and rehabilitating others, in seven years it has created six housing developments with 632 units, including one for people with HIV/AIDS and an assisted living facility. In these challenging times, this is a very promising model for you to support.

(2008: HUMAN SERVICES)