Boston Warm branches out with BostonHome Interfaith Collaborative

Boston Warm was born as an interfaith collaboration of many houses of worship, including Old South Church, in response to a disastrous winter. It has since evolved to become an ongoing ministry of common cathedral, one of Old South Church’s most important partners in ministry with and among unhoused people in Boston. Today, a branch of Boston Warm, the BostonHome Interfaith Collaborative, is working directly alongside the City of Boston, assisting with Mayor Walsh’s plan to end chronic individual homelessness. The collaborative has already assisted with a so-called “housing surge”, an event which gathered service providers from across the city and Commonwealth. (Read City and State team up to house chronically homeless elders via the City of Boston, 7/29/16.)

On a single powerful day, many people eligible for housing overcame the significant logistical barriers that delay the housing process. The goal of a "housing surge" is for a person who wakes up in a shelter to end their day with a voucher for an apartment of their own. But getting a voucher is just a beginning. The collaborative has also partnered with individuals to help with their move and provide furniture.

This story is just one of the ways that the interfaith coalition that started Boston Warm almost two years ago continues to minister with and among unhoused people.