News & Updates

One strong component of Urban Edge programs and services is the commitment to increasing economic resiliency within households, which in turn promotes greater stability within the larger community. 

In 2010, Urban Edge launched a new initiative: the Income Enhancement Program.  This project aims to maximize the income and grow the assets of low- and moderate-income households in affordable housing in Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, and Greater Boston, by addressing the underutilization of work supports and benefits that are available but unknown to many families of modest means who live in affordable housing.  Urban Edge staff utilizes a web-based platform and the latest screening software to work with households to increase awareness of eleven different benefits (e.g. fuel assistance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or the child care tax credit) and connect them to the appropriate supports.

In 2011/2012, Urban Edge is expanding upon this initiative with the Economic Resiliency (ER) Initiative, working to integrate asset building into work already being done in the community development field. The ER Initiative extends the reach of the Income Enhancement Program by partnering with affordable housing owners and housing agency service providers--targeting both residents in Urban Edge's service area, as well as low- and moderate-income families within the larger community.  Urban Edge collaborates with affordable housing owners and housing agency service providers to screen and connect low-wage families to work supports and other supports that contribute to asset development.