Sometimes, it’s not a major crisis that threatens a family’s housing – it’s a broken pipe, a failed heating system, or simply falling a few thousand dollars short at the wrong moment. At Urban Edge, we’ve seen how quickly these small obstacles can create a cascading effect, pushing families to the brink of losing their homes.
This year, with critical support from Wells Fargo, we are able to launch a targeted, high-impact initiative: the Home Repair Assistance Program. This fund provides urgent, essential repairs that help low and moderate-income homeowners or homebuyers remain safe, stable, and securely housed.
Already, the program has supported households in crisis. One homeowner was just $2,000 short of avoiding foreclosure — until a small grant allowed her to reinstate her mortgage and unlock insurance funds for essential repairs. Another family with school-age children had endured two winters without adequate heat due to plumbing issues, which the program helped resolve. In both cases, a modest investment prevented displacement, addressed critical safety concerns, and helped preserve housing.
With our support and the backing of partners like Wells Fargo, additional funds have been leveraged from the City of Boston, MassHousing, and an individual donor who has contributed to the fund.
We expect to distribute up to nine of these grants before the fund is fully expended—each one a meaningful intervention that stabilizes a family, protects a home, and strengthens the neighborhood.
