Home Improvement & Repairs

Urban Edge understands that being a homeowner is more than just buying the home. Maintenance and upkeep costs can be hard on a homeowner, especially with unexpected home repairs. Urban Edge offers referrals to HUD-approved participating lenders and agents (listed in alphabetical order):

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Center

Our VITA program 2024 has now ended. Thank you for a great year! 

About VITA

The VITA Center provides tax assistance and online filing of Federal and State returns for individuals and families. Volunteers who have completed IRS training provide individualized, one-on-one service on a walk-in basis. Clients are assisted with filing for all credits for which they qualify, including the Earned Income Tax Credit, Education Tax Credits, Child Tax Credits and Credits for the Elderly. Direct deposits of refunds and purchase of savings bonds can be arranged. If clients request, volunteers help them to better understand their credit in order to use refunds to meet financial goals. Low-income individuals will gain an average of 7.5% in income from tax returns and credits.

Required Documents:

1. Social Security Card; Individual Taxpayer ID Number (ITIN) for you, your children and or spouse.
2. Valid Picture ID required Proof of health insurance (Health insurance card(s), HC-1099, 1095-A, etc.)
3. All 2023 W-2 forms
4. All 1099 forms-1099G (unemployment) and 1099-R (pension payments)
5. All 1098T forms (tuition payments) and receipts for materials and books and proof of payment
6. Total student loan interest paid (1098E) and proof of payment
7. Total child care expenses in 2023, and name, address, Employer Identification Number (EIN) or SSN of child care provider(s)
8. Total rent paid in 2023
9. Any mail from the IRS
10. A copy of last year’s tax return
11. Your bank account and routing numbers to direct deposit your refund
12. Any mail from Massachusetts Department of Revenue

Family Supports

Urban Edge has a long history of supporting families by helping them gain access to resources that they might otherwise find beyond reach. The Urban Edge staff works closely with the residents living in its properties, so is keenly aware of residents’ needs. Each year, our staff collects donations from community members and other Urban Edge stakeholders and volunteers to provide for families in need. In 2020, 2,457 families received family support resources including back-to-school materials, winter coats, holiday gifts for children, personal protective equipment, Gift-cards and Thanksgiving turkeys. 

Housing Leadership

Urban Edge helps resident associations design and implement programs that improve the quality of life at their housing developments. Resident associations work on a daily basis with Urban Edge to oversee plans and projects and meet monthly with WinnResidential – the property management company involved with Urban Edge developments – to discuss any property management issues and potential resolutions. Resident associations assess and vote on budgets and establish programs for the upcoming year. They also meet regularly with security and other Urban Edge partners, including representatives of the Boston Police Department. Urban Edge staff works closely with each association to connect them to other organizations in the community with similar goals. Often, referrals from the resident associations elevate residents with the interest and potential to become effective leaders. Resident association members become familiar with those who live in their developments and often act as advocates for residents.

In 2020, 30 residents were engaged in community leadership opportunities.

Financial Counseling

Residents living in Urban Edge housing and clients visiting the VITA Center may ask at any time to receive individualized, one-on-one financial counseling in order to reduce their debt, improve their credit score, or just learn how to create and maintain a household budget. Residents also learn the importance of saving and are encouraged to open a savings/checking account. At the VITA Center, anyone interested in having their credit report pulled is entitled to ongoing financial coaching regardless of where they live.

Residents of Urban Edge can also receive these services through our own Community Engagement staff. If a resident is interested in ongoing financial coaching, their credit reports are pulled every six months; discrepancies on the report are the cue to begin the process of rectifying the report, which begins by getting the information validated and updated.  In 2020, 44 households were counseled on family financial literacy and budgeting.