What

We Do

Our Goals

GOAL 1

Identify policy, systems, population, and place-based approaches that address displacement and increase housing stability for individuals, families, and communities.

GOAL 2

Fund these approaches through an inclusive, resident-led participatory grant process that centers community voice and power.

The Housing Crisis

The Problem

Redlining, exclusionary zoning, racial and ethnic segregation, and housing and mortgage discrimination have historically negatively impacted People of Color. Skyrocketing rents, high cost of living, and increased construction of luxury apartments are just a few of the reasons Boston is one of the most expensive cities in which to live in the U.S.

  • 51% of renter households in Boston are cost-burdened

  • In Boston vacancy rates are lower than other metropolitan areas. Homeowner vacancy rates are < 1% | Rental vacancy rates are ~2%

  • Massachusetts’ housing supply production rate is 50% lower than the national rate

Response

It will take a collective, strategic, multi-faceted, and innovative approach to tackle it. The Innovative Stable Housing Initiative ushered in a new paradigm for funding housing work with proven solutions. This initiative provided an opportunity for hospitals across the city to leverage dollars and align priorities to create more affordable and stable housing options for Boston residents. A prescription for stable housing can reduce hospital utilization, lower rates of emergency room visits, and support better management of chronic diseases. ISHI also allows for creative thinking and moving towards higher levels of engagement, not often seen in traditional funding.

Vision

ISHI ENVISIONS a Greater Boston where long-term, affordable, quality housing is a human right, universally available, and accessible to all, and those who have been most impacted by inequitable and oppressive systems are liberated and reaching higher levels of economic sufficiency and autonomy.

Values

We acknowledge and value:

  • as a mechanism of justice and opportunity for People of Color, Indigenous communities, and immigrants who have historically, systematically, and intentionally been excluded from systems due to racism, classism, and systems of white supremacy culture.

  • by honoring the diverse voices, shared history, lived experiences, unique perspectives, and wisdom of community members;

  • that respects and recognizes differences, leverages expertise, and is accountable to work towards a shared objective, measurable outcomes, and collective action;

  • between innovation and proven solutions, immediate and long-term investments, grassroots and larger community-based organizations, capacity building and project-based initiatives, as opportunities to invest in real systems change;

  • side by side with community members most impacted by displacement and systemic inequity, to use the collective power and privilege in our networks to create lasting impact that Is not extractive nor exploitative.

4-Pronged Approach

  • Centering Values: ISHI utilizes an equity framework that focuses on racism, classism, and other forms of marginalization as the root causes of housing instability.

  • Participatory Grantmaking: To achieve lasting impact, ISHI’s grantmaking approach addresses housing instability through multiple investment approaches that engage residents most impacted by the housing crisis.

  • Collaborative Learning: ISHI’s grantmaking structure forges communication between grantmakers and grantees to facilitate further engagement through committees and other collaborative spaces.

  • Multi-Level Approach: ISHI funds approaches at the individual and policy level of the housing

Flex  
Fund 

ISHI Flex Fund provides funding for emergency support services or other quick access resources for individuals and families to maintain or find stable housing. Many existing sources of emergency funds have eligibility restrictions and processes in place which create barriers for individuals and families facing displacement.

FLEX FUND GOALS

  • Reduce barriers to accessing emergency funds

  • Fill gaps not addressed by existing funding sources

  • Make funds available in an expedited manner

  • Identify policy or systems change opportunities

Upstream

Fund   

The Upstream Fund is an opportunity to amplify collective action and reduce barriers to accessing safe, healthy and stable housing through policy, systems and environmental change. This fund aims to invest in organizing and coalition building efforts that are geared towards advancing policy and systems change, within and across four areas of focus: anti-displacement; tenant protections; community control of land; and asset building.

UPSTREAM FUND GOALS

  • Organizing and capacity building to increase stability for housing insecure and homeless residents;

  • Efforts that are community driven and community-centered;

  • Collaboration among organizations or groups and across neighborhoods; that

  • Work towards advocacy for policy and systems change.