The Community Housing Assistance Fund (CHAF) was founded by a coalition of community banks and local realtors working with HomeStart in order to provide emergency assistance to end and prevent homelessness for our neighbors in need across Cambridge and Boston. Through the years, CHAF has supported the homeless community as follows:
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Helped over 2,500 Cambridge and Boston households to avoid homelessness or move out of homelessness by paying expenses related to rental housing startup costs (first and last month’s rent, security deposits, moving costs and rental fees)
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Saved cities millions in tax dollars, given that it costs >$30,000/year to house a family in an emergency shelter
The Community Housing Assistance Fund (CHAF) is a restricted emergency assistance fund of HomeStart. All donations are processed through HomeStart, Inc. - a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (EIN: 04-3311270) and are fully tax-deductible. Additionally, checks or Donor Advised Fund Gifts can be send to HomeStart, (noting a designation for "CHAF") and will be added to the campaign page offline. Checks can be mailed to: CHAF/HomeStart - 105 Chauncy Street, Suite 502, Boston, MA 02111. Please email neff@homestart.org if you need assistance making your gift.