Cambridge resident Paul Fallon is bequeathing his four-family home to Just-A-Start to create affordable homeownership opportunities for local families. We're excited and grateful to share the story of his vision and generosity in The Boston Globe. Thank you, Paul!

“If we’re going to be serious about creating a more equitable world, then those of us who have more than we need have to spread our wealth. We can’t just talk about it.’’ - Paul Fallon

We're proud to make 17 new and updated apartments available for rental application! Our Squirrelwood Apartments community is located in the Port neighborhood of Cambridge, and studio, 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments are all available for rent at affordable rates.

The new apartments are built to Passive House standards, offering future residents lower utility costs and a comfortable, healthy living environment while benefiting our community with sustainable housing.

Applications are open until June 11 and will be selected in a lottery process. Please visit Squirrelwood’s homepage for complete information about eligibility and the application process.

We're thrilled to help launch Cambridge RISE, a guaranteed income pilot for Cambridge residents! Since January we've been working with the City of Cambridge and many funding partners to develop this new program to support local families. Starting in August, the pilot will provide $500 recurring monthly payments to 120 households for 18 months to help increase their financial stability.

The program is an important tool to address the growing economic divide and racial inequities in Cambridge. After launching our Safe & Secure Fund in 2020, we saw firsthand how transformative no-strings-attached financial assistance can be for families. Being able to rely on not just one-time assistance but sustained support will help families stabilize, plan, and have more agency over their future opportunities and decisions.

In the words of our Education & Training Director, Miriam Ortiz: "I am hopeful that guaranteed income can be the next step in not just stabilizing families but creating new opportunities for self-determination. I am so proud that we have the courage to trust families and think outside the box when it comes to economic empowerment!"

Two YouthBuild students met this month with Congresswoman Katherine Clark’s office to advocate for funding for youth programs. Ty, a current student, described how YouthBuild is more than a program – “they’re my second family,” he said. Brandon, a Just-A-Start YouthBuild alum, reflected on his personal growth and experience at YouthBuild. “I build myself and my maturity while building my community,” he shared.