Just-A-Start Corporation

Real estate development - just a start has developed and continues to own and operate 621 affordable apartments throughout cambridge and somerville, housing approximately 1,500 people who would otherwise be unlikely to be able to afford apartments in these expensive and high-opportunity cities. We have an additional 250 new affordable apartments in our development pipeline, which we expect to develop in the coming 4-5 years. To make first-time homeownership a reality for households with moderate incomes, just a start has also developed 130 homeownership units. We also manage the preservation, rehab and resale of affordable units to ensure future access to affordable condominiums in cambridge for residents with moderate incomes.

Housing resources and services - just a start provides housing resources and services to its 1,500 residents and approximately 1,000 community members each year. Through financial assistance, mediation, and follow-up services, our housing stabilization program allows families threatened with homelessness to remain in their homes or helps them find new affordable housing. Our economic mobility programs provide financial education, one-on-one coaching, and free tax services to people with low incomes seeking to improve their financial status and prospects.

Education and training - just a start's education and training programs provide tuition-free pathways to careers in the region's growing employment sectors. Our adult training program, career connect, is an intensive, nine-month education and training program for adults with low incomes to develop the knowledge and critical problem-solving skills needed to enter family-sustaining and fulfilling careers in the growing biomedical and information technology (it) fields. Approximately 85% of graduates of the program gain employment within 6-12 months of graduation and increase their annual income by an average of $20,000. Another pillar of just a start's education and training programs is youthbuild, which annually provides comprehensive youth development services to approximately 64 out-of-school youth between the ages of 16 and 24. Students receive education and training that leads to a high school credential, construction or retail industry credentials, career exploration, and employment.