Braintree, MA (May 21, 2024) – Peabody Properties, an affiliate of the Peabody Companies, a group of award-winning property management and real estate firms now celebrating its 48th anniversary, has been named one of three property management firms to participate in the Rapid Housing Initiative launched by Metro Housing Boston.
The goal of the first-of-its-kind program is to assist individuals and families who have lived in a shelter or hotel environment for more than 18 months to move out of the state’s shelter system into appropriate permanent housing situations. Metro Housing Boston is a nonprofit agency that administers federal rental vouchers which cover a significant portion of rent on the private market, but many landlords do not accept the vouchers.
When approached by Metro Housing Boston, Peabody Properties CEO and Principal Melissa Fish-Crane immediately agreed to participate in the inaugural program.
“We recognize the challenges faced by those who are looking for permanent housing but are unable to afford suitable apartments,” said Fish-Crane. “We welcome the opportunity to take part in this initiative with the hope that our participation helps to widen the availability of affordable rentals for those who need it the most.”
Peabody Properties is presently working in partnership with MetroHousing | Boston by providing weekly updates of available market-rate apartments without a waitlist. Units expected to open up over the next 60 days are also identified.
Heather Calcagni, director of revenue management and marketing with Peabody Properties, then works with MetroHousing | Boston to match the available apartments with individuals currently living in shelters. She sets up tours, assists with the application process and associated paperwork to expedite applicants’ entry into their new homes.
The Rapid Housing Program also includes assistance in job searches, financial planning, and additional supportive services – areas that Peabody Properties has built a solid reputation upon with its long-established Resident Services Program.
“Our Resident Services Program is one of the reasons we were asked to participate in this program,” said Calcagni, noting that in the first few weeks of the initiative, Peabody Properties has already housed several individuals, including a mother and her two children who previously lived in a shelter in downtown Boston but now make their home in a three-bedroom apartment in Gloucester.
