On one of the coldest nights of winter, hundreds of people will walk or drive every street, alley, and park across Massachusetts' cities, surveying every known site where their neighbors take shelter. Their purpose is to conduct the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count, a census of people experiencing homelessness. We count because every community member matters.  

This year, many are conducting the count amid unprecedented misunderstandings about homelessness—fueled by media portrayals, camping bans, resistance to housing initiatives, and contentious debates around the use of hotels as shelter, which continue to pose significant barriers to resolving the crisis. 

Takeaways from the 2024 National Point-in-Time Count Data on Homelessness, conducted on a single night in January 2024, reveal a complex picture. Homelessness rose by 18% overall, though there’s hope: veteran homelessness decreased by 8%, showing that robust and coordinated investments in affordable housing and services can – and are- helping reduce homelessness for veterans, and can work with other populations as well. Despite limited funding, communities are connecting more people to resources. However, first-time homelessness continues to outpace exits to permanent housing. The most urgent concern is the nearly 33% increase in children without a home—36,000 more kids lacked stable housing in 2024—underscoring the critical need for stronger support for vulnerable families.  

The growing rates underscore the urgency of implementing solutions to homelessness. Together, we can challenge stigma, dispel misinformation, and leverage the data to scale our investments in our neighbors who have the most to gain from a home – our neighbors experiencing homelessness.  

This year’s Point-in-Time (PIT) count is more important than ever, not just as a tool for understanding the prevalence of homelessness, but as a reminder that data alone isn’t enough. We must hear from those who have lived through homelessness. Their insights can guide us in moving forward with both empathy and action, showing us what “having housing” truly means and how it restores dignity.  

Stable housing brings benefits that ripple across every part of life. That’s why we’re shifting the focus from numbers to the tangible, human impact of housing. To illustrate this, we’ll share five real-life stories of individuals and families whose lives were transformed by stable housing. These stories come from participants in programs run by some of our New Way Forward partners, highlighting actionable solutions to homelessness that can make a real difference.  

For Alba, securing housing was the key to reuniting her family and rebuilding their lives together. In 2017, after nearly two years of incarceration —stemming from tough choices made while caught between poverty and survival— Alba faced the challenge of reestablishing her family unit. Her children had been separated, and she faced the painful loss of her mother, who had been caring for her oldest daughter. Reuniting her family seemed like an uphill battle, and without a stable place to live, Alba risked losing her youngest daughter as well. Through Justice 4 Housing (J4H) and its Housing First model, which prioritizes stable housing for successful reintegration, Alba secured a Section 8 voucher and found a safe, stable home. J4H's support empowered her to regain her footing and pursue a career as a community health worker, giving back to her community. For the first time in years, Alba had a place to call her own, where her children each had their own room, offering the security they needed to heal and strengthen their family bond. 

A stable home is essential for family reunification and long-term stability, especially for formerly incarcerated individuals. For families like Alba’s, housing is more than just a roof—it’s the foundation for healing, rebuilding, and breaking the cycle of incarceration. We must prioritize housing interventions that offer stability and wraparound support, ensuring formerly incarcerated individuals can reunite with their families, regain stability, and thrive. 

Alba- Justice For Housing (J4H) participant.

For Vanessa, stable housing is more than just a roof over her head, it’s having the key to her own place, a lease with her name on it, and the freedom to come and go as she pleases. In 2009, at just 19 years old, she confronted her mother about alcohol abuse, leading to a fallout that forced her out of her home. This act of courage set off a chain of challenges related to housing instability and survival. Over the next 13 years, she endured the emotional strain of living in cars, shelters, and on the sofas of friends and relatives, while juggling multiple jobs to stay afloat. The constant uncertainty and the burden of adapting to others' households took a toll on her mental health, but her resilience never wavered. Despite these hardships, Vanessa earned a degree in Media and Communications from Temple University in 2014 and now lives in a Single Room Occupancy unit at the YWCA, marking the end of her homelessness in 2022. Additionally, Vanessa is a member of the Community Action Hub, co-led by The Institute for Community Health (ICH) and United Way, continuing her commitment to creating change and stability for others. 

Single Room Occupancy units highlight how having a permanent place to call home restores dignity, fosters self-sufficiency, and empowers individuals like Vanessa to make life choices, reclaim their lives, pursue education, and prioritize health. Housing is the foundation for all other pursuits—without it, people remain trapped in instability. 

Vanessa-member of the Community Action Hub, co-led by The Institute for Community Health (ICH) and United Way of Mass Bay.

For Karian, having a home of her own was the turning point that allowed her to recover from postpartum depression and create a stable future for her family. As a single mom of two living in New York, she struggled with housing instability and mental health challenges after the birth of her daughter, Anais. Seeking help, Karian moved to Boston to be closer to her mother, where she received care but couldn’t stay in her mother’s home long-term. In 2023, Karian connected with Horizons for Homeless Children. Anais was enrolled in the early education center, and Karian was paired with Family Advocate Teresa Harris, who helped her navigate the system. With Teresa’s guidance, Karian quickly received a Section 8 voucher and moved into her own apartment within two months. She also earned her GED and completed a culinary training program, opening the door to new career opportunities. Today, Karian works as a cafeteria manager with Boston Public Schools. Inspired by her love of cooking and the recipes she learned from her grandmother, Karian is working toward opening her own Puerto Rican restaurant. Meanwhile, Anais has thrived in early education, overcoming a speech delay. 

Providing stable housing combined with early education, mental health support, and career development for both parents and children simultaneously is critical for families like Karian and Anais to overcome generational disparities and build lasting stability.  

Karian- Horizons for Homeless Children participant.

For Pablo, having housing means opportunity to focus on personal growth, education, and career development. After experiencing homelessness and the devastating loss of his daughter, Pablo felt empty and lost, disconnected from the world around him. When he found The Haven Project through a church, he was given the support he needed to secure emergency housing, access health services, and enroll in their Job Training Program. Pablo gained the motivation to study again, something he thought was no longer possible. He recently graduated from the MassStep IT certification program and secured a full-time job. Today, Pablo enjoys stable housing, works in the IT department at North Shore Community College, and is planning to pursue an associate's degree. With newfound hope, Pablo is not only building a career but also striving to be the best version of himself, helping others along the way. 

We must connect housing solutions to educational and career opportunities. Without immediate access to both housing and education/skills development, people like Pablo will continue to face barriers to economic mobility, keeping them trapped in homelessness. 

Pablo- The Haven Project participant.

For Devon McNeil, also known as "Victory," stable housing was the key to unlocking emotional healing and personal redemption. Released in 2018, after spending two decades behind bars, Devon struggled with starting over without a stable home and support system to recover from the emotional and psychological scars of his past. Justice for Housing (J4H) provided more than shelter—it gave him the security and tools to rebuild his life from the inside out. He gained the space to focus on his mental health, reconnect with his children, and pursue meaningful work.   

Now, as a part-time worker at the Fields Corner Business Lab and the founder of Not On My Watch Mentoring, he pays it forward by teaching trade skills to inner-city youth and sharing his story through his book The Streets Lied and We Believed.  

Housing-first strategies must pair stable housing with mental health support, ensuring that individuals like Devon can heal and overcome trauma. Housing alone is not enough; it must be part of a comprehensive approach to healing. 

Devon- Justice For Housing (J4H) participant.

These five stories show that addressing homelessness cannot be delayed. Homelessness impacts families, mental health, personal freedom, and economic opportunity in profound ways. The time to act is now—every day without action deepens the hardships of those experiencing homelessness. This year, let’s do more than count: let’s connect, uplift, and advocate. Together, we can create a future where everyone has a place to call home