SUPPORTIVE HOUSING STORIES
Commonwealth Land Trust owns and manages over 250 units of supportive housing, serving formerly homeless and very low-income individuals. CLT practices a client-centered approach to service provision, recognizing that each of our residents has unique challenges and an important personal history. The five clients featured here –Russell, Paula, Kevin, Stephano, and Whitney– have overcome immense obstacles and display courage in sharing their stories.
To spread awareness of Commonwealth Land Trust’s resident stories, please download our CLT Stories Booklet.
RUSSELL’S STORY
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“I’ve had a hell of a life,” says Russell, a resident of Bowdoin Manor since 2007. “People don’t understand the things I’ve gone through. I lost a daughter and son in the last year- one from cancer and one to the streets. Sometimes I just go in my room and I sit down and cry.” more… |
PAULA’S STORY
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“Being in a shelter is something that you have to get used to,” says Paula, a 47-year-old resident of Commonwealth Land Trust. “You have to maintain your composure, take in a lot of things, and just hold up.” more… |
KEVIN’S STORY
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“I consider myself to be blessed. I was blessed when I got my diagnosis and I was blessed getting my room at Commonwealth Land Trust,” says Kevin, a 41-year-old Boston native who has lived in CLT’s Massachusetts Avenue property since 2007. more… |
STEPHANO’S STORY
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“I’ve been a hairdresser and makeup artist for almost 30 years,” says Stephano, a resident of Windsor House since 2010. “I do everything: haircuts, extensions, chemical highlights, and color. I love a change of image.” more… |
WHITNEY’S STORY
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“I woke up to do drugs and I went to sleep to do drugs,” says Whitney, a 42-year-old resident of Commonwealth Land Trust. “I used for a very long time. It just took over my life.” more… |
FAMILY HOUSING STORIES
Commonwealth Land Trust owns and manages over 100 apartments in Lower Roxbury and Chelsea, serving formerly homeless and low- to moderate-income families. Many residents have lived in CLT housing for decades, including Althea Niles, Richard Brown, and Sara Rosa, who share their stories here.
To spread awareness of Commonwealth Land Trust’s resident stories, please download our Stories of Hope booklet.
ALTHEA’S STORY
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Althea is surrounded by butterflies. They adorn her walls, rugs, vases, picture frames, and refrigerator. An 80-year-old lifelong resident of Lower Roxbury, Althea has been living in her butterfly-filled apartment for over 60 years. She was present when Commonwealth Land Trust (CLT) assumed management of the property in 1985 and is a valued member of the CLT community. more… |
MR. BROWN’S STORY
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“I’ve been living within a quarter mile radius of my home at 1059 Tremont Street nearly all of my life,” says Richard Brown, an 86-year-old educator and activist. He has served on CLT’s Board of Directors and chaired the Lower Roxbury Residents’ Association since CLT assumed management of the property in 1994. more… |
SARA’S STORY
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“When people have a nice place to live they are inspired to improve their community,” says Sara, a resident of CLT’s Lower Roxbury Apartments since 1996. “They are inspired to do better for themselves and their families.” more… |
