Cambridge Housing Authority acquired 16-18 Wendell Street in Summer 2024. This former college dormitory is now a Permanent Supportive Housing property providing 22 homes for people exiting homelessness. Permanent supportive housing (PSH) pairs long-term and affordable housing with robust supportive services designed to build independent living and tenancy skills, as well as connect those in need with community-based healthcare and employment services. These features of PSH offer people the foundation needed to maintain stable housing and pursue their goals. At 16-18 Wendell, these wraparound services are provided by three full-time case managers and a clinical director from experienced Massachusetts social services organization Eliot Community Human Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are questions we’ve heard from potential residents as well as neighbors and community members.
Q: When will residents start moving into 16-18 Wendell Street?
A: We hope to start lease up in early November before the cold months set in. The current date for initial occupancy is November 1, 2024.
Q: How do I become a resident?
A: Available rooms at 16-18 Wendell Street will be offered to people on the Cambridge Coordinated Access Network (C-CAN) waitlist. The C-CAN waitlist is a list of people experiencing homelessness who are interested in housing opportunities. If you are experiencing homelessness and would like to be added to this list, please contact the Coordinated Access Network at 617-349-7715 or cambridgeCAN@cambridgema.gov. You may also go in person to the Cambridge Multi-Service Center on the 1st floor of 362 Green Street in Cambridge during walk-in hours on Tuesday and Thursday from 1 PM to 4 PM.
Q: How much private versus shared space do residents have?
A: Residents have private bedrooms. The common room, kitchen, and bathrooms are shared. There is a daily fresh meals service offered onsite Monday through Friday (with options for additional meals on Friday to support weekend meal planning).
Q: What services will be offered onsite?
Eliot Community Human Services will provide three full-time employees and a clinical director officed out of 16-18 Wendell who will provide the following services:
- Meeting with each resident to develop a comprehensive needs assessment upon entry and quarterly thereafter. This assessment will inform the development of an Individual Services Plan (ISP), tailored to address the unique needs and goals of each resident. The ISP will focus on maximizing benefits and resources through MassHealth plans and community-based resources, ensuring that residents receive the support necessary to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency.
- Assisting residents in applying for various mainstream benefits, including but not limited to: SNAP Benefits, SSI and SSDI, and Community Support Program for Homeless Individuals (CSP-HI).
- Assisting residents in accessing the following health care services: Routine Check-ups and Preventive Care; Management of Chronic Conditions; Coordination with Specialists as Needed; Dental Care; PTSD Screening and Referral for Evidence-Based Treatment; Care Coordination with Health Care Providers; and Assessment for Higher-Level Care Due to Aging, Severe Illness, and/or Injury.
- Assisting residents in accessing substance abuse treatment when relevant, including Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and Initial Psychiatric/MAT Assessment.
- Providing a comprehensive range of services to support residents, including: Transportation Assistance, Food Pantries/Meal Delivery Services, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Home Health Aides, Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) Services, Community-Sponsored Reduced-Cost Utilities, and Furniture Banks.
Q: What is the guest policy at 16-18 Wendell and will there be quiet hours?
A: 7 PM to 8 AM will be quiet hours at the property. Guest are only permitted in the ground floor common areas. No guests are allowed onsite after 7PM or overnight.
Q: What is the pet policy?
A: Pets are not allowed, only service animals such as seeing eye dogs.
Q: What hours will the site be staffed and will there be security?
Eliot Community Human Services will be onsite Monday through Friday, from roughly 10 AM to 7 PM. CHA property management will also be onsite multiple times a week, Monday through Friday. Security will make rounds on the site throughout the night and on weekends.
Q: What is the smoking policy? Smoking is not allowed in the building or on neighbors’ property. Smoking is allowed in designated a smoking area in the back yard of 16-18 Wendell. A smoking shelter will be provided.
Q: Who will maintain the building, who will provide services, and who should be contracted for what?
Cambridge Housing Authority will maintain the building. Eliot Community Human Services will provide social services. The following are contact people for a variety of needs:
| Type of Question | Contact Person | Phone | |
| Property Management, Maintenance, or Leasing | John Brennan, Property Manager, Cambridge Housing Authority | 617-499-7179 | jbrennan@cambridge-housing.org |
| Planning or Funding | Maggie Weese, Project Manager, Cambridge Housing Authority | 410-598-7173 | mweese@cambridge-housing.org |
| Supportive Services | Natasha Vargas, Eliot Community Human Services | 781-483-2197 | nvargas@eliotchs.org |
| C-CAN Waitlist | Cambridge Coordinated Access Network | 617-349-7715 | cambridgeCAN@cambridgema.gov |
Please note that the direct line for all CHA staff can be found online at: cambridge-housing.org/about/directory