who we are
Homeowner’s Rehab, Inc. (HRI) was founded in 1972 by a group of concerned residents who recognized the need to stabilize their community.
With an initial focus on homeownership, HRI strived to support mixed income communities, rich in ethnic and racial diversity. Since then, HRI has shifted its focus from homeownership to include rental properties as a means to create new opportunities for households that cannot compete in Cambridge’s housing market. HRI’s continuing mission is to provide safe, affordable, decent, and sustainable housing.
While HRI’s developments are typically mixed income, a significant majority of the units are rented at rates affordable to low- and moderate-income families. To date, HRI has developed over 1,500 units of housing, owns over 925 apartments, and owns more than 40,000 square feet of commercial space in Cambridge.
The Home Improvement Program (HIP) operated by HRI for over 31 years provides low-interest home improvement loans and technical assistance to homeowners in Cambridge who cannot afford to maintain their homes. Without the assistance of the HIP program, these homeowners would likely be forced to sell their deteriorating and unsafe homes and move out of their neighborhoods.
Since 1983, HRI has been closely affiliated with Cambridge Neighborhood Apartment Housing Services (CNAHS). CNAHS is a separate and independent non-profit housing organization that focuses on creating new and maintaining existing affordable rental housing. This goal is accomplished by developing new housing and providing below market loans to multi-family housing owners who are willing to keep their units affordable. For more information on CNAHS, please click here.