"After aging out of foster care, I was on my own for years,” recalls Jordan, one of Breaktime’s young adult Associates. “I worked hard at every job, but I was still figuring out where to sleep each night.” Jordan is one of many young people who have experienced hidden homelessness—a segment of society that may not be living on the streets but still lacks a place to call home, living without the security or peace that stable housing provides.
By 2019, Jordan secured temporary housing at a shelter, where he stayed for a year and a half. Yet, as his time at the shelter came to an end, Jordan faced overwhelming uncertainty about securing long-term housing. That is when he discovered Breaktime. Through our program, Jordan found a community, connections, and opportunities that set him on a path toward success. Today, Jordan has progressed to the third and final part of Breaktime’s program –Stable Orbit– after working as a receptionist at Trinity Church. This role symbolized a pivotal step toward financial stability.
"My job at Trinity [helped] me build my resume and set me up for success. Getting out of the fast-food industry was a big goal of mine that Breaktime helped me accomplish."
With his sights set on the future, Jordan now dreams of owning an RV, traveling the world, and selling his pottery along the way. Thanks to the support he has received, he is not only gaining financial independence but also envisioning a life where he can pursue his creative passions and lifelong dreams—without the constant worry of where he will sleep each night.
Jordan’s story reflects a broader trend we are witnessing in Greater Boston, where homelessness often remains hidden—young people couch surfing, sleeping in cars, or transitioning between temporary living situations. This form of homelessness, while less visible, is just as urgent and underscores the complexity of the issue.
Greater Boston presents a complex landscape when it comes to homelessness. While the city boasts a lower rate of chronic homelessness compared to national averages—9% in Greater Boston versus 22% nationally—it still grapples with a high overall rate of homelessness per capita. Boston is unique in that, among large U.S. cities, it has the second-highest total percentage of homelessness but the eighth-lowest rate of unsheltered homelessness, with only 6% of its homeless population living unsheltered compared to the national average of 40%. This highlights the effectiveness of Boston’s shelter system in providing immediate relief.
Despite this, our city’s high total homelessness rate—reflecting a broader problem beyond just unsheltered individuals—indicates that temporary solutions are not fully addressing the root causes of homelessness. The 27% increase in homelessness from 2022 to 2023, as reported, further emphasizes the inadequacy of short-term fixes in a rapidly evolving housing crisis. This increase is exacerbated by Greater Boston's significant housing challenges: a low housing vacancy rate and exorbitant rent prices, which limit affordable housing options for low-income residents.
This is where individuals like Jordan and many of our Associates fall into the cycle of hidden homelessness. In 2023, the rate of homelessness among youth under 18 was 58 per 10,000 and the rate for those aged 18 to 24 was 19 per 10,000. These figures highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions specifically designed to address the unique challenges faced by young people experiencing housing insecurity. Addressing hidden homelessness among youth requires not only immediate support but also comprehensive strategies to ensure long-term stability and self-sufficiency.
Programs tailored to young people, like those offered by Breaktime, play a vital role in addressing these challenges. Our program provides young adults with job opportunities, financial education, and support networks necessary for achieving lasting housing security. Our three-pronged approach—Launchpad, Liftoff, and Stable Orbit—curates an experience that empowers Associates with the resources and support needed to realize their fullest potential and build the life and career they envision. To achieve this, we invest in paying livable wages of $20 per hour, providing Liftoff job placements, and offering a “double match” savings program, allowing Associates to save up to $3,000 in savings in three months. These initiatives create substantial opportunities for asset building and economic stability. Our goal transcends short-term solutions like Section 8 housing; we are committed to supporting our Associates in reaching self-sufficiency. As Boston continues to tackle its homelessness crisis, integrating such long-term solutions alongside immediate relief efforts will be crucial for reducing overall homelessness rates and ensuring that more individuals, like Jordan, can secure stable, permanent housing.
References
- Commonwealth Beacon. (2024, September 17). Some hopeful signs amid daunting homeless challenge. Retrieved from https://commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/some-hopeful-signs-amid-daunting-homeless-challenge/
- Boston Indicators. (2024). Homelessness and housing. Retrieved from https://www.bostonindicators.org/reports/report-detail-pages/homelessness_and_housing