At The Haven Project, we believe housing is the foundation for a brighter future — but we also know that securing housing is just the first step. Young adults facing homelessness need time, support, and structure to truly build sustainable lives.
That’s why we created a unique joint Transitional Housing–Rapid Rehousing Program, an intentional pathway that helps 18–24-year-olds move from crisis to stability at a pace that matches their real-world needs.
How the Program Works
Rental assistance is structured with a step-down model over two years:
Step 1: Transitional Housing at The Nest
Participants begin their journey at The Nest, our transitional housing program located in downtown Lynn. Residents live in one of eight fully furnished studio apartments for 3–12 months, depending on their readiness. During this time, they work closely with a case manager to stabilize, pursue education and employment goals, build financial literacy, and prepare for independent living.
Step 2: Transition to Rapid Rehousing
When participants are ready, they transition into their own apartment in the community through our Rapid Rehousing Program. This second phase provides financial assistance and ongoing case management designed to gradually support full independence.
Why We Built This Model
Our program was created in direct response to lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Emergency relief efforts provided young adults with temporary free rent — but without a structured plan, many struggled to sustain their housing once the support ended abruptly.
We realized that simply providing housing was not enough. Young people need stabilization, gradual transitions, skill-building, and realistic timelines to succeed long-term.
By combining transitional housing with a structured rapid rehousing phase, The Haven Project offers young adults a full support system to break the cycle of homelessness for good.
Funding and Collaboration
This transformative program was made possible through a $2.3 million grant awarded to The Haven Project through the federal Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP).
The YHDP grant was the result of a collaborative, youth-centered planning process that included:
- Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development (LHAND)
- The Youth Action Board (YAB) — a collaboration of young people with lived experience who led and informed the process
Youth voice and leadership were at the heart of this initiative, ensuring that the programs designed truly meet the real needs of young people in our community.
