Peabody Properties, an affiliate of the Peabody Companies, a group of award-winning property management and real estate firms now celebrating its 48th anniversary, has been named one of three property management firms to participate in the Rapid Housing Initiative launched by Metro Housing Boston.
The goal of the first-of-its-kind program is to assist individuals and families who have lived in a shelter or hotel environment for more than 18 months to move out of the state’s shelter system into appropriate permanent housing situations. Metro Housing Boston is a nonprofit agency that administers federal rental vouchers which cover a significant portion of rent on the private market, but many landlords do not accept the vouchers.
When approached by Metro Housing Boston, Peabody Properties CEO and Principal Melissa Fish-Crane immediately agreed to participate in the inaugural program.
“We recognize the challenges faced by those who are looking for permanent housing but are unable to afford suitable apartments,” said Fish-Crane. “We welcome the opportunity to take part in this initiative with the hope that our participation helps to widen the availability of affordable rentals for those who need it the most.”
Peabody Properties is presently working in partnership with Metro Housing Boston by providing weekly updates of available market-rate apartments that do not have a wait list. Units that are expected to open up over the next 60 days are also identified.
Heather Calcagni, director of revenue management and marketing with Peabody Properties, then works with Metro Housing Boston to match the available apartments with individuals currently living in shelters. She sets up tours, assists with the application process and associated paperwork to expedite applicants’ entry into their new homes.
The Rapid Housing Program also includes assistance in job searches, financial planning, and additional supportive services – areas that Peabody Properties has built a solid reputation upon with its long-established Resident Services Program.
“Our Resident Services Program is one of the reasons we were asked to participate in this program,” said Calcagni, noting that in the first few weeks of the initiative, Peabody Properties has already housed several individuals, including a mother and her two children who previously lived in a shelter in downtown Boston but now make their home in a three-bedroom apartment in Gloucester.
About The Peabody Companies
Headquartered at 536 Granite Street, Braintree, Massachusetts, The Peabody Companies and its affiliates – Peabody Properties, Peabody Resident Services, Peabody Supportive Housing, Peabody Real Estate, and Peabody Miami – represent a legacy of excellence in the real estate sector. Founded in 1976 and led by Karen Fish-Will and Melissa Fish-Crane, this full-service, award-winning real estate firm is an Accredited Management Organization (AMO) that oversees more than 14,650 housing units across New England, with additional properties in New Jersey and Florida.
Peabody Properties, a cornerstone of the group, specializes in property management, demonstrating a remarkable blend of quality service and expertise. Peabody Resident Services, a unique arm of the company, underscores a deep commitment to enhancing resident experiences by focusing exclusively on developing supportive services and programs for affordable housing communities.
As a Women Business Enterprise (WBE), certified by the Massachusetts State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance (SOMWBA), The Peabody Companies has been recognized for its dedication to diversity and inclusion. This commitment is further evidenced by their ranking on the 2023 National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) Affordable 100 List and their repeated recognition as a Top Place to Work by The Boston Globe in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2023.
Discover more about The Peabody Companies’ impactful real estate journey and community-driven initiatives at http://www.wearepeabody.com Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagr
