Re-Entry Transitional Housing Initiative
At UTEC, we believe stable housing is a fundamental right. Safe and secure housing provides a foundation for individuals to pursue their goals and build brighter futures. We understand that the housing needs of emerging young adults are unique, and our approach aligns with our justice-driven values to ensure equitable, creative solutions for achieving long-term housing stability.
About the Initiative
UTEC’s mission is to help young people trade violence and poverty for social and economic success. As part of this commitment, our Re-Entry Transitional Housing Initiative provides transitional housing to 25 young adults (ages 17-25) in scattered-site rentals.
Key funding from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) will support rental assistance, security deposits, utilities, emergency housing, brokerage fees, and landlord incentives. UTEC is actively pursuing additional funding to sustain this initiative and its operations.
How It Works
- UTEC will lease directly from landlords to provide transitional housing for 25 young adults returning from incarceration.
- Housing will be provided for up to 1 year for each young adult in scattered-site rentals primarily in Lowell, Lawrence, and Haverhill.
- Through initial state funding and ongoing fundraising efforts, UTEC will pay 100% of rent, security deposits, utilities, and other housing costs.
- To overcome the difficulty of finding apartments, UTEC will offer landlord incentives through a rent premium and renovation allowance.
- Young adults will be required to pay up to 30% of their income, which UTEC will hold in an escrow savings account to help prepare them for permanent housing.
Services & Supports for Young Adults
Participants in the housing initiative also benefit from UTEC’s comprehensive wraparound services, all at no cost:
- 1:1 support from a transitional coach.
- Mental health counseling.
- Workforce development programs.
- Educational and life-skills training opportunities.
These resources help ensure that young adults not only have a place to live but also the tools and support they need to build a sustainable future.
Landlords Wanted!
By partnering with UTEC on our new Transitional Housing Program, landlords play a crucial role in providing safe, stable housing for young adults on their path to independence. Together, we can create opportunities that break cycles of poverty and foster brighter futures.
Landlord benefits include:
Guaranteed rent. UTEC will cover 100% of rent payments and deposits.
Long-term leases. UTEC is open to longer-term leases, providing predictable income and reducing the frequency of lease renewals and finding new tenants.
Ongoing support. UTEC’s Housing Director and Manager oversee each unit, provide regular check-ins, and act as liaisons between landlords and residents as needed.
Other Ways to Partner with Us
- Donate furniture for a young adult’s new home
- Fund a young adult’s rent for a period of time
- Provide moving or storage services.
For information on the program or to find out how you can
partner with us as a landlord or otherwise, contact:
Santos Irizarry, Director of Housing
[email protected]
(508) 936-3673
Contribute to UTEC’s Housing Fund
Help us provide a safe, stable place to call home. Your generosity helps build futures—and homes—for young adults ready to rewrite their stories.