MassHousing Awards $10,000 in COVID-19 Relief Funding to Link House, Inc.

Link House Inc. was among the 30 non-profit providers of affordable sober housing to receive a grant from MassHousing to help ensure their financial stability and continued support and services to overcome addiction. The $10,000 grant was earmarked for the Women’s Independent Sober House (WISH) in Newburyport.

“We are so appreciative of this generous grant that will allow the women who are living in our Women’s Independent Sober House to continue on their journey of recovery in a safe and supportive environment during the pandemic. The grant will allow the women to feel a sense of security in this uncertain time,” says Gary Gastman, Link House, Inc. Executive Director.

The grants were awarded to non-profit affordable sober housing providers who had previously received financing from MassHousing, came from the Center for Community Recovery Innovations, Inc. (CCRI), a subsidiary corporation of MassHousing with a mission to increase, improve and support affordable sober housing for individuals and families in recovery in Massachusetts. The grants were considered and allocated on a case-by-case basis.

The non-profit sober housing providers have seen increased costs for food, supplies and cleaning. There have been added payroll expenses for overtime or additional staff to maintain the sober housing and services, as well as assisting residents in applying for available state and federal COVID-19-related benefits.

The availability of these CCRI grants will serve as bridge funding to keep sober homes operational and prevent residents from being displaced.

About Women’s Independent Sober House (WISH) 
Women’s Independent Sober House (WISH)  offers safe and affordable housing for 16 women to live in a supportive environment featuring an onsite House Manager and Assistant Manager and an opportunity to be part of a peer-guided community. WISH provides a safe place for women who are ready to move into independent living and develop empowerment skills to transition to mainstream society.