Emergency Financial Housing Assistance Funds

Are you facing housing instability? Funds are available for rent, mortgage, and utility payments for eligible households.

News

Read about our developments, our clients, and more.

Homeownership & Financial Education

Way Finders helps people improve their finances and purchase their first home. Our housing counselors help every step of the way.

Support our mission

Making a gift to Way Finders supports hundreds of families working towards stable housing, employment, and a bright future.

Support us.

With your help, Way Finders can provide the tools and guidance our neighbors need to avoid homelessness and live their best lives.

View our FY22 Annual Report.

To build and advocate for a thriving, equitable region? We help neighbors, transform communities, and reimagine trajectories.

Buying a home is a big step.

Way Finders is here to help first time homebuyers through the process, every step of the way.

Employment Support

Way Finders is an approved provider of programs that combine housing and employment services. The good news is these programs are easily and readily available. Thanks to these programs hundreds of people have more stable housing and jobs.

Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT)

The RAFT Program is a homelessness prevention program funded by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC). RAFT provides short-term financial assistance to low-income families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

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Latest News

Advocating for Legislation: Housing Bond Bill priorities of the Western Massachusetts Housing Coalition

Motels have long had the right idea: A brightly illuminated “Vacancy” or “NO Vacancy” sign immediately lets travelers know if there’s rest within reach or miles to go before they sleep. But when an entire region has “NO Vacancy”? When demand for housing greatly exceeds supply in every city and town? Things are not clear. There’s no glowing sign. There’s just struggle after struggle, as we see each day, among those who want to stay. Who don’t want to hit the road and relocate. But who can’t find affordable housing. The only way forward? Build our way forward. The upcoming Housing Bond Bill can help us do just that. more >>

Raise your hand if you can be counted on: Introducing resident leader Marta Alvarez

Introducing Board member Marta Alvarez, a resident of Way Finders’ Olympia Oaks community in Amherst since it opened in 2014. In 2018, when Way Finders sought new members for its Board of Directors, Alvarez was nominated by a staff member. She was excited by the opportunity to engage with, and represent, her community in this new way. In her words: “I’m honored to be a member of the Board. Because the other members listen when I give my opinion and comments. It’s not, ‘Well, we do these types of projects all the time and we’re not interested in how tenants feel about it.’ No, they’re concerned about our communities from a resident’s side. It’s a good space for the members to hear a resident’s side of a project or proposal.” more >>

The only thing better than being given a chance? Being given a second chance.

The only thing better than being given a chance? Being given a second chance. Meet Adlin Villalba, a 2023 graduate of Way Finders’ Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program. “My first time in the program, I didn’t graduate. But here I am! I’m so happy I was allowed to join it again. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here telling my story. “My kids don’t know about my big day! I wanted to surprise them. I think I’ll say, ‘Hey, let’s go out to eat! Olive Garden? On the Border?’ They’ll probably be like, ‘Mom, what’s going on? Are you pregnant?’ You know, I’ve made a lot of mistakes, I’ve disappointed my kids sometimes in the past. With this surprise, I want to be able to say, ‘Boom! I did this, you guys! I worked hard, I put my all into it.’ I’m happy today. I’m very excited.” Boom. You did it, Adlin! Congratulations. more >>

Upcoming Events

Sep 30

Post Purchase Workshop

Webinar

9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Oct 11

Clases para Compradores de Casa por Primera Vez de Way Finders

Online

5:30 pm

registate >>

Oct 14

First Time Homebuyer Workshop (English)

1780 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103

9:00 am

Featured Communities

Butternut Farms

12 Longmeadow Drive, Amherst, MA. A quiet, rural setting with plenty of open space and easy access to the surrounding communities. Amherst, MA
learn more >>

Parsons Village

71 Parsons Street, Easthampton, MA Energy-efficient homes in a development designed to enhance community, conserve resources and set a new standard for affordable housing. Easthampton, MA
learn more >>

Olympia Oaks

85 Olympia Drive, Amherst, MA. A mixed-income community incorporating green space and access to nature, within walking distance of downtown Amherst. Amherst, MA
learn more >>

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so too is our vision. Our work requires many hands and many supporters. We invite you to join us.

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“Look forward, don’t look back.”

Jonel relocated to Massachusetts from Connecticut, where, despite working two jobs, she couldn’t afford rent. She lost everything and moved north with her daughter, right before the start of a global pandemic. Her plan—to stay with family—didn’t work out.

“I had no choice but to go into a shelter,” says Jonel. There she connected with programs and people who helped her start over. Today, Jonel pays market rent in Holyoke, works in the food industry, and is saving to get to the next steps in life. To others who are facing housing insecurity, Jonel offers these words: “Don’t be afraid. Look forward, don’t look back. And if you’re serious about changing your life, Way Finders is the way to go.”

learn more about the lives that way finders has impacted