Preventing eviction requires more than addressing past-due rent. It takes coordination, trust, and a shared commitment to helping residents overcome financial challenges before they threaten housing stability.
That collaborative approach recently earned Connected Communities Foundation and its Boston community development corporation (CDC) partners an Outstanding Partnership Award from the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC) for their work developing and implementing the Coordinated Eviction Prevention (CEP) program.
Launched in January 2025, the initiative brings together housing providers, resident services professionals, and community organizations to help residents address rental debt, strengthen financial skills, and work toward lasting housing stability.
An Eviction Prevention Partnership Built on Collaboration
The program grew out of years of collaboration among five Boston CDCs: Urban Edge Housing Corporation, Madison Park Development Corporation, Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, and Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation.
Together, these organizations steward more than 5,000 affordable housing units across Boston neighborhoods. Working alongside WinnCompanies, the property manager, and Connected Communities Foundation, the Consortium has developed shared approaches to supporting residents and advancing housing stability and economic mobility.
The partners’ collaboration dates back to 2020, when they launched a joint Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program designed to streamline administration, share resources, and strengthen services across their portfolios.
Building on that foundation, the partners began planning a new approach to eviction prevention in 2024, with support from Massachusetts General Hospital. The resulting program addresses a persistent challenge for affordable housing communities: helping residents resolve rental arrears before those balances put their housing at risk.
This eviction prevention partnership demonstrates how housing providers, resident services professionals, and community organizations can work together to address rental debt before it leads to displacement.
A Coordinated Approach to Rental Debt
Through the Coordinated Eviction Prevention program, participating households commit to repaying a portion of their overdue rent over six months, applying for available rental assistance, and engaging in financial coaching. Residents who successfully complete the program’s requirements have their remaining eligible rental debt forgiven.
The approach gives residents a structured path toward resolving past-due rent while building financial knowledge, connecting with community resources, and developing strategies for navigating future financial challenges.
Each partner contributes distinct expertise. The CDCs bring deep knowledge of their communities and help connect residents with the program. Connected Communities Foundation provides the administrative backbone, developing program policies, procedures, and infrastructure while also contributing to resident services. WinnCompanies supports coordination and tracking throughout the process, from enrollment through completion. Legal partners, rental assistance agencies, and other community organizations contribute additional resources and expertise.
This eviction prevention partnership demonstrates how organizations with different expertise can work together to create practical, coordinated solutions that help residents maintain housing stability.
Measuring the Impact
Through August 2026, 113 residents had completed the program, collectively clearing approximately $620,000 in rental debt. Participants resolved an average of five months of rent, and 82% of program completers remained current on their rent following completion.
These outcomes demonstrate the potential of a model that combines accountability with meaningful support and gives residents an opportunity to move forward from rental debt.
Looking Ahead
The MACDC Outstanding Partnership Award recognizes what can happen when organizations with different roles and expertise work toward a common goal. Rather than addressing rental debt in isolation, the partners have built a coordinated model that connects residents with the tools and support they need to work toward housing stability.
Building on the Boston pilot, the program is expected to expand in 2027 to seven additional properties across four states in partnership with WinnCompanies. The initiative will continue under its new name, Back on Track, reflecting its focus on helping residents address financial setbacks and move forward.
As the program grows, the partnership remains a powerful example of how collaboration can turn a shared challenge into a practical, resident-centered solution.
Learn more about Back on Track and how Connected Communities Foundation works with housing providers and community partners to support housing stability and economic mobility.
Celebrate the Partnership
Read our LinkedIn post highlighting the MACDC Outstanding Partnership Award and the collaborative work behind the Coordinated Eviction Prevention program and share it with your network.
Learn More About Back on Track
Discover how the award-winning partnership is helping residents overcome rental debt and work toward lasting housing stability in our article, Back on Track: Helping Residents Overcome Rental Debt and Move Forward.
