Demetria McCain, principal deputy assistant secretary for fair housing and equal opportunity for the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, said the agency is working to ensure that people who have criminal records have access to housing.

“We’re making sure that our fair-housing partners out there understand the assignment,” she said.

McCain attended the graduation, praising the program alongside local and state officials.

Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune said more investment in community and preventative efforts, including schools, can help stop people from ending up behind bars in the first place.

“If we want to stop people from going back behind the wall, we need to do work on the front end,” she said.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll said housing is the first step toward stability.

“We want the folks who are returning to our community to have community,” Driscoll told the graduates. “You are loved, you are capable, and we are here to support you. We can’t wait to see what you’re going to do next.”