Hands on Defense
The Hands On Defense (HOD) Program provides legal advocacy support for Justice-Impacted Individuals (JIIs) who face barriers to obtaining permanent housing. Our advocates and Peer Leaders support constituents who are excluded from accessing permanent housing stemming from archaic discriminatory policies.
The Hands On Defense Model is a model used to to disrupt the discriminatory process that public housing authorities use to deny Justice-Impacted Individuals access to public housing and housing vouchers at the appellate level.
Housing Advocacy
HOD works directly with JIIs to appeal discriminatory housing denials, terminations or evictions based on Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) screenings.
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Housing Navigation
HOD provides assistance to JIIs in managing their housing search by helping with applications and maintaining a current list of available affordable housing resources.
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The HOD Network
HOD offers workshops and trainings for individuals, organizations, and communities who wish to utilize the HOD model to successfully house and advocate for JIIs in their area.
Reentry Housing
HOD now manages reentry housing units for formerly incarcerated people (FIP). Brie's House sleeps 12 individuals in a beautifully updated Dorchester home.
Request HOD Services
Due to capacity limitations, we are not currently accepting new clients.
No walk-ins will be served at this time.
If you are already a Justice 4 Housing client and wish to contact your case manager online, please click here to create an online account or click here to sign in if you already have an account.
If you are experiencing an emergency and are in need of services, please see the “Other Resources” list below.
If you were referred to our agency by a case worker or provider, please ask them to reach out to us directly.
Other Resources
If you have received a housing denial or termination letter from a housing authority, you contact Harvard’s Tenant Advocacy Project at (617) 495-4394 or tap@law.harvard.edu.
If you have received an eviction notice, you can contact Greater Boston Legal Services at (617) 371-1234 or Volunteer Lawyers Project at (617) 603-1700.
If you are in need of emergency financial assistance, including rental assistance, you can contact Action for Boston Community Development at (617) 348-6347 or housing@bostonabcd.org.
If you are interested in learning more about our Stable Housing and Reintegration Program (SHARP), please contact the SHARP program manager at sharp@justice4housing.org.
For all other housing inquiries, view our list of affordable housing waitlists and lottery resources by clicking below.
Peer Leadership
Our Peer Leaders:
- Advocate within their communities
- Attend appeal hearings with our clients
- Speak at events and workshops
- Train new peer leaders
- Train organizations within the HOD Network
Client Testimonials
“I applied for Section 8 in 2010 while I was incarcerated and in June of 2021 I was granted housing. I was facing an interview with housing and, due to my current position of being a formerly incarcerated woman, Ms. Credle provided her incredible experience and utilized her skills and knowledge to help me obtain a spot in housing. Had it not been for her, I truly believe I would have not attained housing and the result would have been homelessness. We need more women like her.”
HOD Network Trainings
How to Avoid a Justice-Involved Eviction
Peer Leadership Training
Changing The Narrative
Healing Oneself from the Trauma of Incarceration
HOD Internships
Want to join our fight to end housing discrimination for FIP?
The HOD Internship Program provides the opportunity for students and emerging professionals to gain experience in direct service and advocacy work.