Brie’s House addresses the housing needs of Formerly Incarcerated People (FIP) by providing safe and stable temporary housing for 12 individuals and no less than six months of wrap-around stabilization services. The Brie’s House program paves the way to permanent housing by providing housing search support, financial empowerment resources and a safe place for clients to begin rebuilding their lives.
Justice 4 Housing would like to thank the Boston Mayor’s Office of Returning Citizens (ORC) for their generous support in funding our Transitional Housing program.
Brie’s House at Justice 4 Housing is an independent living program for individuals who are returning to the community after experiencing incarceration. Our goal is to provide a supportive environment that encourages and promotes development of the skills necessary for success in stable housing.
The program is located at a beautifully updated triple-decker home in Boston, Massachusetts, named Brie’s House.
We are committed to respecting the integrity and individuality of all our residents. The structure of the program aims to strike a balance between individual needs and the challenges posed by a large communal living environment.
In order to ensure successful reentry outcomes and long-term stability, Brie’s House residents are required to participate in certain programming and receive specific services. The Director of Transitional Housing will work with residents who need accommodations to fully enjoy the benefits of services and programming. Program requirements and wrap-around stabilization services include:
Case Management: House managers will provide case management services to all residents. Residents are expected to attend two (2) meetings per month. Meetings are held in the on-site office located in the home. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss personal goals and needs, review and update case plans, discuss program participation, and maintain open communication between residents and Justice 4 Housing. Topics will include, but are not limited to:
Trauma-Informed Care: Residents are required to enroll in mental health counseling and attend at least two (2) sessions per month. Justice 4 Housing is partnering with Crossroad Counseling Services (CCS) to offer free services on-site. Donniece Watson, LMHC will conduct two (2) group sessions per month for interested residents.
Enroll with the Center for Working Families for Financial Empowerment: Residents are required to attend at least two (2) workshops per month unless approved for an exception.
Attend Monthly House Meetings: Residents are expected to attend House Meetings, which are held once a month. Here you will be updated on program information and activities.
Community Engagement: Residents are encouraged and expected to participate in the community through healthcare, education, employment, personal development, community enrichment, and/or service projects for approximately thirty (30) hours per week.
Justice 4 Housing’s Brie’s House program offers clean, safe and affordable single room occupancy housing (emergency/short-term, transitional and permanent) for homeless and low-income individuals who are reentering the community after incarceration. We offer accommodations for older adults (aged 55 years and over), people with stabilized chronic mental illness, those recovering from substance abuse, persons living with HIV/AIDS and persons with co-occurring disorders.
In order to be eligible, applicants must:
Brie’s House is now operating on a referral-only basis. We are not currently accepting open applications. If you are connected with a partnering organization or service provider, please speak with them about a potential referral.
Complete the Brie’s House application form online. Click the “Apply Now” button above to fill it out when you are ready.
After submitting your Brie’s House application form, eligible applicants will meet with the Housing Manager to go over the rules and regulations of the program.
After completing the application and meeting with the Brie’s House Manager, eligible applicants will either move in or be placed on the waitlist for a room to open up.
Brie’s House is named for Brianna (“Brie”) Hardy, the late daughter of our dedicated Founder and Executive Director.
I consider myself a survivor of incarceration. The worst fear of every mom in prison is something bad happening to their child. Every night I prayed for the safety of my children. When I was taken from my home and placed into a Federal Prison, Brie was only 18 and just going into college. She had to leave college and get a job to sustain our household. In fact, she juggled two jobs, delivering for Amazon and working at a temp agency, up until the night before she was taken from me. I can still hear her words to me then, ‘Mom, I got a permanent job. It’s in Newton at a Law Firm, and Mom, they love me! They are teaching me how to be an administrative assistant!’ When I went to prison, Brianna had to grow up overnight. No 18 year old should have to maintain a household, pay a mortgage and cover the costs that come with owning a home. Yet, Brie was able to maintain our household until she was tragically taken from us.
She was mature in every way. I was so proud of her. She is one of the catalysts that drives our work at Justice 4 Housing. Brie is why homeownership is so important to me. Having a loving home, a place to lay your head and heal from past trauma and the unaddressed trauma from incarceration, is key to a successful reentry. Brie was able to save my home and her legacy will be ensuring that every survivor of incarceration has a loving home to return to.
Leslie Credle, Founder & Executive Director
Brie’s House is a beautifully updated home in Boston, Massachusetts. The property has two floors, with two units on each floor (four units total). Each unit includes three private, lockable bedrooms, for a total of 12 rooms across the home.
Depending on the unit, residents may have access to shared common space, and the units feature modern, updated finishes throughout. Kitchens vary by unit, with some offering eat-in kitchens and others offering private kitchens, all designed to feel clean, comfortable, and move-in ready. Each bedroom includes a bed, dresser, nightstand, ceiling light, and hardwood floors.