Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston

What Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston does

Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affordable housing organization incorporated in Massachusetts in 1987 and headquartered at 434 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 201, Boston. It is an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International and operates across roughly 26 cities and towns in Greater Boston, including Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Malden, Chelsea, and Weston. The organization's flagship offering is a Homeownership Program that delivers zero-interest mortgages to families earning at or below 80% of area median income, with monthly payments capped at 30% of gross household income, conditioned on 250-300 hours of sweat equity and completion of financial education. Housing construction is differentiated by green building practices including Passive House design standards (Roslindale project), integrated rooftop solar with reported utility-bill reductions of up to 80%, and all-electric construction (Weston project).

The operational model is structured around volunteer labor, which accounts for approximately 70% of construction work; in 2024 more than 1,000 volunteers contributed, and in 2022 volunteers logged 4,800 hours across homes. Revenue is generated from a deliberately diversified base of individual donations, corporate Build Day sponsorships ($5,000-$10,000 corporate tiers; $750 for schools/nonprofits/faith groups), an annual Building with Humanity campaign with tiers from $1,000 to $25,000, planned giving through the Carter Society endowment, Donor Advised Fund contributions, gifts of stock, workplace giving and matching gifts, vehicle donations through Cars for Homes (84-87% pass-through), and retail sales at the ReStore home improvement outlet in West Roxbury, which diverts over one million pounds of material from landfills annually. Partner families are selected via application and lottery, with demand documented at more than 80 applications for five Malden homes.

To date the organization has completed more than 120 homes serving over 635 individuals since 1987, and currently has active projects in Malden, Roslindale, Weston, Mission Hill, and Dorchester (Norfolk Street, Pope Leo Village). Strategic capital inflows in the 2023-2024 window include an $888,000 MassHousing-administered Neighborhood Stabilization Program grant for Roslindale, a $1.25 million state grant backing the Chelsea partnership with Comunidades Enraizadas Community Land Trust, and a $2.6 million Northern Trust transaction closed in November 2024. Leadership is provided by President & CEO Jim Kostaras (since 2019) and Chief Development Officer Tricia Casey. Recognition includes Habitat for Humanity International's 2023 Best in Sustainability Award, three consecutive years as a top vehicle donation program by Forbes Advisor, and a 4-star Charity Navigator rating (2021) with GuideStar Transparency Seal.

Name

Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston

Legal name

Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston

Website

https://habitatboston.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 that builds affordable zero-interest-mortgage homes for low-to-moderate income families across roughly 26 Greater Boston municipalities, supported by volunteer construction labor, corporate Build Day sponsorships, and a retail ReStore outlet.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Development

NAICS

New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236115), New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236116), Residential Building Construction (23611)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Affordable Housing Development & Construction (IMAFABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA)

Keywords

• Affordable housing development
• Nonprofit homeownership programs
• Volunteer construction services
• Reuse retail operations
• Community building initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Philanthropic donations from individuals supporting affordable homeownership programs, including online donations, tribute gifts, and one-time or recurring contributions.
2. ReStore Retail Sales: The ReStore sells donated furniture, appliances, and home improvement items. Proceeds directly fund construction of Habitat homes. The store diverts over a million pounds of materials from landfills annually.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate sponsorships and donations including Build Day sponsorships ($5,000-$10,000 for corporate groups), annual campaign sponsorships at various tiers ($1,000-$25,000), and employee matching gift programs.
4. Build Day Sponsorships: Corporate groups pay sponsorship fees for volunteer Build Days: $5,000 for up to 10 volunteers or $10,000 for up to 20 volunteers. Schools, non-profits, and faith-based groups pay $750.
5. Planned Giving and Endowments: Bequests through wills/trusts, IRA charitable rollovers for donors 70½+, beneficiary designations on retirement plans/life insurance, and contributions to the Carter Society endowment.
6. Vehicle Donations (Cars for Homes): Accepts vehicle donations (cars, trucks, boats, RVs, motorcycles) running or not, with free towing. Between 84-87% of gross revenue goes directly to Habitat programs. Forbes Advisor named it one of the best vehicle donation programs 3 years in a row.
7. Donor Advised Funds: Accepts donations through Donor Advised Funds via Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, and BNY Mellon DAFDirect.
8. Gifts of Stock: Accepts charitable gifts of stock, providing donors with deductions without capital gains tax on transfer.
9. Workplace Giving: Payroll deduction programs for employees of private employers and government agencies, plus matching gift programs from employers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston builds and sells affordable homes to low-to-moderate income families in Greater Boston through a sweat equity model where partner families contribute 250-300 hours of construction labor, complete financial education, and receive 0% interest mortgages capped at 30% of gross income. The organization operates the ReStore home improvement outlet in West Roxbury, which sells donated furniture, appliances, and building materials to fund construction, and engages corporate, school, faith-based, and individual volunteers through Build Day programs.

Product overview

Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston is a nonprofit affordable housing organization incorporated in 1987, offering a portfolio of programs centered on providing homeownership opportunities to families with low-to-moderate incomes. The core offering is the Homeownership Program, which combines sweat equity contributions, financial education, and 0% interest mortgages. Supporting programs include the ReStore retail outlet, Build Day volunteer experiences, Campus Chapters student groups, Cars for Homes vehicle donations, and Planned Giving legacy programs. The organization has built more than 120 homes serving 635 individuals across 26 towns in Greater Boston.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Carter Society: Habitat Greater Boston's planned giving program honoring individuals and families who include the organization in their estate plans or contribute to the Endowment Fund.
• ReStore

Products and services

• Homeownership Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% reduction in electrical bills through solar panels
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• ReSupplycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeteran-owned and operated scheduling software company based in Boston. Partners with Habitat Greater Boston to coordinate donation pick-ups with local movers, providing lower cost service for donors and streamlined operations for the ReStore.
• Comunidades Enraizadas Community Land TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Comunidades Enraizadas CLT to bring critically needed affordable homeownership opportunities to Chelsea, supported by $1.25 million state grant from Governor Maura Healey's administration.
• Weston Affordable Housing TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty owner for Weston project (6 units). Property acquired from Weston Affordable Housing Trust upon final permitting. Chapter 40B/L.I.P. project.
• HDS ArchitecturecoreTechnology or IntegrationArchitectural design partner for Weston project. Working with Habitat Greater Boston to ensure design complements neighborhood and pays homage to historic local architecture.
• MetroWest EngineeringsupportingTechnology or IntegrationCivil engineering partner for Weston project.
• Bellalta 3 DesignsupportingTechnology or IntegrationLandscape design partner for Weston project, also providing landscape design for Roslindale project, complementing and integrating with sensitive wetland environment.
• Goodwin ProctersupportingTechnology or IntegrationLegal counsel for Weston project.
• Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcquired Walter Street property in 2020 as part of anti-blight and wetlands dumping cleanup effort; designated Habitat Greater Boston to redevelop property for affordable housing.
• Adaptiv Architecture and DesigncoreTechnology or IntegrationArchitectural design partner for Roslindale project. Led design development for climate resilient and sustainable Passive House-style homes, working alongside Roslindale community.
• RDH Building SciencesupportingTechnology or IntegrationProvided consulting services on Passive House design standards and building enclosure for Roslindale project.
• Longfellow Area Neighborhood Association (LANA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeighborhood partner for Roslindale project, collaborating on community integration and development.
• The Architectural TeamsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Partner sponsor ($10,000) for 2023 Building with Humanity campaign.
• Dellbrook JKSsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Partner sponsor ($10,000) for 2023 Building with Humanity campaign.
• HDS ArchitecturesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity & Town Partner sponsor ($5,000) for 2023 Building with Humanity campaign.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Habitat for Humanity International: Parent network and global brand of which Habitat Greater Boston is an autonomous affiliate. Operates the same volunteer-driven, sweat-equity, 0%-interest mortgage model across 1,400+ affiliates worldwide and provides the brand, training, and awards structure (e.g., Best in Sustainability Award) leveraged by the Boston affiliate.

Direct peers

• Homeowners Rehab Inc. Cambridge-based nonprofit affordable housing developer serving the Greater Boston region. Like Habitat Greater Boston, HRI develops and rehabs affordable homes for low-to-moderate income households in the same competitive regional market, often using public funding and partnerships with municipalities.
• MetroHousing|Boston: Regional housing nonprofit serving 33 cities and towns in Greater Boston with affordable housing development, rental assistance, and homeownership programs. Comparable in geographic scope and mission, and a direct competitor for affordable housing funding and partner families in the same market.
• The Community Builders: Boston-based nonprofit developer of affordable multifamily and mixed-income housing. Comparable in mission and Massachusetts footprint, develops rental and homeownership units for low-income households using LIHTC and public financing, similar to Habitat Greater Boston's community land trust partnerships.
• Comunidades Enraizadas Community Land Trust: Massachusetts community land trust partnering with Habitat Greater Boston on the $1.25M Chelsea affordable homeownership project. Operates the same CLT-based permanently affordable homeownership model for low-to-moderate income families in Greater Boston.

Regional players

• Heading Home: Greater Boston nonprofit providing housing and supportive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. While focused on transitional rather than permanent affordable homeownership, it competes for the same donor dollars, volunteer base, and government housing grants in the same region.
• Pine Street Inn: Boston-based nonprofit providing shelter, housing, and supportive services. While focused on homelessness and supportive housing rather than homeownership, it competes with Habitat Greater Boston for Greater Boston donor dollars, corporate sponsorships, and volunteer engagement.

Others

• MassHousing: Massachusetts state housing finance agency and a key funder/partner of Habitat Greater Boston (administered the $888K Roslindale NSP grant). Comparable in mission focus on affordable housing in the same state, and a critical source of capital and regulatory frameworks for the affiliate.
• Boston Housing Authority: Public housing authority for the City of Boston, administering public housing and Section 8 vouchers. A key institutional partner and counterpart for affordable housing delivery in the same service area, and the dominant public-sector actor in the regional affordable housing ecosystem.
• LISC Massachusetts: Local Initiatives Support Corporation affiliate providing capital, grants, and technical assistance to community development nonprofits in Massachusetts. Comparable as a nonprofit intermediary channeling institutional capital into affordable housing, and a potential partner or funder for Habitat Greater Boston's pipeline.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/habitatboston
• Facebookfacebook.com/HabitatGreaterBoston
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/habitatboston

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston