Lynn Shelter Association

What Lynn Shelter Association does

Lynn Shelter Association (LSA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1984 as the city of Lynn, Massachusetts's first adult emergency shelter. The organization operates a full continuum-of-care model for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, including Family Shelter and Stabilization (three family shelter locations serving more than 80 homeless families nightly, with private rooms, communal kitchens, and outdoor play spaces), Adult Shelter and Housing (a 55-bed Adult Emergency Shelter in the historic Osmund Building opened in March 2026, plus 89 single-room occupancy units and 10 supported two-bedroom apartments of Permanent Supportive Housing), Community Outreach (mobile engagement teams that meet people on streets, in encampments, under bridges, and in temporary motels), and Housing Support Services (Triage/Engagement/Assessment, Community Support Program for Homeless Individuals, and Housing Support Services case management). In 2025, LSA sheltered 600+ adults and children, moved 170+ into permanent stable housing, and connected 1,000+ people to community services.

The organization operates a low-threshold, housing-first model aligned with HUD-endorsed principles: no sobriety requirements, no programmatic prerequisites, 24/7 access, and voluntary supportive services. Reported outcomes include a 95% long-term family housing retention rate and 90%+ Permanent Supportive Housing retention rate, alongside a 2-3 year post-move stabilization support period for families. Services are free to clients; the organization generates no fee-for-service revenue.

LSA's revenue model rests on individual donations ($50-$5,000 tiers tied to specific program outcomes such as case management, rent assistance, and shelter), corporate and foundation grants (30+ documented partners including Cummings Foundation, Amelia Peabody Charitable Fund, Eastern Bank Foundation, Alfred E. Chase Charity Foundation, Essex County Community Foundation, and Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston), memorial and donor-advised fund gifts, and government funding (Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, MASS Development, City of Lynn Opioid Settlement Fund). Distribution is direct through owned facilities rather than external channels, with state-contracted referral pathways via Massachusetts Emergency Family Shelter (866-584-0653) for families and direct intake for adult services. The organization employs 51-100 staff and is led by CEO Mark Evans and CFO/COO Nat Franke, with governance by a Board of Directors chaired by President Thomas Cornu.

Name

Lynn Shelter Association

Legal name

Lynn Shelter Association

Website

https://lsahome.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Lynn Shelter Association is a Lynn, Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1984, that operates a continuum of emergency shelter, family shelter, permanent supportive housing, street outreach, and case management services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness across the North Shore area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless and Social Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Homeless shelter services
• Emergency housing programs
• Permanent supportive housing
• Community outreach services
• Case management support

Headquarters

HQ city

Lynn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The organization accepts donations from individuals through its website and mail, ranging from $50 to $5,000 or more. Donation categories include funding for case managers, rent assistance, programming for economic mobility, and supplies for homeless individuals.
2. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Lynn Shelter Association receives support from corporations, foundations, and government entities. Notable partners include Cummings Foundation, Eastern Bank Foundation, Alfred E. Chase Charity Foundation, Amelia Peabody Charitable Fund, and government funding from Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.
3. Memorial and Donor-Advised Fund Gifts: The organization accepts memorial gifts in memory of loved ones and donor-advised fund contributions as alternative giving methods.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Lynn Shelter Association operates a continuum of free shelter, housing, and supportive services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Lynn and the North Shore area. Its programs include Family Shelter and Stabilization across three family shelter locations, a 55-bed low-threshold Adult Emergency Shelter with Permanent Supportive Housing (89 SRO units and 10 family apartments), Community Outreach for unsheltered individuals, and Housing Support case management.

Product overview

Lynn Shelter Association operates a continuum of social services for people experiencing homelessness, organized as four interconnected core programs: Family Shelter and Stabilization (three family shelters serving 80+ families nightly with 2-3 years of post-move stabilization support), Adult Shelter and Housing (55-bed adult emergency shelter opened March 2026 plus 89 SRO units and 10 family apartments), Community Outreach (mobile engagement team meeting people in crisis), and Housing Support (Triage/Engagement/Assessment, CSP-HI, and HSS case management). The organization uses a 'Dignity and Respect' housing-first approach with low-barrier admission, serving 1,000+ individuals and families annually from Lynn and the North Shore area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of families remain stably housed long-term after transitioning from shelter
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered major and minor.

• City of Lynn OfficialsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMayor Jared Nicholson presented official proclamation at ribbon cutting; State Representatives Dan Cahill and others recognized LSA's milestone
• Lynn TVminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal media partner featuring LSA CEO Mark Evans on History of Success program discussing home insecurity issues

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• St. Francis House: Boston-based nonprofit providing daytime shelter, meals, case management, and housing support for homeless and poor individuals — comparable low-threshold service model in the same metro.
• Pine Street Inn: Greater Boston's largest homeless services nonprofit operating emergency shelter, supportive housing, and outreach — a directly comparable provider with a similar continuum-of-care model in the same metropolitan region.
• Heading Home: Greater Boston nonprofit providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals and families — directly comparable service mix and housing-first orientation.
• Father Bill's & MainSpring: Massachusetts nonprofit operating emergency shelter, housing programs, and outreach for people experiencing homelessness — comparable continuum-of-care model with similar regional focus.
• Bridge Over Troubled Waters: Greater Boston nonprofit serving homeless and at-risk youth with shelter, housing, and support services — comparable population-serving mission with overlapping shelter and case management programs.

Emerging players

• HomeStart: Greater Boston nonprofit focused on homelessness prevention and housing stabilization through case management and rental assistance — comparable housing-first orientation with a narrower, prevention-focused service mix.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston: Large regional social services agency offering a broad portfolio including homeless shelters, family services, and housing support — comparable service categories with wider organizational footprint.
• Housing Solutions for Greater Boston: Larger Greater Boston housing-focused nonprofit offering homelessness prevention, housing search, and stabilization services — broader portfolio but overlapping client base and service approach.

Regional players

• Harborlight Community Partners: North Shore (Beverly) affordable housing and supportive services nonprofit — comparable focus on housing stability and homelessness prevention within close geographic proximity to LSA.
• Emmaus, Inc. Haverhill, MA-based nonprofit providing shelter, housing, and support for homeless individuals — operates in a nearby North Shore/Merrimack Valley market with directly comparable programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LynnSAHome
• Facebookfacebook.com/lynnSAHome

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Lynn Shelter Association