News  How Housing Can Reduce Recidivism Among Young Adults

LOWELL — Today, Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus and Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy joined Gregg Croteau, Chief Executive Officer of UTEC, and many young adults from Lowell, Lawrence and Haverhill to discuss UTEC’s transitional housing program. In 2023, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security created a competitive grant program to combat recidivism among young adults exiting corrections who fall into homelessness.

“Housing is the foundation for rebuilding lives,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. “Stable housing is a critical component to reducing recidivism among our young adults. UTEC is providing the support for young adults who have no other options, and it allows individuals to focus on getting back on track without the fear of homelessness.”

In February 2024, UTEC was selected to receive funding for their “UTEC Re-Entry Transitional Housing Initiative” program. The program will serve 25 young people exiting corrections, up to three of which may be in a mentorship role that provides peer support. 

“Massachusetts is a national leader in recidivism reduction, an achievement made possible through strong partnerships and vital resources, including the transitional assistance housing grant program. The Healey-Driscoll Administration remains deeply committed to working closely with our community partners to create successful reentry initiatives that empower individuals to rebuild their lives in meaningful ways,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. “I am grateful to Secretary Augustus, the HLC team, UTEC, and our many community partners for their significant contributions to improving outcomes and breaking down barriers to successful reentry.” 

Young adults exiting corrections face additional barriers to housing besides affordability, such as housing and employment discrimination due to having a criminal record. These young adults are dealing with the pressure of readjusting to life outside combined with juggling family reintegration, economic sustainability, and healing from intense trauma undergone before and during incarceration. They are also barred from federal Section 8 or public housing.

"We are very appreciative of both Secretary Augustus and Secretary Reidy for joining our team for a conversation surrounding the unique housing challenges of those returning to the community after incarceration,” said UTEC CEO Gregg Croteau. “We are thrilled for their leadership in designing new initiatives to both increase housing stability and reduce recidivism for emerging adults in the Merrimack Valley. We look forward to working with all of our partners, alongside our young adults, to best realize the positive change presented by this type of initiative.  

Individuals enrolled in the project will all come from Massachusetts Department of Correction facilities and in many cases the work with the people to be served will begin behind the wall. Enrollment may last up to 24 months and while enrolled, they will receive housing and intensive wrap-around services including connections to behavioral health supports, paid job training and career counseling, housing search and financial literacy training. 

"This housing (program) does help. It will move me away from a negative society," said Hermon Jackson, Jr., a young adult in UTEC programming. "Rather than me being outside with my boys, going down the street possibly getting shot at... that's not ok. We need this to help us get to a better place."

Today’s roundtable was part of the administration’s statewide Housing Campaign to call attention to the urgent need to lower housing costs throughout Massachusetts. Events have included highlighting the MBTA’s efforts to support transit-oriented development and celebrating our community developers. Prior events focused on programs to support first-time homebuyers, identifying housing solutions with the business industry, ending veteran homelessness, the impact of housing on health care, the importance of investing in the state’s public housing and the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s partnership with cities and towns to find housing solutions.

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