The Boston Public Library, in partnership with the Pine Street Inn, and Vital CxNs, has been awarded a $268,000 grant from the Liberty Mutual Foundation. The grant, awarded through the Boston Public Library Fund, will support a 10-month planning process to better connect housing-insecure individuals with critical housing, health, and social services through Library locations.
The initiative brings together the Boston Public Library’s deep community trust, Pine Street Inn’s housing expertise, and Vital CxNs’ nationally recognized, peer-led model for strengthening connections between providers and communities. Together, the partners will design a coordinated model that transforms library spaces into formal hubs for access to care.
Nationally recognized consultant Dr. Beth Wahler will guide a four-phase effort — including stakeholder engagement, needs assessment, landscape analysis, and model design — to produce a pilot-ready plan for implementation.
“We are deeply grateful for Liberty Mutual’s investment in this work and for its recognition that libraries are essential partners in strengthening housing stability,” said Paula Sakey, Executive Director of the Boston Public Library Fund. “Together with Pine Street Inn and Vital CxNs, we are designing a thoughtful, scalable model that will better serve our neighbors experiencing housing insecurity.”
By formalizing cross-sector collaboration, this initiative positions Boston’s libraries to become stronger hubs for connection, stability, and care—advancing equitable access to services for residents who need them most.