Community Leaders for Affordable Housing (CLAH) is a project of Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries (CMM). CMM is creating Black wealth equity through home rehabilitation and workforce development.  The statistics are grim. The average Black family in Boston has an average net wealth of $8.00, compared to the White family’s $247,500, according to a 2015 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. 

For three years, CMM has taken applications to rehab homes in Boston and adjacent areas.  With volunteers, they have successfully completed work on 16 homes in four years. Without the work of CLAH, houses that fall into disrepair may be sold and removed from affordable housing stock because their owners cannot afford to fix them. Work is typically outdoors, on weekends, in the spring and summer. Training and materials are provided. Volunteers need only bring work clothes.

Volunteer activities have included:

• Painting

• Repairs

• Yard work

• Construction