Historic brick building with Black Lives Matter banner and street view.

Haley House Live-In Community

  • Communities

About the Communities

  • Established
  • Home-sharing
  • Urban

Founding year

  • 1966

What we do

The Haley House Live-In Community is a group of volunteers who have committed to living and working at Haley House for a period of at least two years. Collectively, the community manages the Haley House soup kitchen on the ground floor of 23 Dartmouth St.
Joining the community is much more than a full time job. Living intentionally means not only serving the poor but being responsible to each other through weekly meetings, community meals, shared tasks, and a mindful approach to daily life. In our collective decision-making we utilize the consensus process and emphasize careful listening and mutual respect –- values that we try to live out both in our personal lives and our work in the soup kitchen.
Living together takes courage. It means challenging each other with a deep respect for the learning process of each individual, while holding a safe space for positive growth. Community living also requires accountability to both those we serve and those who support us.

Our Mission

Since its inception in 1966, the Live-In Community of Haley House has brought together diverse, loving, and dedicated people who have offered to commit themselves fully to the daily mission of Haley House, while living together as an intentional community on the top floors of 23 Dartmouth Street. While managing the Haley House soup kitchen, volunteers commit to living together as a community, building deep connections with each other and our guests. Hospitality is key to the community’s way of life. We share friendship, space, and material goods that we have received through the generosity of others.

  • Purpose
  • Home-sharing
  • Community type
  • Coliving
  • Activities
  • Experiences
  • Networking

Commemorative dates

  • January 1, 1966
  • Started planning
  • January 1, 1966
  • Started living together

Video

Gallery

  • 5 Total members
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
Total
5

How to join

We ask that applicants submit an online application, a current resume, and two letters of reference. Information about applying to the Live-In Community can be found here: http://haleyhouse.org/what-we-do/community/

Basic expectations or agreements for members

We accept individual volunteers in the soup kitchen and short-term hospitality guests. To volunteer, please visit: http://haleyhouse.org/give/volunteer/. To request hospitality, please email li*****@********se.org

Primary decision-making authority

  • All Community Members Together

The whole membership decides collectively.

Decision-making process

  • Modified Consensus

Generally seek agreement, but have backup methods when consensus isn’t reached.

Governance structure

  • Collaborative/Horizontal

Power and responsibility are shared relatively equally among members.

Conflict resolution approach

The rules of the community are created by the members at the time & are always subject to change.

Economic model

  • Independent Finances

Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • There is a labor obligation
  • Members typically need to have their own job or other personal source of income to cover their expenses while living in the community?

Additional economic information

Labor: Yes (25 hrs/week)
Members with pre-existing debt: allowed
Members are responsible for their own debts. We have a community fund which is dispersed to members should they need financial help upon leaving the community – this is replenished through individual contributions, external donations or through collective work such as shoveling. All living expenses are paid for through the 501C3 (i.e. utilities). Some members have part-time outside jobs for personal expenses.

Shared resources and amenities that are accessible to everyone in the community

Common House, Garden(s), Vehicle Share, Library, Workshop, Large Scale Kitchen, Internet

Frequency of communal meals

  • 2-5 times per week

Significant food acquisition practices

  • Locally sourced

Dietary type

  • Vegetarian Only

Dietary restriction

  • People can cook and eat what they want in their own residence

Community activities and engagement

  • Volunteer, Internship, or Apprenticeship, or WWOOF’ing
  • Organization, Resource, or Network

Substance use culture

  • Substance use appears in public spaces but no pressure
  • Religions
  • Christian
  • Buddhist
  • Jewish
  • Wiccan, Paganism, or Earth Religions
  • Unitarian Universalist

Gender composition

  • Roughly balanced (no group over 60%)

Age demographics

  • Mixed adults (few or no children)

Property status

  • Privately owned

Property owner

  • By a Community Land Trust or some other kind of nonprofit

Setting

  • Urban

Within city limits with access to urban amenities and infrastructure.

Community type

  • Coliving

    Shared living spaces with private bedrooms/bathrooms and communal
    kitchens, dining, and social areas.

Self-produced energy

  • Up to 33%

Self-produced food

  • Up to 33%

Local, organic, or fair trade food

  • Up to 33%

Food systems

  • Community garden

Guest Book

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Location

  • Massachusetts, United States

Needs and Offers

Offer
  • Real Estate For Sale
3 weeks ago

2 Units Available in Forest Grove, OR - Where Town Meets Country!

Two Homes Available at Green Grove Cohousing – Forest Grove, OR Discover Green Grove Cohousing, a fun-loving, vibrant, family-friendly community that embraces environmental sustainability, social justice, community service, and the arts in the heart of Forest Grove, home to historic Pacific University. Enjoy the perfect balance of country living just minutes from town. With just nine privately owned homes on five natural acres, Green Grove offers a rare opportunity to live independently while enjoying an intentional, connected community. Shared amenities include a spacious common house with guest accommodations, gathering and entertaining space, play and art areas, a large woodworking shop, ample storage, organic vegetable and flower gardens, fruit trees, a chicken coop, a 30,000-gallon rainwater catchment system for irrigation, 14.7 kW of solar power supporting the common infrastructure, carports with living roofs and EV charging capability, and beautifully maintained grounds with buried utilities and walking paths. Homes are thoughtfully arranged around a shared village green, creating opportunities to connect with neighbors while preserving the privacy of your own home. 3926 Coho Cir | $595,000 3 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,475 SF A bright, detached two-story home featuring a main-level bedroom and full bath, bamboo floors, quartz countertops, high ceilings, abundant natural light, and beautiful Mt. Hood views. Thoughtfully designed for flexible living with modern finishes and energy-efficient comfort. MLS#: 704265931 3934 Coho Cir | $615,000 2 Bed | 1 Bath | 1,400 SF A beautifully designed single-level detached home with vaulted ceilings, stunning Mt. Hood views, radiant heated
Offer
Offer
  • Real Estate For Sale
2 months ago

“Lots” of Goodness For Sale!

Are you seeking to live in a sustainable, wellness-oriented community that prioritizes nature and environmental conservation? Living Well Ecovillage offers the perfect opportunity to be part of a vibrant, self-sufficient community committed to holistic health and ecological harmony. Available lots are equipped with city utilities and fiber internet access. Located in a unique mixed-use community with a variety of land uses planned for the future, including small business/commercial spaces, tiny houses, cluster housing, and a 10-acre farm. Currently, there are still 7 lots available. The Ecovillage is home to a diverse range of homes, such as timber frame, Deltec, hempcrete, and Net-Zero energy designs—all built with green building principles in mind. This community prioritizes sustainability and wellness in every aspect of life. About the Living Well Ecovillage Spanning 126 acres, the Living Well Ecovillage is bordered by the Deep River and Sandy Creek, offering stunning natural beauty and a tranquil environment. The Ecovillage includes shared spaces like a community garden, a Greenway/Rail Trail, and a neighborhood park. Over 53 acres of natural land buffer the river and creek, preserving the area’s pristine beauty and offering residents a true connection to nature. Your Dream Home Awaits Find your ideal spot to build your sustainable home, surrounded by trees, rock outcroppings, and abundant wild edible plants. Experience breathtaking views and a peaceful setting, perfect for those seeking a slower, more connected way of life. A Community That Supports Wellness The Living Well Ecovillage is not just about space—it’s about community. With access to the Folk School, residents engage in hands-on learning, sustainable practices, and personal growth, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. Perfectly Located Just
Offer

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Communities

A residential project: people live here as their primary home.

Organizations

An institution, business, network, or project that isn’t a residence (e.g. a learning center, farm, or network with no one living there full-time).

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