About Us
Housing Support, Inc. (HSI), headquartered in Newburyport, MA, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) housing development corporation dedicated to
providing shelter, housing, substance abuse and comprehensive support services to low-income, homeless, disabled, veterans, and individuals in recovery.
across the Merrimack Valley and New Hampshire Seacoast regions.
Established on September 10, 1990, HSI is led by Executive Director Paula Newcomb, who brings over four decades of expertise in affordable housing development and management.
HSI's properties offer sober housing and supportive services tailored to homeless, disabled individuals, veterans, and individuals in recovery.
Over the past three decades, HSI has successfully developed properties in Haverhill, Lawrence, and Amesbury, MA. In 2020, recognizing the growing need, the Board extended HSI's reach and inaugurated a ninth property, this time in Kingston, NH. This expansion beyond Essex County demonstrates HSI's commitment to mitigating housing disparities across broader geographic regions.
HSI has strategically leveraged competitive financing methods and public grant awards. The achievement of such projects is a testament to HSI's prowess in property acquisition and transformation into affordable housing units, made possible through a combination of public grants, equity financing, market financing, foundation support, and private contributions.
Our Founders
Housing Support Inc. was founded in the early 1990s by a group of three passionate individuals dedicated to their communities.
Edward G. Molin
Community Leader, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist
Along with HSI, Mr. Molin also founded Berkshire Manufacturing, was the Mayor of Newburyport, and made substantial contributions to Newburyport Schools and the City's Library.
E. James Gaines
Developer, Planner, and Navy Veteran
Mr. Gaines developed housing for individuals and families throughout his career in public, private and nonprofit housing development, and was Planning Director and Planning Board Chairman for the City of Newburyport.
Nicholas Costello
State Representative, Senator, and First Mayor of Amesbury
State Representative Costello filed the original legislation for the purchase of the Moseley Estate, now known as the 400-acre Maudslay State Park and was an early Director of the John Ashford Link House.
We have worked with
We have successfully collaborated with both public and private entities. The Massachusetts Land Bank, Community Economic Development and Assistance Corporation, Federal HOME Loan Bank, MA Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), MA DMH, MA DDS, Massachusetts Housing, North Shore HOME Consortium, US Department of Housing and Urban Development, US Veterans Administration, Northern Essex Community College, Newburyport Bank, Pentucket Bank, CEDAC, Mass Development, New Hampshire Housing Finance Agency, Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, the City of Haverhill, the City of Amesbury, and the City of Lawrence.
HSI relies on the support of local and regional housing authorities, including Amesbury Housing Authority, Chelsea Housing Authority, Chelmsford Housing Authority, Community Teamwork, Inc., Haverhill Housing Authority, Ipswich Housing Authority, Lawrence Housing Authority, Lowell Housing Authority, and Lynn Housing Authority.