Changing the System
Ending young adult homelessness isn’t just about providing services—it’s about fixing broken systems. Through advocacy, coalition-building, and policy reform, Breaktime works to ensure that no young adult faces housing insecurity alone.
Why Policy Matters
Young adults experiencing housing insecurity are often locked out of opportunity by design—not by choice. Current policies, age restrictions, and systemic gaps make it harder to:
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Access stable housing and rental assistance
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Qualify for workforce development programs
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Receive physical and mental health care
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Transition safely out of foster care or the juvenile justice system​
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These barriers aren’t accidental—they’re structural. And that’s why we advocate for systemic change.
1 in 10
young adults experience homelessness in a given year.
89%
of young people experiencing homelessness are people of color.
Policy in Action
Breaktime collaborates with advocates, government agencies, and coalitions across Massachusetts to advance meaningful reform. Recent initiatives include:
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Supporting the Massachusetts ID Bill to expand identification access
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Testifying at Boston City Council hearings on LGBTQ+ housing
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Participating in Legislative Action Day at the MA State House
ADVOCACY
We center youth voices.
Breaktime believes young adults must have a voice in shaping the policies that impact their lives. We empower Associates to share their lived experiences with policymakers, guiding them in informing legislation through testimony and storytelling, and helping them build confidence as leaders and changemakers in their communities.