The Worcester Housing Authority provides and manages affordable housing options—including public housing, voucher programs, and special-needs subsidies—for low-income individuals, families, the elderly, and people with disabilities in Worcester.

WHA manages housing and community support programs designed to meet diverse needs:

• Public housing units for families, seniors, and people with disabilities
• Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and scattered-site rental assistance
• Special-needs housing through DMH and DDS partnerships
• Employment and education support via the A Better Life (ABL) program
• Resident services including food delivery, community events, and public safety meetings

WHA serves residents throughout the city of Worcester:

• All neighborhoods within Worcester
• Multiple property developments and scattered rental sites
• Participation in county-wide Section 8 placements

WHA supports:

• Low-income households
• Seniors aged 62 and older
• Individuals with physical or psychiatric disabilities
• Justice-involved individuals needing transitional housing or job support

WHA keeps residents and landlords connected through:

• Local announcements, newsletters, and social media updates
• Notices in public spaces and online listings
• Outreach through a landlord portal and resident community meetings

WHA operates through a mix of funding streams:

• Federal HUD grants for public housing and voucher programs
• State funds for special-needs housing
• Tenant rent based on income
• Community grants and partnerships

WHA collaborates with numerous partners to enhance housing quality:

• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• Massachusetts DMH and DDS for special housing initiatives
• Worcester Regional Transit Authority for mobility access
• Local nonprofits and service providers engaged in resident support

Most Significant / Surprising Fact

WHA’s Belmont Tower redevelopment project combined RAD and LIHTC federal tools to add over 90 modern, accessible units. This positions Worcester among the first cities to use this blended financing strategy.

Training Required for Staff Positions

Roles may require Section 8 certification, property management training, or knowledge of housing regulations

Experience Required for Hiring of Staff

Preference given to applicants with backgrounds in social work, property management, or public administration

Training Requirements / Opportunities for Staff

Staff receive ongoing HUD/state compliance training, resident services support training, and landlord engagement workshops

• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2024). RAD/Rent assistance case studies. Washington, DC: HUD.
• Worcester Housing Authority. (n.d.-a). Belmont Tower Apartments. Retrieved June 30, 2025, from https://worcesterha.org/location_belmont_tower.html 
• Worcester Housing Authority. (n.d.-b). Admissions & Eligibility. Retrieved June 30, 2025, from https://worcesterha.org/admissions_eligibility.html 
• Worcester Housing Authority. (n.d.-c). Notice of Reasonable Accommodations. Retrieved June 30, 2025, from https://worcesterha.org/NoticeReasonableAccommodations.html 
• Worcester Housing Authority. (n.d.-d). Public Safety and Resident Meetings. Retrieved June 30, 2025, from https://worcesterha.org/psd_rcm.html