City of Worcester Community Development Survey - Your input is crucial as we work to identify funding priorities for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and other HUD entitlement funds. The information you provide will help inform the development of the next 5-year Consolidated Plan, ensuring that our community's needs are effectively addressed. This survey should take about 10 minutes to complete and will remain available until December 20, 2024.
The following funding programs are overseen by the Housing and Neighborhood Development Divisions.
View the following PDF for an overview of the City of Worcester's Housing Program portfolio.
Learn more about the Housing Programs funded by the City's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, including:
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a flexible program that provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. Beginning in 1974, the CDBG program is one of the longest continuously run programs at HUD.
The CDBG program works to ensure decent affordable housing, to provide services to the most vulnerable in our communities, and to create jobs through the expansion and retention of businesses. CDBG is an important tool for helping local governments tackle serious challenges facing their communities. The CDBG program has made a difference in the lives of millions of people and their communities across the Nation.
If you are interested in learning more about the CDBG Program, please contact Greg Baker, Director of Neighborhood Development.
Community Development Block Grants
The City of Worcester's Down Payment Assistance Program is a federally funded program through HUD Community Development Block Grant funding that provides first time income qualified homebuyers with up to $5000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. Buyers must be preapproved for a mortgage and the property must be located in the City of Worcester and be in habitable condition. Additional information can be found in the program guidelines and application.
If you are interested in learning more about the Down Payment Assistance Program, please contact Tim Hansen, Housing Specialist.
*The City of Worcester launched a new Down Payment Assistance Program in partnership with Worcester Community Housing Resources, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. This program provides up to $25,000 for down payment and closing costs to eligible first-time homebuyers. For more information visit Worcester Community Housing Resources at www.wchr.org or call 508-799-0322.
The Worcester Housing Now Initiative is a program focused upon the neighborhood multifamily housing stock primarily consisting of triple deckers. With the majority of these properties over 100 years old, significant deferred maintenance exists in many of them. This program aims to help owner occupied multifamily owners as well as responsible landlords gain access to technical and financial resources to address deferred maintenance issues many of which include sanitary, building and fire code violations.
There are two Tiers to the program:
The City of Worcester is now accepting applications for the Worcester Housing Now Program. If you have any questions regarding the program, please contact Ariel Lim at 508-799-1400 ext. 31411.
Please submit completed applications to:
Email Ariel Lim at lima@worcesterma.gov
or mail to:
Housing & Neighborhood Development Division
ATTN: Ariel Lim
City Hall Room 405
455 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Program Applications:
HUD Affordable Housing Figures:
Application Supplemental Forms:
Application Supplemental Forms for Tier 2 Only:
The City of Worcester's Elder Home Repair Program provides a maximum of $25,000 per unit in grant assistance to income eligible seniors to rehabilitate their homes with US Department of Housing & Urban Development, Community Development Block Grant funds. These funds must be used to rehabilitate major systems (ex. mechanical, heating, roof, siding, windows) of the home and code compliance or accessibility features.
Qualifications:
The Worcester Lead Abatement Program (WLAP) is a federally funded grant program that is designed to assist property owners with the cost of lead paint abatement in eligible properties. Both owner-occupied and investor-owned properties may qualify. Income and rental restrictions may apply. Massachusetts Law requires the abatement of lead paint hazards wherever children under six-years old reside.
The Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes (OLHCHH) provide funding to local governments to develop cost-effective ways to reduce lead-based paint hazards. In addition, the office enforces HUD's lead-based paint regulations, provides public outreach and technical assistance, and conducts technical studies to help protect children and their families from health and safety hazards in the home.
If you are interested in learning more about the WLAP, please contact Jim Brooks, Healthy Homes Program Manager.
The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) provides formula grants to municipalities to fund a wide range of activities including building, buying, and/or rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or homeownership or providing direct rental assistance to low-income people. HOME is the largest Federal block grant to state and local governments designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households.
If you are interested in learning more about the HOME Program, please contact Stephen Connelly, Principal Housing Staff.
The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program provides funding to: (1) engage homeless individuals and families living on the street; (2) improve the number and quality of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families; (3) help operate these shelters; (4) provide essential services to shelter residents, (5) rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families, and (6) prevent families/individuals from becoming homeless.
If you are interested in learning more about the ESG Program, please contact the Supportive Housing Program Coordinator.
The Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Program is the only Federal program dedicated to the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. Under the HOPWA Program, HUD makes grants to local communities, States, and nonprofit organizations for projects that benefit low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families.
If you are interested in learning more about the HOPWA Program, please contact the Supportive Housing Program Coordinator
Economic Development
City Hall 4th Floor
455 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: 508-799-1400
Fax: 508-799-1406
Email Us
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
