For Immediate Release: 11/26/2024 2:27 pm
WORCESTER, Mass. – The City of Worcester announced Tuesday that it is partnering with Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance (CMHA) to open a Day Resource Center. CMHA will serve as the owner and operator, and the agency’s offer to acquire 134 Gold St. and the parking lot located at 5 Sargent St. as the site of the Resource Center was accepted.
The Day Resource Center is designed to be a place where individuals experiencing homelessness will have access to services in one location. This model will facilitate access to housing, employment, and other resources. Clients will be able to visit the Resource Center during daytime hours and have access to bathrooms, showers, charging stations, laundry, and storage lockers. The site will be designed to welcome all individuals experiencing homelessness.
“I want to thank Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Executive Office of Economic Development, and all our community partners who have worked tirelessly to help identify a location and make a purchase possible to open a Day Resource Center. I also want to thank our entire City Council for its support of this project,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista. “This is a big step forward for the city, as outlined in our municipal Strategic Plan, and will help us connect individuals experiencing homelessness with the services they need to secure housing and employment. This is another example of community partnerships working together to uplift the city.”
The Day Resource Center will serve as a central location where unhoused individuals can connect with outreach workers. A dedicated facility where various community partners are available will create another way to reach individuals and establish connections.
“The City has been a committed partner in addressing homelessness in Worcester. Their prioritization of this service is a testament to their ongoing support for those experiencing homelessness,” said CMHA Chief Executive Officer Leah Bradley. “The Day Resource Center will enhance the current service system and assist folks in accessing housing more quickly. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the City and our community partners to provide this services like this that help those who are unhoused find safe, permanent housing.”
The 134 Gold St. property is a 20,000 sq. ft. two-story building. Following renovations, the Resource Center is expected to open sometime in 2026. The properties are being purchased and renovated, in part, using interest generated from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The municipality has conditionally committed $4 million for this effort.
