Resources for Worcester residents in housing crisis
Eviction Prevention
- Know your rights. https://communitylegal.org/know-your-rights-materials/
- You don’t need to leave when you see a Notice to Quit – https://www.masslegalhelp.org/housing-apartments-shelter/eviction/eviction-basics-and-notices-quit
- Lawyer for the day, Thursday mornings at housing court – https://www.mass.gov/location-details/central-housing-court-lawyer-for-the-day
- Housing Mediation – https://www.sevenhills.org/programs/housing-mediation
- Worcester Tenants Association – https://worcestertenantsunion.org/
- Laws about eviction – https://www.mass.gov/info-details/tenants-guide-to-eviction
Short-term assistance
- The Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program provides short-term emergency funding to help you with eviction, foreclosure, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-raft-emergency-help-for-housing-costs
- Rent, Mortgage, and Utility Bill Asistance from the Salvation Army – https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/rent-mortgage-and-utility-assistance/
- Some rental and utility assistance and case management from Catholic Charities – https://www.ccworc.org/services/basic-needs-and-emergency-assistance/
- Support applying to RAFT, housing counseling services, etc. – Central MA Housing Alliance – https://www.cmhaonline.org/faqs
- Support applying to RAFT, fuel assistance, financial coaching, etc. – Worcester Community Action Council – https://wcac.net/rental-assistance/
Public housing
- Massachusetts State Public Housing Centralized Waitlist – CHAMP https://publichousingapplication.ocd.state.ma.us/
- Each Housing Authority maintains a separate federal waitlist – apply anywhere you might want to live
- Check with any housing authority about your Section 8 Application. Your current situation might create a priority on an application you did years ago.
Shelters – family and individual/non-family
Initiated and compiled by the Worcester Interfaith Housing Team
With input from the Worcester Together Affordable Housing Coalition