Bureau Brief: Worcester Housing Authority

The Worcester Housing Authority (WHA) has been providing affordable housing options to Worcester residents since 1949. Federal guidelines recommend that households spend no more than 30 percent of income on rental or mortgage payments. According to the US Census Bureau, 41 percent of Worcester households exceed the 30 percent guideline, with 21 percent paying more than 50 percent of their income. Individuals and families struggling with housing costs or even eviction turn to public and subsidized housing for affordable options. The WHA, the second largest of 253 housing authorities in Massachusetts, supports nearly 7,000 households, over 3,000 of them in authority-owned units, and serves 15,000 residents. This brief explores the WHA’s governance, funding, and programs.