What the Worcester Housing Authority does

The Worcester Housing Authority (WHA) is a public agency that owns and manages rental housing in Worcester, Massachusetts. It does not build or fund housing — it runs the buildings themselves. The WHA operates public housing developments where tenants pay rent on a sliding scale based on income, and it also administers the Housing Choice Voucher program (formerly called Section 8), which lets lower-income residents rent from private landlords while the WHA pays part of the rent directly to the owner.

The WHA is separate from the city government, though it receives some state and federal funding. It has its own board of commissioners, its own staff, and its own rules for who can live in its properties and how much they pay. If you live in a WHA building or hold a WHA voucher, the WHA is your landlord or your voucher administrator — not the city of Worcester.

Key Takeaways

  • The Worcester Housing Authority runs public housing buildings and administers Housing Choice Vouchers; it is not the same as the city housing department.
  • Public housing rent is based on your income (usually 30 percent of gross monthly income), not the market rate, and you must meet income limits to move in.
  • Housing Choice Vouchers let you rent from private landlords, but the WHA must approve the unit and the landlord, and you still pay roughly 30 percent of your income toward rent.
  • The WHA maintains a waitlist for both public housing and vouchers; waitlists are often closed and can have years-long waits when open.
  • Tenant rights in WHA housing include the right to a written lease, notice before eviction, and a hearing before removal, though the rules differ slightly from private rental law.

Public housing buildings managed by the WHA

The Worcester Housing Authority owns and operates several residential complexes throughout the city. These are not subsidized private apartments — they are public housing, meaning the WHA owns the building and sets the rules. Rent is calculated as 30 percent of your gross household income, or the minimum rent set by the WHA, whichever is higher. The minimum rent is typically between $50 and $100 per month, though it varies by property.

To move into WHA public housing, you must meet income limits. These limits change yearly and depend on household size. For example, a single person's income limit might be around $35,000 to $40,000 per year, but the exact figure is set each year by HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) and published by the WHA. You must also pass a background check and provide proof of income, residency, and identity.

The WHA maintains a waitlist for public housing. The list is often closed, meaning new names are not being added. When it opens, wait times can range from several months to several years depending on the property and the number of people ahead of you. You can contact the WHA directly to ask whether the waitlist is open and how to add your name.

Housing Choice Vouchers and how they work

A Housing Choice Voucher is a subsidy that lets you rent from a private landlord instead of living in a WHA building. The WHA gives you a voucher worth a certain amount (based on the local market rent for your area and household size), and you find an apartment on the private market. You pay roughly 30 percent of your income as rent, and the WHA pays the landlord the difference between your share and the voucher amount — up to the voucher limit.

Not every apartment qualifies. The landlord must be willing to accept vouchers, the unit must pass a WHA inspection for safety and condition, and the rent cannot exceed the voucher limit for your area. The WHA calls this limit the "payment standard." If you find an apartment that rents for more than your payment standard, you can pay the difference yourself, but many voucher holders cannot afford to do so.

The WHA also maintains a waitlist for Housing Choice Vouchers. This list is frequently closed. When it is open, wait times are often several years. Some people on the waitlist never receive a voucher because funding does not increase to match demand. You can contact the WHA to confirm whether the voucher waitlist is currently open and to request an process if it is.

Income limits and rent calculations

Both public housing and vouchers have income limits. These are set by HUD each year and published in March. The limits are based on the area median income (AMI) for Worcester and the surrounding region. Very Low Income (VLI) households — those at or below 50 percent of AMI — are the priority for public housing. Extremely Low Income (ELI) households — those at or below 30 percent of AMI — are prioritized for vouchers.

Rent in WHA public housing is calculated as 30 percent of your gross household income, or the minimum rent, whichever is higher. If your income changes, your rent changes. You must report income changes to the WHA within 30 days. If you earn more money, your rent will increase. If you lose income, your rent will decrease.

With a Housing Choice Voucher, you also pay roughly 30 percent of your income, though the exact amount depends on the voucher program rules and your household's circumstances. The WHA will explain the calculation when you receive your voucher.

How to contact the Worcester Housing Authority

The Worcester Housing Authority is located at 131 Laurel Street, Worcester, MA 01610. You can reach the main office by phone at (508) 798-1659. The WHA website is worcesterhousing.org, though it does not have an online waitlist process — you must explore in person or by mail.

If you want to know whether the public housing or voucher waitlist is open, call the main number and ask to speak with someone in admissions or leasing. They can tell you the current status and what documents you need to explore. If the list is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen; some lists reopen on a set schedule, while others open only when funding becomes available.

The WHA also has a tenant services department that handles lease questions, maintenance requests, and disputes. If you already live in WHA housing or hold a WHA voucher, you can contact tenant services with concerns about your lease or your unit.

Tenant rights and lease rules in WHA housing

If you live in a WHA public housing building, you have a written lease that spells out your rights and responsibilities. The WHA cannot evict you without cause, and it must give you written notice and an opportunity to be heard before removing you. Causes for eviction include non-payment of rent, lease violations (such as unauthorized occupants or criminal activity), or failure to report income changes.

You have the right to a safe, habitable unit. The WHA must make repairs within a reasonable time. If the WHA fails to repair serious problems (such as heat, water, or structural damage), you may have the right to withhold rent or break the lease, though you should contact a legal aid organization before doing so, because the rules are complex and vary by situation.

If you hold a Housing Choice Voucher, your rights depend partly on your lease with the private landlord and partly on WHA rules. The landlord must follow state and local housing law, and the WHA must approve the lease. If the landlord violates the lease or housing code, you can file a complaint with the WHA or with the city's inspectional services department. The WHA can also terminate your voucher if you violate the program rules, such as by not reporting income changes or by allowing unauthorized occupants.

What to do if you are having problems with the WHA

If you have a maintenance problem in your WHA apartment, submit a work order in writing or by phone to the WHA maintenance department. Keep a copy of your request and note the date. If the WHA does not respond within a reasonable time (usually 14 to 30 days depending on the urgency), follow up in writing and send it certified mail so you have proof of delivery.

If you disagree with a rent increase, an income calculation, or a lease violation notice, you have the right to request a hearing. The WHA must give you written notice of the hearing date and the reason for the action. You can bring a representative, present evidence, and ask questions. Contact the WHA's tenant services or administrative office to request a hearing.

If you believe the WHA has violated your rights or broken its own rules, you can file a complaint with the WHA's management office or with the state's Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Legal aid organizations in Worcester, such as Community Legal Aid, also handle WHA disputes and can advise you on your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waitlist for WHA public housing?

Wait times vary by property and change based on how many people are on the list and how many units become available. Some properties have waits of one to two years; others may be longer. The only way to know is to call the WHA at (508) 798-1659 and ask about the specific building you are interested in.

Can I explore for a Housing Choice Voucher if I am already on the public housing waitlist?

Yes. The two programs have separate waitlists, and you can be on both at the same time. However, both lists are often closed, so you may not be able to add your name to either one right now. Call the WHA to confirm which lists are currently open.

What happens to my rent if my income goes down?

Your rent will decrease. In WHA public housing, rent is 30 percent of your gross income. If you lose a job or your income drops, you must report the change to the WHA within 30 days. Your new rent will be recalculated based on your new income, and you will pay less starting with your next lease renewal or the next billing period.

Can the WHA evict me without a hearing?

No. The WHA must give you written notice of the reason for eviction, and you have the right to request a hearing before the WHA can remove you. You can present your side of the story and bring evidence or a representative. If you receive an eviction notice, contact the WHA's tenant services or a legal aid organization when ready.

What if my landlord will not accept my Housing Choice Voucher?

Landlords are not required to accept vouchers, so they can legally refuse. However, some cities and states have passed laws that limit this refusal. Massachusetts does not have a statewide ban on voucher discrimination, but Worcester may have local rules. Contact the WHA or the city's fair housing office to ask whether local law protects voucher holders in your situation.