Resident Service Programs

Adult Education

WHA in partnership with Quinsigamond Community College provides a HiSET and GED  class for adult residents seeking to obtain their high school certificate or GED. Students receive assistance and instruction preparing them for the HISET (GED) test taking. All supplies and materials are covered. Students meet weekly throughout the academic year Tuesday –Thursday from 9:00am until 12:00pm at 35 Great Brook Valley Avenue. Interested WHA residents can register with the Resident Services Office or call 508-635-3306.

Senior Center Transportation

WHA offers free transportation for residents to the Worcester Senior Center at 128 Providence Street. Funded through a grant from the City of Worcester, this program makes it easy for residents to stay active, social, and connected. Transportation is available Tuesday through Friday with scheduled pick-up and drop-off times. All vehicles are wheelchair accessible.

Pick-up Schedule

• Webster Square Towers – 8:30 a.m.
• Elm Park Tower – 8:45 a.m.
• Greenwood Gardens – 9:15 a.m.
• Belmont Tower – 9:15 a.m.
• Lincoln Park Tower – 9:30 a.m.

Return Trips from the Senior Center

• 12:20 p.m.

At the Senior Center, residents can enjoy a variety of daily and weekly activities, including classes, social events, games, and wellness programs. Lunch is served daily for $2.50. To explore the latest schedule, visit the Senior Center .

Weather Policy

WHA follows the Worcester Public Schools closure schedule. If schools are closed, transportation will not run. During a two-hour delay, the following adjusted schedule will apply:

Walmart Transportation

In addition to Senior Center trips, WHA also offers free Walmart Transportation every Monday for residents. This service provides an opportunity to shop for groceries, prescriptions, and other essential items with convenient round-trip service from your building.

Pick-up Schedule

• Webster Square Towers – 8:30am
• Elm Park Tower – 8:45am
• Greenwood Gardens – 9:00am
• Belmont Tower – 9:15am
• Lincoln Park Tower – 9:30am

Return Trip

Leave Walmart at 10:00am or 11:00am.

Pet Clinic

WHA’s Pet Clinic, offered in collaboration with Tufts University’s Lerner Clinic, provides residents with free basic pet care right in their community. Services include nail clipping, physical exams, vaccines, blood draws, topical medications, and antibiotics at no cost to residents.

For services that cannot be performed on site, residents receive referrals and full transportation vouchers to the Tufts at Tech Clinic at Worcester Vocational School. Spay and neuter services are completely free, and when major medical care or surgery is needed, vouchers are available to help reduce costs.

Residents can check their WHA Monthly Resident Calendar for upcoming Pet Clinic dates and locations to help keep their pets healthy and happy.

Wellness Fairs & Vaccine Clinics

WHA’s Wellness Fairs and Vaccine Clinics bring vital health services directly to our residents each year. These events offer basic health screenings across multiple WHA properties, helping residents stay informed and proactive about their well-being.

Through partnerships with a variety of community health agencies, residents can also connect to additional support such as case management, transportation assistance, and in-home health care.

Residents are encouraged to check their monthly calendars for upcoming Wellness Fair and Vaccine Clinic dates, and take advantage of these convenient, community-based health resources.

Mobile Markets

In partnership with the Regional Environmental Council (REC) all year round, the Worcester Housing Authority hosts mobile farmers markets at select sites. Weekly, the mobile vehicle arrives on site and provides a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables for purchase. Residents and community members can use cash, SNAP, HIP, WIC, Senior Coupons, Credit, and Debit to make purchases. Bring a SNAP (Food Stamps) card, to the market to get $40-$80 of produce for free each month. Just make sure to have at least 1 cent left on the card. Check the Mobile Farmers Market schedule here:

Farmers Market Coupons

Each year, the Worcester Housing Authority distributes  out farmers market vouchers for seniors living in public housing to spend at the farmers markets. You can look out for communication about distribution events in late July. A special phone number to sign up for the coupons will be posted around this time.

Community Gardens

WHA in partnership with the Regional Environmental Council (REC) provide garden beds, compost and seedlings to residents who are interested in gardening and growing fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers at four WHA properties. The REC assists our residents with gardening support and tips. This collaboration between WHA and REC allows residents to grow their own food during the summer months creating beautiful and meaningful garden spaces within their communities.

Food Pantry

On a monthly basis WHA provides food pantry bags to fifteen of our housing sites. We deliver food to the doors of each resident who is signed up for the service. Each bag contains food that can supplement meals which includes rice, pasta, canned meat, canned soups, beans and other non-perishable food. Residents sign-up for this service during our annual registration held during the summer and fall months. Residents may also contact the Resident Services Department at 508-635-3306 to request an application throughout the year.

Emergency Food Pantry Service

The Worcester Housing Authority has a small stock of emergency food to deliver in case of emergent food need. Residents in Public Housing or Section 8 can call Resident Services at 508-635-3306 and request a food bag to be brought to their door.

Free Fridge

The Worcester Housing Authority provides free community fridge program at Murray & Wellington Apartments. The fridge is stocked weekly, and residents are able to visit the fridge each week to pick up a few food items. Residents are encouraged to donate food to the fridge when they can, and take food when they need. Common food items include meat, vegetables, fruits, cheese, milk, and bread. Call Resident Services at 508-635-3306 or talk to the resident council for more information.

Resident Councils

Resident Councils bring neighbors together to strengthen and celebrate their community! Each council is made up of elected residents who take the lead in planning activities like educational workshops, fun potlucks, cookouts, and festive holiday gatherings. Every event is shaped by the interests and energy of the community it serves.

Resident Councils also play an important role in representing their development at the Jurisdiction Wide Resident Council (JWRC), a group that works directly with WHA to share resident feedback, ideas, and community needs.

If you’re interested in getting involved, connect with your Resident Council leaders or reach out to Resident Services at 508-635-3306 to learn how you can make a difference in your community!

Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS)

ROSS provides residents with assistance, support and referrals without the long-term involvement required by other programs. These services include, but are not limited to, enrolling in ESL/Hi-SET, applying for Mass Health, referral for PCA or Home Health Aide, assistance with budgeting, creating a professional resume, applying for employment. To request ROSS Services please contact the Resident Services Office at 508-635-3306.

Resident Service Coordinator

Our senior and senior/disabled communities have the services of a professional trained Resident Service Coordinator. Each of our coordinators holds regular office hours and is available to assist any resident who thinks that he or she might benefit from their assistance.