• James Brooks (City Manager Designee)
• Victor Agudelo-Ortiz
• Lucelia DeJesus
• Johanna Hampton-Dance
• Keith Krikorian
• Benetta Kuffour
• Jackson Restrepo
• Gabriel Rodriguez
• Xaulanda Thorpe

• Tony Adade
• Jennifer Marble
• Ivette Olmeda
• Mary Piecewicz
• Jessica Velez
• Sandy Webb

• Eliana Agudelo
• Meg Coffin
• Darshia Diaz-Lugo
• Moses Dixon
• Scott Galbraith
• Tariana Nguyen
• Joel Wallen

• Alissa Briggs
• Roseanne Fitzgerald
• Matthew Freijie
• Jesse Gibson
• Phyllis Macharia
• Utsav Shrestha
• Charlie Washburn

• Ethan Belding
• Chantel Bethea
• Lisa Brennan
• Kathleen Gervais
• Zhani Lito
• Alex Mooradian
• Kerry Whiterell

This program will provide grants to organizations seeking financial support for programs and services addressing mental health issues in Worcester. Organizations can request up to $250,000 for programmatic assistance.

The City of Worcester hosted a technical assistance workshop at City Hall on Wednesday, February 8, 2023.

• Watch the In-Person Technical Assistance Workshop

Submission: Beginning Tuesday, January 17, 2023, we encourage you to submit your application through our online application portal. First time users will need to register before submitting the application.

• Mental Health Support Programs and Services RFP (Word File)
• Budget Guidelines (Word File)
• Budget (Excel File)
• How to Receive Your Unique Entity ID

Apply Now

The application deadline has passed for this program.

Alternatively, and if necessary, a hard copy can be dropped in-person in Room 404 of City Hall.

Questions: Preferred to be sent via email to ARPA@worcesterma.gov or call 508-799-1404.

This program, in partnership with the MassHire Central Region Workforce Board and Worcester Jobs Fund, will provide grants of up to $100,000 to support job training programs in responding to the negative effects of the pandemic.

The City of Worcester hosted a technical assistance workshop in person at City Hall on Thursday, February 16, 2023.

• Watch the In-Person Technical Assistance Workshop

Submission: Applications can be submitted via email to ARPA@worcesterma.gov. Alternatively, and if necessary, a hard copy can be dropped in-person in Room 404 of City Hall.

• Job Training RFP (Word File)
• Attachment B - Budget Form (Excel File)
• Central MA Regional Workforce Blueprint

The application deadline has passed for this program.

Questions: Preferred to be sent via email to ARPA@worcesterma.gov or call 508-799-1404.

This program is designed to assist nonprofit organizations with grant funding to support projects and programs that respond to the negative effects of the pandemic. Proposals for programmatic assistance can request up to $250,000, and proposals for capital improvement projects can request up to $1,000,000.

Technical Assistance Workshops:
The City of Worcester hosted two technical assistance workshops, one in person at City Hall on August 18 and one virtually on August 22, for interested applicants of Community Projects & Programs.

• Watch the In-Person Technical Assistance Workshop
• Watch the Virtual Technical Assistance Workshop
• Technical Assistance Workshop Presentation

Submission: Beginning Monday August 29, 2022, we encourage you to submit your application through our online application portal. First time users will need to register before submitting the application.

• Community Projects & Programs RFP (Word File)
• SHS Budget Guidelines (Word File)
• SHS Budget (Excel File)
• Facilities Budget Guidelines (Word File)
• Facilities Budget (Excel File)
• How to Receive Your Unique Entity ID

Apply Now

Deadline: The application deadline has passed for this program.

Alternatively, and if necessary, a hard copy can be dropped in-person in Room 404 of City Hall.

Questions: Preferred to be sent via email to ARPA@worcesterma.gov or call 508-799-1404.

This program will provide grants to for-profit small businesses that were impacted by the pandemic. Grants will range from $5,000 - $11,500 based on the program guidelines.

Submission: Before beginning the Business Safety Net Grant application, you must register your business with Sam.gov to receive a Unique Entity ID (UEI). All businesses who plan to apply to the Business Safety Net Grant must have a UEI number when submitting.

Please see the PowerPoint Presentation below for step-by-step assistance for registering and receiving a UEI:

• Unique Entity Identifier Guide

Beginning Monday August 29, 2022, we encourage you to submit your application through our online application portal. First time users will need to register before submitting the application.

• Small Business Safety Net Application | Español
• Fillable W-9 Form (Required for Grant Submission)

Apply Now

Deadline: The application deadline has passed for this program.

Alternatively, and if necessary, a hard copy can be dropped in-person in Room 404 of City Hall.

Questions: Preferred to be sent via email to ARPA@worcesterma.gov or call 508-799-1404.

This program will provide grants to community based organizations, nonprofits or community collaborations to provide targeted assistance to small business COVID-19 recovery. Applicants can request up to $100,000 based on the program guidelines.

Submission: Beginning Monday August 29, 2022, we encourage you to submit your application through our online application portal. First time users will need to register before submitting the application.

• Small Business Technical Assistance Application
• Small Business Technical Assistance Budget Form Template (Excel File)

Apply Now

Deadline: The application deadline has passed for this program.

Alternatively, and if necessary, a hard copy can be dropped in-person in Room 404 of City Hall.

Questions: Preferred to be sent via email to ARPA@worcesterma.gov or call 508-799-1404.

This program will provide grants to property owners to abate lead paint hazards in residential properties built prior to 1978. Grant amounts are up to $15,000 per eligible unit.

Submission: Applications can be submitted via email to ARPAhousing@worcesterma.gov or a hard copy can be dropped in-person in Room 404 of City Hall.

Lead Abatement Application

Questions: Preferred to be sent via email to ARPAhousing@worcesterma.gov or call 508-799-1404.

This grant will allow eligible developers to build 1st time homeownership opportunities in the 16 census tracts with less than a 30% homeownership rate. Grant amounts up to $100,000 are available to eligible 1-4 unit homeownership projects.

Submission: Applications for this program are being accepted on a rolling basis. Applications can be submitted via email to ARPAhousing@worcesterma.gov or a hard copy can be dropped in-person in Room 404 of City Hall.

1st Time Homeownership Development Application

Questions: Preferred to be sent via email to ARPAhousing@worcesterma.gov or call 508-799-1404.

This program will provide grants to owner-occupied properties to assist in addressing building or sanitary code violations. Grant amounts are up to $30,000 per eligible unit.

Please note the eligibility requirement of addressing building or sanitary code violations.

Submission: Beginning Monday August 29, 2022, we encourage you to submit your application through our online application portal. First time users will need to register before submitting the application.

• Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Application

Apply Now

Alternatively, and if necessary, a hard copy can be dropped in-person in Room 404 of City Hall.

Questions: Preferred to be sent via email to ARPAhousing@worcesterma.gov or call 508-799-1404.

This program is designed to assist owner-occupied properties that are located in flood zone. Grants are provided in amount of 50% of the annual flood insurance premium cost.

Submission: Applications for this program are being accepted on a rolling basis. Applications can be submitted via email to ARPAhousing@worcesterma.gov or a hard copy can be dropped in-person in Room 404 of City Hall.

• Flood Insurance Assistance Application | Español

Questions: Preferred to be sent via email to ARPAhousing@worcesterma.gov or call 508-799-1404.

This grant will allow eligible developers to create affordable rental housing units and first-time homeownership opportunities through either new construction or substantial rehabilitation. The grant will provide up to 25% of the total development cost, or up to $150,000 per affordable housing unit developed, whichever is less.

Submission: Applications for this program are being accepted on a rolling basis. Please refer to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund RFP for application requirements.

• Affordable Housing Trust Fund Development Request for Proposals - PDF File | Word File
• AHTF Underwriting Application Forms (Spreadsheet File)

Questions: Preferred to be sent to Jeanette Tozer, Affordable Housing Trust Fund Manager, via email to tozerj@worcesterma.gov or call 508-799-1400 ext. 31438.

The City is aware that many residents and families in Worcester have struggled to keep up with rent and other financial obligations due to the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising rents throughout the city and Commonwealth. Given this, the City recognizes that additional efforts are needed to preserve the "informal" or "naturally occurring" affordable housing stock in the city. These units have affordable rents but are not deed restricted, so they are not part of the official affordable housing stock measured by the Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI). The AHP Program will provide grants to owners who control these "naturally occurring" affordable units to preserve the affordable rent levels into the future.

The maximum grant amount for this program is $15,000.00 per affordable dwelling unit. Up to six (6) affordable dwelling units per eligible owner in exchange for a 15-year deed restriction for households earning 60% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI). Properties held in trusts or LLCs are limited to six (6) affordable dwelling units where common ownership is greater than 50% in separate entities.

Information Session: There will be an information session on Sept 27 at 4 p.m. in the Levi Lincoln Room of City Hall.

Submission: Applications for this program are being accepted on a rolling basis. After your pre-application meeting, applications can be submitted via email to ARPAhousing@worcesterma.gov or a hard copy can be dropped in-person in Room 404 of City Hall.

Pre-Application Meeting: All applicants are required to meet with City of Worcester Housing Development Division staff before submitting an application.

• Affordable Housing Preservation Program Application - PDF File

Questions: Preferred to be sent to Jeanette Tozer, Affordable Housing Trust Fund Manager, via email to tozerj@worcesterma.gov or call 508-799-1400 ext. 31438.

In order to identify and properly qualify residents most at risk of eviction, the City of Worcester’s Housing Development Division requests the assistance of approximately three (3) qualified local housing and social service agencies to administer the aforementioned rental assistance program by qualifying, approving and disbursing funding to tenants. The goal is to assist up to 128 total residents at risk of eviction.

Submission: Applications can be submitted via email to brooksj@worcesterma.gov or mailed to
City of Worcester Executive Office of Economic Development
Neighborhood and Housing Development Division
City Hall, 4th Floor
455 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608

• ARPA Emergency Rental Assistance Request for Qualifications - PDF File

Deadline: The application deadline has passed for this program.

Questions: Any questions prior to June 16, 2023 should be in writing to James Brooks, Director of Housing Development at brooksj@worcesterma.gov.

This program will provide grants of up to $12,500 to community-based organizations, associations or community collaborations to support the costs (and remove barriers) to support outdoor cultural festivals, events and gatherings that are open to the public.

Submission: Applications can be submitted via email to ARPA@worcesterma.gov.

• Community/Cultural Festival Grants Application (Word File)
• Fillable W-9 Form (Required for Grant Submission)

Alternatively, and if necessary, a hard copy can be dropped in-person in Room 404 of City Hall.

Funding for this program is fully committed at this time.

Questions: Preferred to be sent via email to ARPA@worcesterma.gov or call 508-799-1404.

In order to identify and properly qualify eligible 1st time homebuyers, the City of Worcester's Housing Development Division requests the assistance of a qualified local Community Development Financial Institution to administer the ARPA Downpayment Assistance Program by qualifying, approving and disbursing funding to eligible 1st time homebuyers purchasing a home in the City. The goal of the program is to provide downpayment and closing cost assistance to an estimated 36 residents.

Submission: The City of Worcester's Executive Office of Economic Development's Housing Development Division is requesting interested organizations submit their qualifications to each question on organizational letterhead in the following areas:

1. The ability to communicate in multiple languages.
2. Capacity to produce and distribute various outreach materials and application packages to diverse populations throughout the City.
3. Previous experience with purchaser, Realtor and closing attorney coordination and communication.
4. Describe the agency's previous experience adhering to federal and state fair housing regulations.
5. Ability to engage with diverse populations throughout the City to communicate the availability of downpayment assistance.
6. The total number of projected homeowners over a one-year period the organization could provide downpayment assistance with their current capacity.
7. Demonstrate the financial capacity to provide clients with immediate eligible payments at transaction closing while awaiting reimbursement from this contract.
8. Ability to adhere to privacy regulations regarding confidentiality of information.
9. Ability to begin this contract on or before August 1, 2023.
10. Ability to have a representative attend monthly coordination meetings.
11. In addition to the above, the organization must submit insurance with a minimum liability policy of $1,000,000 and worker's compensation insurance if applicable. In addition, the organization must be listed on SAM.gov and not flagged for exclusion from federal contracts.

Submissions can be sent via email to brooksj@worcesterma.gov or a hard copy can be dropped in-person in Room 404 of City Hall prior to July 14, 2023 at 4 p.m.

Downpayment Assistance RFQ

Questions: Preferred to be sent via email prior to July 14, 2023 to brooksj@worcesterma.gov.