City of Worcester, MA

WORCESTER, Mass. – South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) is partnering with the City of Worcester, and the City of Leominster, to shelter 101 unhoused individuals from Dec. 1 until April 30, 2027.

SMOC was awarded an $860,535 grant from the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) that will fund 49 additional beds for unhoused men on the second floor of SMOC’s Queen Street shelter and 32 beds at SMOC’s women shelter on Chandler Street. 

In Leominster, the grant will be used to open 10 additional rooms at the former Days Inn for 20 additional individuals at the SMOC-operated shelter on Main Street.   

“As a longtime community partner of the cities of Worcester and Leominster, SMOC remains committed to helping unhoused individuals during the coldest months of the year,” said SMOC President and CEO Susan Gentili. “Our priority remains the same: to connect these individuals with the support services they need to obtain stable housing and independence. We are honored to be a part of this important community effort.” 

“This funding is critical to helping ensure people are not outside in the elements during our cold winter nights,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista. “Thank you to SMOC for its continued commitment to providing relief for the unhoused population and prioritizing their connection to services along with the EOHLC for ensuring that funding would enable expanded shelter capacity in Worcester through a community partner with demonstrated success.”

In addition to providing shelter capacity, the EOHLC grant will also fund staffing, daily meals, and support services at each shelter site.  

Concurrently, the City of Worcester is reviewing applications in response to its Request for Proposals for Opioid Settlement Funding released on Oct. 2, 2026. This funding aims to increase supportive services for homeless populations and help further expand seasonal shelter if needed.

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