A collection of stories sharing Worcester community member’s experiences with accessing affordable housing
The story archive is a platform which amplifies the voices of Worcester residents who have lived experience of housing insecurity with the goal to share these stories and advocate for change in our Worcester housing system.
The Center on Food Equity in Worcester, MA values the lived experiences of our community members who have faced housing insecurity. We want to uplift the voices of these community members, learn from them, and show others members of the community what is happening in their home. The stories in this archive are by and for the Worcester community, and can be used to advocate for change in the Worcester housing access environment.
Storytelling is a powerful method for humanizing complex issues such as housing insecurity. Stories connect us to each other, and they have the power to change story listeners’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors through the emotion and relatability they provide. We hope that this archive will be used by the community to help advocate for change in housing access when needed, whether that be in local Worcester communities or at the state-level. Sharing these stories at work meetings, with city council members, or with MA legislators may be some influential places to start.
This archive presents a collection of stories from Worcester community members in the five priority areas which the Coalition for a Healthy Greater Worcester has identified as most important for change to occur in, based on the 2021-2026 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). Descriptions of the four priority areas are listed below, and the stories that we have collected in those priority areas are shared there.
Please click on one of the five priority areas to see the description and stories that accompany that area.
These stories show the impacts of the inadequate amount of and long wait-times for Section 8 and other housing vouchers. Voucher programs such as section 8 which are provided in a timely manner give the most vulnerable Worcester residents a safety net which they desperately need. Transitional housing programs also help alleviate the burden of waiting times for section 8 housing. Households with a housing voucher may have decreased financial stress and more money to improve their health.
Impact: These stories can be used to advocate for more designated Section 8 housing vouchers to be available for Worcester residents and for the drastic reduction of the waitlist for section 8 housing vouchers as a result of expansion and increased funding for section 8.
Cheryl describes herself as a middle-aged single mother just trying to get by. She is a resourceful and caring mother, and was eager to see change happen within Worcester that makes accessing resources easier. You can listen to Cheryl’s story about Section 8 housing below. Subtitles are available through settings on the YouTube video.
We were able to get housing because we got a hope voucher from Community Health Link
Cheryl, on housing vouchers
Kenny Powers is a hardworking and dedicated dad in Worcester, working two full-time jobs to get by. You can hear Kenny’s story about Section 8 housing below. Note that Kenny Powers is a pseudonym chosen by the storyteller to keep their identity anonymous. Subtitles are used in this video because the audio quality is poor.
I had a full-fledged relapse, and unfortunately I had to move out of the Section 8 housing that was obtained by my daughter’s mother. I didn’t know what I was gonna do…I had to be on my own to pay rent.
Kenny Powers, on Section 8 housing
At the end of the day, I barely had money for me…it was very discouraging, and I think that had a lot to do with the relapse as well.
These stories show the impacts of rising rent prices on the health of Worcester residents. In 2020, 50.5% of all households in Worcester were cost-burdened (spend more than 30% of gross income on housing costs). Cost-burdened housing forces people to choose between housing and other necessities for one’s health such as nutrition, healthcare services, transportation, etc. If rent continues to increase, Worcester residents will become more cost-burdened and their health will be further impacted.
Impact: These stories can be used to advocate for the ballot initiative to enact rent stabilization across the entire state to be passed, which would mean capped annual rent increases in all cities and towns in Massachusetts (including Worcester) at the rate of inflation, up to a maximum of 5%” (source ). This rent stabilization would apply even when apartments turn over, so landlords would be unable to hike prices in between tenants.
Marlon is a Worcester resident of 12 years and a teacher. He wants it to be easier for people to afford rent, so that they can save for owning their own property one day. You can listen to Marlon’s story about rent control below by either watching the short feature video or the full story. Subtitles are available through settings on the Youtube video.
It’s demoralizing, it’s frustrating to think rent, it’s so high – it’s as high as paying for your own property.
Marlon, on rent control
I’m an immigrant, so I can’t even think of getting a mortgage again, because the administration doesn’t allow immigrants to get a mortgage.
An entire paycheck would just go, for rent.
Cheryl describes herself as a middle-aged single mother just trying to get by. She is a resourceful and caring mother, and was eager to see change happen within Worcester that makes accessing resources easier. You can listen to Cheryl’s story about rent control below. Subtitles are available through settings on the YouTube video.
We just had to renew a lease…my landlord raised the rent from $1,490 to $1,825 in one shot…who can afford three hundred extra dollars?
Cheryl, on rent control
We’re gonna have to try to figure out food, and pay the rent, and how to do laundry, and every other thing…It’s gonna be difficult and we’re gonna have to switch a lot of things around and I’m probably gonna go into further debt, just to live.
Kenneth is a supportive and dedicated member of the Worcester community. He moved to Worcester from Boston, and has turned his life around in just a year’s time. You can choose to listen to a feature story from Kenneth, or his full story. Subtitles are available through settings on the YouTube video.
I’m on disability, and I don’t get too much money. If I was in here and had to pay anything close to market rates, it would drain me. I wouldn’t have money for food, clothes, transportation, or anything.
Kenneth, on rent control
Having housing, I’m not wandering the streets, I’m not involved in any of the activities out on the streets or anything out there. I do what I have to do to maintain what I have because I’m very appreciative and grateful for it.
I signed up [for Section 8 housing] in May of 2018 when I got out of prison…I called during Covid to see where I was on the list. That was in 2020 – they told me they was still in like 2009. So I was like wow…I’m going to be homeless for a long time.
Kenneth, on rent control
Kenny Powers is a hardworking and dedicated dad in Worcester, working two full-time jobs to get by. You can hear Kenny’s story about rent control below. Note that Kenny Powers is a pseudonym chosen by the storyteller to keep their identity anonymous. Subtitles are used in this video because the audio quality is poor.
“I wish people understood what it felt like to come from an urban setting where they take, take, take, take, take and expect you to give, give, give, give, and give. There’s no reciprocating.
Kenny Powers, on rent control
These stories show the impacts of the lack of affordable and accessible/adaptable housing that is available in Worcester. The stories share experiences about how not having accessible housing when it is needed impacts the health and independence of people with disabilities and their families. The storytellers also share their aspirations for the future of Worcester and calls to action that they believe everyone can take today.
Impact: These stories can be used to advocate for an increase in the availability of adaptable/accessible low-income housing tax credits (10% to 15%) and decrease the waitlist for adaptable/accessible housing units among the Worcester housing authority and Section 8 housing vouchers.
Jorge is a father, local business owner, and survivor of gun violence. He advocates for and motivates others who are in wheelchairs like him or who have other disabilities that make mobility challenging. You can choose to listen to a feature story from Jorge, or his full story. Subtitles are available through settings on the YouTube video.
Accessible housing means to me in my everyday life basic needs, quality of freedom and independence.
Jorge, on accesible housing
In the last thirty years I’ve never had an accessible apartment.
Individuals at all levels of their lives should be able to be free, to make decisions, and accommodate themselves in a way where it empowers them…to feel like they’re part of a solution and not part of a problem
I just pray that everybody pays attention, and just see what you can do. The minimum that we can do is just spread the word, give some awareness
Marcelino is a father and business owner of the Wheels on the Bus, a transportation service for wheelchair users. He wants wheelchair users to have the same freedom and access to resources as everyone else. You can choose to listen to a feature story from Marcelino or his full story. Subtitles are available through settings on the Youtube video.
Here is the link to a page on Marcelino’s business website, where he shares resources for people with disabilities:
So now I’m paralyzed, dealing with bedsores…in a small apartment, where I literally would go from my bed to my chair. I couldn’t even do a 360 in that apartment, that’s how cramped it was…but I was grateful.
Marcelino, on accessible housing
Who cares if we’re wheelchair users or we have a disability? We have a right to contribute to this economy and we have a right to be able to part of the society and the community.
Seeing how underserved this community and this population is and has been, I can’t just sit back, especially when I feel like the resources that I have, everyone should be able to receive those resources.
These stories show the impacts of housing foreclosures and evictions on peoples lives and health. According to the founder of the Worcester-Anti Foreclosure Team, housing Court eviction cases are being adjudicated with no due process rules or rights, folks are being evicted with no court case at all, and there are violent evictions by those lacking legal authorization to carry them out.
Impact: These stories can be used to advocate for a decreased number of foreclosures, for proper rules and rights in eviction cases to be followed, and for legal authorization and appropriate licenses before evictions.
Joe is a strong, persistent, and caring member of the Worcester community. He has spent the past several years fighting an unfair eviction and dealing with the court. You can choose to listen to a feature story from Joe, or his full story. Subtitles are available through settings on the YouTube video.
I was paying the mortgage faithfully every month, then they just stopped taking my money.
Joe, on housing foreclosures and evictions
They just totally went in and destroyed the place. It was sad. I used to drive by every once in a while, but now I can’t take it. I can’t go by there and see somebody else living in my house.
I’m on like 4 or 5 medications because of it – just to stay calm because the stress of it is just so much, and it’s so tiring, even just to think of it.
He [the judge] denied everything that I had filed, denied most of it without even reading it, denied most of it without a hearing. Didn’t give me a chance to explain.
Joe, on housing foreclosures and evictions
Me and my cat lived in my car for nine months.
All I have is my clothes, pretty much. And what I was able to get into a U-Haul before they took the house.
“Gentrification can be defined as the process through which communities with relatively low- and moderate-incomes experience a rapid rise in their relative socioeconomic position( source).” These stories show the impacts of gentrification in Worcester and how displacement of Worcester residents will impact their health.
Impact: These stories can be used to advocate for Worcester neighborhoods targeted for gentrification to be released from plans so that residents can maintain their housing prices in a place they are used to living and working.
Check back here soon for stories about prevention of gentrification. If you have a story to share about how displacement due to gentrification has affected you, or if you have been affected by gentrification in some other way, please fill out the google form linked at the bottom of this page, or contact Jillian.Lang@tufts.edu.
Cheryl describes herself as a middle-aged single mother just trying to get by. She is a resourceful and caring mother, and was eager to see change happen within Worcester that makes accessing resources easier. You can listen to Cheryl’s story about rent control below. Subtitles are available through settings on the YouTube video.
Everything that you worked hard for and built up in your life, and then to just lose it all, or have to lose it all, is terrifying…I don’t wish it upon anyone.
Cheryl, on displacement
We had everything for our home – and you can’t fit 1600 square feet and stick it into 600 square feet…Of course I couldn’t pay for storage
This archive was created in collaboration by:
