Worcester Housing Authority

10/16/2026

💉 ACTING WITH AN EYE ON EMPLOYEE WELLNESS! 💙

A healthy workforce is a stronger workforce! WHA’s employee vaccination clinics are one way we’re working to support the health and well-being of our team.

Partnering with a local provider, we recently offered employees vaccinations for flu, COVID-19 and other illnesses.

As a thank-you for participating, employees also received a gift card! 🎁

’Tis the season to take care of yourself and help keep our workplace healthy! 💙

10/16/2026

🌟 HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH: PARTNERS IN HOUSING 💙

🏠 This Hispanic Heritage Month, WHA celebrates resident Carmen Sanchez, a proud Puerto Rican who moved to Worcester at age 14 and grew up to become a powerful advocate for Great Brook Valley.

🤝 As president of Valley Residents for Improvement (VRI), Carmen championed better conditions, more resources for families, a food pantry and afterschool programming. She led marches with children, stood up for neighborhood safety. and worked with WHA leaders and community partners to make a difference.

🎁 Her commitment went beyond advocacy. Carmen helped neighbors in need with toys, Thanksgiving turkeys, Christmas hams and more.

💬 “I’m really proud of what I have achieved in my life,” Carmen said, “especially in the Valley.”

👏 Thank you, Carmen, for your decades of advocacy, generosity and dedication to Great Brook Valley. Our community is stronger because of you!

10/15/2026

❤️ HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH: MEET PAULA BARNEY

🏡 Paula Barney has experienced WHA from both sides: first as a resident of Great Brook Valley and Curtis Apartments, and now as a dedicated WHA employee. Her journey gives her a unique perspective as a property manager and a special connection to the residents she serves.

💃 Growing up, Paula loved spending time with friends in GBV and Curtis, especially as a member of PYT (Pretty Young Things), a dance group that performed at local events and nursing homes.

“We considered ourselves a family,” Paula recalled, describing the community as “amazing.”

💙 That connection inspired her to join WHA in 1999 as a principal clerk. She became an assistant housing manager in 2005, returning to the community where her own story began.

“I am so proud to have been part of the GBV community,” Paula said. “That is what made me want to become an employee at WHA, being able to help others that are now residents of the community I once was a part of.”

👏 We’re proud to call you part of the WHA family, Paula! Thank you for bringing your experience, compassion and dedication to the residents you serve every day.

10/15/2026

We were happy to share one of the many stories we have to tell at WHA with Boston 25 News and its audiences.

If you haven't seen this story yet, give it a watch and a read. And spread the word: WHA is changing lives!

10/14/2026

🏘️ PART OF THE COMMUNITY! 🎙️

WHA CEO Alex Corrales was excited to join Unity 97.9 FM and Ernie Floyd to share his journey to leading the second-largest housing authority in New England and discuss the important role WHA plays in our community.

🏡 From providing affordable housing to creating opportunities and building brighter futures, WHA is committed to making a lasting difference in the lives of Worcester residents.

🤝 We’re proud to be part of the conversation and part of the community we serve!

10/14/2026

🌟 HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH: PARTNERS IN HOUSING 🌟

During Hispanic Heritage Month, WHA is proud to recognize retired Juvenile Court Judge Luis Perez and his lasting impact on Great Brook Valley and the WHA community. 💙

Long before becoming a lawyer and judge, Perez was an advocate for GBV residents. As a law student, he worked with Worcester Legal Services and residents on concerns about segregation in public housing, helping lead to changes in how tenants were selected.

His advocacy continued for decades. Working alongside residents and WHA officials, Perez helped challenge the negative image of GBV and championed efforts that brought greater attention, opportunity and services to the community.

He remembers a time when “nobody wanted to go to the Valley. I’d say, ‘What? I walk through the Valley! I go to meetings there! Let’s shift the image.”

Today, Perez looks with pride at how far GBV has come.

“What a big change I’ve seen for the good at the Valley,” Perez said. “So many amazing things are happening there and it will not be the Valley I knew. I applaud what has taken place in the Valley and throughout the WHA.”

🏡 From the creation of a housing court in Worcester to the growth of youth and community programs, Perez has remained committed to helping families and strengthening Worcester neighborhoods.

👏 Judge Perez, we thank you for your lifelong advocacy, your partnership with residents and your enduring belief in the people of Great Brook Valley and WHA.
Your impact is part of the Valley’s history and its future. 💙

10/13/2026

🌟 HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH: PARTNERS IN HOUSING 🌟

During Hispanic Heritage Month, WHA is proud to recognize and thank Massachusetts Housing Secretary Juana Matias, a proud Dominican American, for her leadership, partnership and commitment to expanding affordable housing across the Commonwealth.

Secretary Matias has been a valued partner to WHA since her time as HUD’s Regional Administrator for New England, where she oversaw federal housing programs across the six New England states. Today, she is making history as Massachusetts’ first Latina Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities. 👏

🤝 Her connection to WHA began years ago with a visit to Great Brook Valley Gardens, where she joined us for a backpack giveaway and spent time with our children and families.

🏡 Since then, she has continued to support WHA’s mission through major initiatives including A Place to Live at 38 Lewis Street, the transformative redevelopment of Curtis Apartments, and the revitalization of Lakeside Apartments.

Most recently, Secretary Matias returned to 38 Lewis Street as Housing Secretary, meeting with WHA residents, hearing their stories and seeing firsthand the impact of stable housing and supportive services.

💙 Thank you, Secretary Matias, for your leadership, partnership and commitment to the people we serve. We are proud to have you as a partner in building stronger communities and better futures through housing.

10/12/2026

📺 WHA IN THE NEWS!

For WHA, it has never been just about putting a roof over someone’s head. It’s about building futures, creating opportunities, and helping residents achieve goals they may have once thought were out of reach.

Check out this story from Boston 25 News featuring two participants in our self-sufficiency programs who have taken important steps toward financial independence, homeownership, and a better future for their families.

Their stories show what’s possible when people have the right tools, guidance, and support. They also highlight how WHA is helping change the narrative around affordable housing.

We’re not just providing housing. We’re helping people build a future. 🏡👏

The Worcester Housing Authority says its programs are helping families build a future beyond public housing by providing financial education, career support and incentives to help residents reach their goals.

10/09/2026

🌟 HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH: PARTNERS IN HOUSING 🌟

🏠 During Hispanic Heritage Month, WHA is proud to celebrate the employees and residents who make our community stronger. We’re also recognizing community partners who are helping make affordable housing a priority in Worcester.

Today, we recognize Worcester City Manager Eric D. Batista, the city’s first Latino City Manager and a proud Puerto Rican, for his strong partnership with WHA and his commitment to expanding housing opportunities.

🤝 Under his leadership, the City has continued to support affordable housing, including through the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which recently awarded $600,000 toward Phase 3 of WHA’s Lakeside Apartments redevelopment, helping create 38 net new affordable homes.

🏗️ The City and WHA are also partnering on an exciting new addition to The Phoenix at Curtis. The City of Worcester and Worcester Public Library are working with WHA to bring an all-new Worcester Public Library branch to the Economic Opportunity Center, creating another valuable resource for residents and the surrounding community.

💙 Strong housing communities are built through strong partnerships. We are grateful to City Manager Batista and the City of Worcester for working alongside WHA to create quality homes, expand opportunity and improve the lives of Worcester residents.

🙌 Thank you, City Manager Batista, for your leadership, partnership and commitment to a stronger Worcester!