WORCESTER — The Worcester City Council received a report Tuesday night on the city’s ongoing efforts to address homelessness, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges in sheltering unhoused individuals.
The report, presented by Commissioner of Health and Human Services Dr. Matilde Castiel, detailed the increasing demand for shelter, limited housing availability and systemic barriers to assistance.
After an exhaustive discussion delving into the issues, councilors approved several motions to address homelessness before referring them to the Public Health Department.
Rising demand and limited shelter capacity
Since December, Worcester’s shelters, supported by the Southern Middlesex Opportunities Council, have served 159 individuals, providing showers, meals and case management. However, Castiel emphasized that the city’s overall shelter capacity remains inadequate.
Council member Luis Ojeda, who requested the report, stressed the urgency of meeting demand.
“We’re trying to get ahead of this curve,” he said. “We’re doing all we can, but I want to make sure we’re being as efficient as possible.”
Castiel acknowledged a backlog of people in need and is working with other providers to expand shelter options.
“We’ve been looking to figure out how to increase the amount of shelter,” she said. “We’ve wanted to have more transitional housing. Even to find an apartment — you can’t. There’s minimal availability.”
Disparities in homelessness
Councilor Etel Haxhiaj highlighted racial and gender disparities in the homeless population, noting that Black and brown communities are disproportionately affected.
“Homelessness is part of a larger issue,” she said. “The numbers show that in proportion to the city’s population, Black and brown residents experience homelessness at the highest rates.”
Castiel added that while 103 new housing units were planned in 2017, only 40 have been completed.
“Projects are in the works for 2025 and 2026, but that doesn’t stop homelessness from increasing now,” she said.
Systemic barriers and funding challenges
Councilor Khrystian King questioned systemic barriers outlined in the report, including difficulty obtaining identification, case management shortages, and state policy changes that reduced the time individuals can stay in Bridge Shelter programs from nine to six months.
Castiel reported that her department operates with just four dedicated staff members and is looking to hire more.
“We have one recovery coach, one outreach worker, one social worker, and one part-time position that still needs to be filled,” she said.
Worcester has received federal funding, including $358,347 from HUD’s Emergency Solutions Grant and over $1 million from the HOME American Rescue Act. However, officials say more funding is needed to meet demand.
Council motions and next steps
Haxhiaj requested a report on public restrooms and washing stations, an issue she said has been under discussion since the pandemic. “We cannot afford to not provide the basic necessities for folks,” she said.
King moved for a review of the city’s homelessness services department, including staffing and funding needs, and called for additional city funding for the unhoused community.
Mayor Joseph Petty reaffirmed that Worcester is in an emergency situation and needs more housing. While projects such as the 90-unit development on Oriol Drive and the Tiny Houses project on Stafford Street (20 units) are in progress, they are still a year away.
“We are going in the right direction,” Petty said. “Hopefully, we can move some of these projects faster as more funding comes in.”
Steve Smith, a veteran reporter with 17 years at The Hartford Courant, now brings his passion for photojournalism to Worcester. Contact him at steve@stevephotographysmith.com
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