About CMHA
Mission
Recognizing the dignity of all, CMHA mobilizes a comprehensive regional response to homelessness and fosters long-term housing stability through advocacy, education, and direct services.
Vision
A world where everyone has a safe, stable, and healthy place to call home.
Focus Areas
-
Prevention
Early intervention through counseling, mediation, and cash assistance prevents a minor setback from becoming a major housing crisis.
-
Shelter & Safety Net
For people experiencing homelessness, emergency shelter is critical while safety net programs provide ongoing assistance to help move back into housing.
-
Moving Beyond Homelessness
As people transition back into stable housing, access to educational, employment, and other support programs promote long-term housing and economic stability.
-
Public Education & Advocacy
Underlying our work is the fundamental task of learning from the experiences of those we serve, and then educating, building coalitions, and shaping policy to reduce causes of homelessness.
History
The Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance formed in 1994 as the result of a merger of two longstanding housing organizations in Worcester.
The Housing Information Center began as a tenant's rights organizing group and grew in its well-known location on Millbury Street to provide an array of services including tenant/landlord housing counseling and elder home repair programming.
The Worcester Committee on Homelessness and Housing formed in the early 1980's just as homelessness was becoming a visible issue on the streets of Worcester. The Committee’s strong advocacy in the community resulted in the start-up of what is now a well-coordinated homeless shelter and service network in Worcester. The Committee operated one direct service program, the Donations Clearinghouse.