Record Details:

Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance (CMHA) ~ Donations Clearinghouse (DCH)

	Latitude:	42.260593
	Longitude:	-71.816715

Main/General Business Number: (508) 791-7265
Website: http://www.cmhaonline.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=54&Itemid=105


Mission: Founded in 1985, the DCH is a simple and unique furniture program that provides donated items of furniture and household goods to families and individuals moving out of shelter to permanent housing, victims of fire, or those fleeing domestic violence, DSS reunification and elders at risk. Household items are distributed to them free of charge.


Eligibility For Services:Referral by Caseworker



This organization provides Temporary or Permanent Service? Temporary

Notes:

Furniture and other household goods available.

Walk-Ins Schedule:

Tuesdays, 9:30am-11:30am & 1:00pm-4:00pm
Wednesdays, 1:00pm-4:00pm
Thursdays, 9:30am-11:30am & 1:00pm-4:00pm

No Monday or Friday walk-in Hours

Eligibility:

Moving from Shelter to Permanent Housing
Domestic Violence
DSS Reunification
Elders At Risk
Fire and/or Flood Victim

Home repairs

Worcester senior homeowners can get help with home repairs from the Elder Home Repair program of the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance (CMHA). To qualify, homeowners must:

* be 60 years of age or older
* live in the house that needs repair
* need home repairs to correct unsafe housing

Elder Home Repair will make basic repairs, such as fixing stairs, doors, and ceilings, or minor plumbing and electrical problems. In most cases, homeowners must provide or pay for materials. Labor is free, but contributions are welcome.

To apply, call the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance (CMHA) at 508-755-1105. Repairs are usually scheduled on a first come, first served basis, unless there is an emergency. For more information, see Elder Home Repair.

Pet care

Cat and dog owners who cannot afford medical care for their pets can get help from the Second Chance Fund for Animal Welfare (SCFAW). SCFAW provides help in these ways:

*

Spaying and neutering: SCFAW has "CatSNIP" spay/neuter clinics for pet cats, and a spay/neuter clinic and voucher program for stray/feral cats. Vaccinations are also provided if needed. Dog owners are referred to the Clinton Veterinary Hospital Canine Voucher Program.

Fees are affordable. For a schedule of fees and more information, see CatSNIP Clinics.
*

Medical care for seriously ill or injured pets: Scratch's Patch-Up Fund (SPUF) helps pet owners whose dogs or cats are facing a medical crisis and who do not have the money to pay for the care their pets need. Pet owners must meet income limits and other requirements. Approval may take up to two weeks, so SPUF cannot usually help in emergency situations.
*

Support for caregivers of homeless or feral cats: SCFAW provides traps, guidance, and financial assistance for the spaying/neutering of homeless or feral cats. See Feral Cat Services for more information.
*

General support: SCFAW gives referrals and guidance to pet owners who must surrender their pets, or who need advice about caring for their pets.

To apply for financial help for spaying/neutering or SPUF medical care, you must fill out a Request for Pet Services. You can fill out the application and submit it online:

* SCFAW Vet Service Request - Online Form

For questions or support, call the Second Chance Fund for Animal Welfare hotline at 978-779-8287, or e-mail SCFAW at scfawcontactus@gmail.com.

For more information, visit the Second Chance Fund for Animal Welfare web site.

Snow shoveling

Worcester requires property owners to clear snow and ice from their sidewalks within 10 hours after it stops snowing. The cleared path must be at least 4 feet wide. Residents who don't shovel their walks currently face a $75 per day fine.

If you are not able to shovel your own walks, you can get help from:

*

Worcester Snow Shoveling - Division of Elder Affairs:

Worcester residents, age 60 or older, who need help shoveling their walks and entranceways can get assistance from the city's Elder Affairs Division. Priority is given to residents with an urgent need for snow removal, such as medical appointments, access for caregivers, or citations for violating the city's snow removal ordinance.

Elder Affairs works with agencies such as the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance to provide snow removal services. To apply, call:
o Division of Elder Affairs: 508-799-1232

o Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance: 508-755-1105 (CMHA Elder Home Maintenance)

In some cases, you may be asked to pay a small fee for services. The Elder Home Maintenance program also provides other maintenance services such as mowing the lawn and cleaning rain gutters.
*

Community organizations:

Worcester homeowners can get a referral for snow removal by calling the Worcester Department of Public Works (DPW) at 508-929-1300 or using the referral list on the DPW Sidewalk Snow Removal web page. Elderly homeowners and homeowners with disabilities can get free services. Other homeowners may have to pay a fee or donation.

Wheelchair ramps

Worcester residents with disabilities who need a wheelchair ramp to make their homes accessible may be able to get help from the Handicap Ramp Program:

* The Handicap Ramp Program is a community service partnership between local labor unions, such as the Worcester Firefighters "Ramp Gang" and Carpenters Local 107, and the United Way of Central Massachusetts.

Labor union workers donate their time and supplies to build handicap ramps for homebound residents of Worcester and other Central Massachusetts communities. The homeowners do not have to pay anything for the ramps. Ramps can be built throughout the year.

To apply, call the AFL/CIO Community Services Handicap Ramp Program at 508-757-5632.

If you cannot get a free wheelchair ramp, you may be able to get a loan to pay for the ramp:

*

The Home Modification Loan Program gives loans to elders and people with disabilities to modify their homes so they can live independently.

Depending on your income, you may be eligible for a deferred payment loan that does not have to be repaid until you sell your house, or an amortized low interest loan. For income guidelines, see HMLP: Who Is Eligible?.

You can get an application and instructions on the HMLP web site HMLP: How Do I Apply?. For more information, see Home Modification Loan Program.

Load Legend: Rejected Problem Offered Accepted/Committed Ready To Ship En Route Arrived Unloaded
Needs:

Available:

Incoming Loads: