A First for Worcester: Charting a Bold Path for Housing Affordability

Worcester has always been a city of innovation, resilience, and community strength. But like many urban centers, it’s facing a complex housing challenge—one that demands not just vision, but coordination, creativity, and commitment.

That’s where JM Goldson stepped in, partnering with the City of Worcester and our trusted collaborators at RKG Associates to create the City’s first-ever Housing Production Plan—a comprehensive five-year roadmap to expand housing opportunity and promote long-term affordability for all residents.

Led by Jenn Goldson, our team worked hand-in-hand with City staff, including the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Manager, to understand the local context deeply. We brought data and strategy together with inclusive public engagement to identify what Worcester truly needs—and how to get there.

With support from RKG’s Eric Halvorsen, AICP, we conducted in-depth analysis that revealed a pronounced mismatch in housing supply: a surplus of moderate-income units, but a real shortage of deeply affordable and higher-end market-rate housing. This imbalance creates bottlenecks, limiting housing options and increasing pressure on low-income residents.

We didn’t just diagnose the problem—we worked collaboratively to offer real, workable solutions. From anti-displacement strategies and support for Community Land Trusts, to incentives for small-scale infill development and revitalization of public housing, the plan lays out a thoughtful, community-centered approach.

To ensure these strategies are not only visionary but actionable, JM Goldson also developed a Strategic Plan for the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. By pairing the Housing Production Plan with the Trust’s strategic direction, Worcester now has a powerful, aligned framework to guide investment, prioritize resources, and coordinate implementation across city efforts.

Together, these plans reflect what we do best: listen carefully, work collaboratively, and build practical, inspiring pathways that help communities move forward—strategically and with purpose.