Worcester Common Ground

Welcome to Worcester Common Ground, Inc.,
a Community Development Corporation

Worcester Common Ground, Inc. (WCG), a Community Development Corporation (CDC) was founded in 1988 in response to concern about absentee ownership of land and property, the high cost of housing, the displacement of families from their homes into shelters, and the fading dream of home ownership and economic opportunity for those living in the most underserved neighborhood of Central Worcester, Massachusetts. Our member-based organization is composed of land trust residents, concerned citizens, housing advocates, and community leaders. We are an open membership, not-for-profit organization run by an elected board of land trust members.

WCG-CDC acts as a developer of last resort, rehabilitating abandoned housing and acquiring parcels of vacant land for new construction to provide area residents with affordable rental units, the opportunity to own their own home, and an avenue to contribute to an increased level of neighborhood investment, pride and stability. As WCG has grown as a CDC, we have come to understand the vital importance of implementing a sustainable and comprehensive neighborhood improvement strategy to support our affordable housing objectives.

WCG-CDC engages in partnerships with other community organizations to address area residents' varied needs including public safety, youth involvement, recreation, community planning, and neighborhood business development. In order to ensure that our initiatives are successful, we encourage residents and partners to participate as community activists and stakeholders in creating a stabilized, viable and thriving neighborhood where there is opportunity for home ownership and quality rental housing, within a safe, affordable and family-friendly community.

Since its inception, Worcester Common Ground, Inc. has made a significant impact in the targeted lower and moderate income Piedmont neighborhood of Central Worcester. Some key accomplishments are:

Construction of over 147 units of affordable housing; 71 first-time home ownership and 76 rental units.
Design, installation and operation of the Newbury Street Community Playground.
Implementation of a $50,000 down-payment assistance fund for 1st-time home buyers.
Increased the number of distributed bilingual (Spanish/English) publications and materials.
Enhanced level of resident participation and leadership.
Development and preservation of the Castle Street Community Gardens, an urban gardening center for Castle Street residents

Worcester Common Ground, Inc. generates revenue from 5 major sources of which 78% is internally generated from Real Estate Development Income and Rental Income. As seen in this chart, the remaining 22% is generated from Grants, Contributions and the City of Worcester CDBG.