What are the current income limits?
For Colonies II, III and Holden the total household income must be below:
HUD regulations require us to give priority to people who are “extremely low income.” To qualify for this priority, the total household income must be below:
What size apartment can I rent?
Colony’s policies allow for one person in a studio unit, one or two people in a one-bedroom apartment, and a minimum of two and maximum of four people in a two-bedroom apartment.
The meals program at Colony III is mandatory. If you are not interested in the meals program, we welcome you to apply to Colony I, II, IV or Holden.
What if I don’t want to be on the meals program?
The meals program at Colony III is mandatory. If you are not interested in the meals program, you should apply to a different Colony.
Most rents are subsidized so that residents pay approximately 30% of their monthly income for rent. Colony II includes some unsubsidized units. We set the rent for these units at an amount considered affordable for people below 80% of area median income for Worcester. Rent includes heat and hot water. Residents are responsible for phone, cable, and air conditioning.
What services are available at Colony?
All Colony communities offer activities including parties, games, trips, and computer and crafts classes, parking, attractive and well-maintained grounds, on-site laundry, common areas, and pull cords in every bathroom and bedroom.
We have a service coordinator at all Colonies. This person helps residents apply for and maintain the services that help keep them safe, healthy, and independent in the community.
Peace of mind comes from knowing that 24-hour front desk coverage is available in Colony III in addition to meals. Many residents receive homemaking and personal care services from Worcester Elder Services or other agencies in the area.
Colony does not provide medical care.
What is available in the neighborhood?
All of our Worcester communities are on a bus line. Colony II has a beauty shop on site, and we have a hairdresser visit all sites. There is also a podiatrist who visits our buildings. There are grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, and other amenities near all of our sites.
We generally don’t show units until the applicant’s name comes closer to the top of the list. Please view any of our slideshows to see what a typical unit looks like.
How long are the waiting lists?
At Colonies I and III, we tend to have shorter waiting lists. At the other Colonies, the wait can be much longer. However, HUD requires us to rent 40% of our units to people who are considered “extremely low income.” This means that households with income below this limit may move to the top of the list faster than other households.
See our Eligibility Requirements for current income limits.
Generally, the studios are about 350 square feet. The one-bedroom units are about 550 square feet, and the two-bedroom apartments are about 900 square feet.
We welcome residents to have one cat or dog per apartment. Dogs must be 30 pounds or less and 18 inches tall or less when fully grown.
As there are waiting lists, apply now. Do not wait until you are ready to move!
