The LGBT Asylum Task Force has purchased its second property in Worcester. Able to accommodate up to 40 asylum seekers at a time, the group owns one other property in Worcester, and rents a third for its shelters.
The sale of its second property closed on Jan. 5, according to records from the Worcester District Registry of Deeds.
The task force, a church ministry of Hadwen Park Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, started in 2008 as a place for LGBTQ people of all faiths to receive housing, food, and connection to legal, medical, and mental resources as they flee persecution in their home countries.
The task force has since assisted more than 400 asylum seekers from 30 countries gain access to resources, said Al Green, ministry director. Green requested the addresses for the properties, including the latest sale, be withheld due to safety and privacy concerns.
The organization provides housing and comprehensive support, including paying utilities and offering a nominal monthly stipend for expenses. Part of the task force’s work is connecting asylum seekers with resources such as health insurance and pro bono attorneys.
“We try as best as possible to be the organization that connects people with the resources they need,” said Green.
The new property was previously leased by the task force before the former owners put it up for sale in 2022. Funded entirely by private donations, the task force is not looking to purchase additional space, though demand for housing and resources is on the rise. In 2022, the group saw a 50% increase in requests for support, said Green.
The task force provides support for the duration of the asylum application process, which can take more than two years, said Green.
“Once folks are supported by us, they are guaranteed support and housing until their paperwork comes through and they are able to support themselves,” he said.
