Williamstown Affordable Housing Trust Hears Objections to Summer Street ProposalA couple of the residents who addressed the AHT said they are concerned that Northern Berkshire Habitat is biting off more than it can chew and will not have the resources to build five houses at the site. Habitat for Humanity Plans Wednesday Info Sessions on Williamstown DevelopmentNorthern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity will hold two information sessions this spring for residents interested in a planned five-home development off Summer Street. Pittsfield Housing Trust Looks to Involvement with CPA ProcessThe Affordable Housing Trust will offer its expertise for Community Preservation Act applications related to housing. Habitat for Humanity Making Plans for Williamstown's Summer Street LotNorthern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity is making plans to develop four single-family homes on a Summer Street residential lot the Affordable Housing Trust acquired in 2015. Williamstown Housing Trust Awards First-Time Homeowner GrantA representative of lender Greylock Federal Credit Union told the trustees that the would-be homeowner would have needed help from family to make the purchase happen, but for the grant from the town. Exorbitant Housing Prices, Limited Options for Pittsfield ResidentsLocal leaders highlighted housing needs at a public input meeting with the Affordable Housing Trust on Wednesday. Williamstown Housing Trust Exploring New IdeasIn the former, they talked about following models in other communities that allow higher grants for income eligible homebuyers or pursuing partnerships with homebuilders that might have more capacity than the non-profit Habitat for Humanity, which relies on volunteer labor for much of the work. Pittsfield Housing Trust Explores Relationship Between Energy Efficiency and AffordabilityOn Wednesday, the Affordable Housing Trust looked into energy costs as a challenge of affordable housing with presentations from the Berkshire Community Action Council and the Berkshire Environmental Action Team. Affordable Housing Trust Talks Preservation of Pittsfield UnitsAffordable Housing Trust member Michael McCarthy asked his colleagues: How do we leverage trust fund monies for quality affordable housing? Williamstown's Water Street Project Pared to 21 UnitsDevelopers looking to build mixed income housing at the site of the former Grange Hall on Water Street have again modified their plans, this time lowering the number of units to 21. |