GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The importance of developing more affordable housing in Western Massachusetts echoed throughout the opening of the housing complex Windrush Commons on Friday morning.

 

Community leaders, local officials, project partners, and residents celebrated this first crucial step in addressing the housing crisis in the area. 

 

Although the opening of the affordable housing complex is a step in the right direction there is still more that needs to be done, said Keith Fairey, CEO of  Way Finders, a Pioneer Valley-based nonprofit that assists with housing stability and economic mobility. 

 

This is an incremental step forward but, he said, there are already 163 families on the waiting list for this project so there is more that needs to be done.

 

Community Development Corp. of South Berkshire and Way Finders partnered to open the 49-unit affordable housing co-development.

 

The nonprofits have been working with a variety of organizations and stakeholders since December 2017 to complete this $15 million construction. 

 

 

The project broke ground in 2022 and after thousands of hours of time, effort and state, federal and municipal funding, it is finally complete. The complex is now being managed by Berkshire Housing Development Corp., located in Pittsfield. 

 

"It's all led up today and now we're in the presence of these beautiful homes for 49 deserving families. Take a moment to savor that," South Berkshire CDC Executive Director Carol Bosco Baumann said.

 

"We're proud of the architectural style and construction in our efforts around energy efficiency and preserving trees and green spaces, creating a healthier campus."

 

This project ensures that the people who drive the area's economy and support the community can live close to where they work, she said. 

 

"Young families are the heartbeat of any community. The housing crisis is a crucial issue that concerns all of us in Massachusetts, but it impacts us in rural Berkshire County in unique and especially challenging ways," Baumann said. 

 

The process of building affordable housing so that people can have housing stability and economic mobility is already long, complicated and difficult, Fairey said. 

 

"It's about providing people an opportunity. It's about providing people a platform from which they move forward with their lives, knowing they have stable housing, that they have economic security, and hopefully economic mobility for themselves and their family," he said. 

 

"There's no dispute about the good outcomes that people have when they have that. That's why we believe that all people should have affordable housing and that's why we work with partners like CDC of South Berkshires and others to bring that to fruition across Western Massachusetts.

 

The effort strives to address an affordable housing crisis that is at an all-time high.

 

"I've not seen a real estate market like this since post-9/11. When 9/11 happened, that tidal wave of people getting out of the city that came to especially the Southern Berkshires and paid a lot of money for real estate," state Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli said. 

 

With the onset of COVID-19, the area is yet again experiencing an influx of people moving to the area in an effort to social distance. 

 

Although we are now post-pandemic, people are choosing to stay while residents who have lived here their entire lives are being "squeezed out" despite wanting to stay in their hometowns, Pignatelli said. 

 

"We've been on the circuit going from town to town and affordable housing, housing affordability, is the number one issue, the number one issue far and away," he said. 

 

Although the details are still being ironed out the governor just released a $1.5 billion housing bill. It's a very competitive market so be ahead of it, Pignatelli said. "We're not going to fund concepts. We're not going to fund ideas. So get ahead of it, get it zoned, get it approved at the local level, and then I believe the money will be there."

 

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was state Sen. Paul Mark's first official event in Great Barrington. Mark agreed with Pignatelli and highlighted the collaborative spirit of the Berkshires. 

 

"We are used to having less, we're used to being forgotten. So, the fact that we by no choice of our own have to work together I think is why we excel at it. And it's true in every community that I watch in this area. And it's true in our legislative delegation, as well," Mark said. 

 

Collaboration and unity is crucial for change because out of the 200 lawmakers — 40 senators and 160 representatives — the Berkshires only has four, he said. 

 

"What we do, we do together, we speak with one voice, we go down there we work well, we make sure that we are tag teaming, learning the interests of the people in this area, and always being ready for these opportunities," Mark said. 

 

The CDC of Southern Berkshires has also recently purchased the Sumner Block, a historic mixed-use property on Main Street, that contains six rental units that are considered workforce housing and hopes to purchase more properties like it, Baumann said. 

 

"As we look to our future plans, we recognize the need for housing that people can afford to purchase here and build generational wealth. Let's take pride in opening up Windrush Commons today, as it stands as one example of progress and innovation in addressing our community's needs," Baumann said. 

 

"As we proceed to tackle the urgent demand for affordable and workforce housing in South Berkshire, let us remember that this community thrives when everyone has an opportunity to prosper."

 

More information on the complex here.