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Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity Offers Home in Great Barrington

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity announced an Open House at 40 Grove Street in Great Barrington on Aug. 7 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm for the renovated 40 Grove St. home.
 
The home is a 1,462 SF, 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath energy-efficient home located in a residential neighborhood within walking distance to downtown Great Barrington. 
 
Originally built circa 1910, this home has been completely renovated with all new design elements, a brand-new kitchen and downstairs bath/utility room, and all new flooring and paint throughout. New siding and paint have been applied to the exterior as well.
 
The selling price of this restored home has been set at $250,00 but it is valued at approximately $440,000. Habitat has been working closely with the Town of Great Barrington and the Great Barrington Affordable Housing Trust Fund to develop pricing and programs to make this home affordable for Berkshire County residents who make up to 100 percent of the 2023 Area Median Income Limit.
 
Habitat has worked with the local historical commission to preserve the exterior look and many of the historic features of the original design while bringing the home up to code and adding energy-
efficient amenities such as new insulation, new windows, and energy-rated appliances. 
 
The yard borders the recently upgraded town's Grove Street Park. 
 
This home is deed-restricted to income-eligible buyers in perpetuity.
 
Aug. 7 will also mark the first day that applications for the Fair Market Housing Lottery are available online and at locations in Pittsfield and Great Barrington. Following the Open House, the first of three lottery information sessions will be presented from 5 to 7 pm in person at the 40 Grove St home and via Zoom.
 
Anyone interested in applying for homeownership through the Fair Market Housing Lottery is encouraged to attend one of these information sessions. Potential applicants will learn about Habitat's selection criteria, examine a sample affordability analysis, and review how to prepare a complete application. Habitat will have bilingual Community Navigators available throughout the lottery period to assist anyone who may need help understanding the forms, the requirements, resources for legal help/lender assistance/down payment assistance/closing cost grants, etc.
 
The application deadline is Sept. 15, 2023.
 
Full information on the lottery is posted on the BerkshireHabitat.org website. 
 
All initial inquiries are being directed to Habitat's Equity Centered Project Manager, Veronica Warren at Homes@berkshirehabitat.org or 413442.3181, extension 7.
 
The project was completed with the help of Habitat's Build & Repair Corps, hundreds of volunteers including potential homebuyers, neighbors, local church groups, local contractors/vendors, and Taconic High School's CTE Carpentry classes.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Lt. Governor Driscoll Visits Great Barrington Businesses

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Housing Secretary Ed Augustus and state Rep. Leigh Davis are ready to chop wood out back of Pleasant and Main. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll did some holiday shopping on Main Street last week after announcing millions of federal Community Development Block Grant funds

She was glad to see an array of small-business owners thriving, and the eclectic items that Great Barrington has to offer. 

"We know that the vibrancy of communities can often be defined by what's happening on Main Street," she said. 

"It's great to be here in Great Barrington and see so many independent entrepreneurs who are running really, not only fun, but businesses that are doing well, and we want to try and find ways to uplift and support that work moving forward." 

State Rep. Leigh Davis coordinated a business tour with Pleasant and Main Cafe and General Store, Robbie's Community Market, and Butternut Ski Mountain. While downtown, Driscoll also stopped at Coco's Candy and Rob's Records and Audio. 

Earlier that day, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $33.5 million in federal CDBG funds at the Housatonic Community Center. Great Barrington, in conjunction with Egremont and Stockbridge, has been allocated $ 1.25 million to rehabilitate approximately 14 housing units.  A new Rural and Small Town Housing Choice Community designation for its Housing Choice Initiative was also launched. 

Davis emphasized the significance of the state announcing these dollars in the small village of Housatonic.  

Craig Bero, founder of Pleasant and Main, prepared desserts and hors d'oeuvres for the group at his cozy cafe across the street from the Housatonic Community Center. Bero opened more than a decade ago after migrating from New York City, and Pleasant and Main offers sustainable, organic meals for an affordable price while enjoying the museum of antiques that is the restaurant. 

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