Pittsfield's Homeless Advisory Committee Hosting Housing Resource Fair

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield's Homeless Advisory Committee is sponsoring their fourth Housing Resource Fair, which will be held at the Berkshire Athenaeum on Thursday, Jan. 9, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. 
 
The fair will offer a variety of resources and assistance to those in the community who are seeking help with accessing stable and secure housing.
 
The event is free and open to the public. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from local housing organizations and agencies to learn about affordable housing options and receive information on resources for rental assistance. Participating agencies include Upside 413, Second Street Second Chances, Hearthway, Elder Services, The Christian Center, AdLib, and Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity.
 
Kim Borden, Chairperson of the City's Homeless Advisory Committee, said that the Committee is building on the success of previous Housing Resource Fairs. 
 
"The resource fairs bring the community together and provide a space where organizations that provide housing opportunities can engage one-on-one with residents who are seeking housing and other supports," she said.
 

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Dalton Public Safety Advisory Committee Ranks Potential Properties

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Use of town-owned lots near the Senior Center would require a town meeting vote as housing had been designated a priority for the former school property. 
DALTON, Mass. — The Public Safety Advisory Committee has ranked four properties to consider during its feasibility study on locations for a new police station. Two have existing structures, including a residential property, and the others are vacant lots.
 
The committee ranked the locations based on a quantitative scoring and weighting process, considering the properties' location, projected cost, size, and whether it is purchase or lease and whether it's vacant or has an existing structure. 
 
Jacunski Humes Architects LLC of Berlin, Conn., selected to conduct the study, will assess what is needed for an efficient and accredited public safety facility at each site. This will include cost estimates and consideration of scenarios such as building a new facility on a green site, remodeling an existing building, and demolishing and rebuilding potential sites. 
 
The property that obtained the highest rank was First Congregational Church's addition, which has offices in the basement with a walkout and some offices on the second floor on the south end. 
 
According to committee co-Chair Craig Wilbur, purchasing or leasing the property is up for negotiation. The congregation has the 2,600 square foot space listed on for lease on its website. 
 
There is also the possibility of constructing a building farther to the east of the existing church using some of the green space and parking lot. 
 
The committee is unsure if the parking lot is available for consideration but opted to keep it on the list so the architect could evaluate all the potential options for the property. 
 
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