affordable housing

Report Adds More Information to Williamstown's Housing Dilemma

Lucas Willard — Fri, 10 May 2013 21:35:45 +0000

A recently released report provides a deeper look into the housing needs of one small Berkshire County community.

Williamstown’s Affordable Housing Committee recently commissioned a study on the housing needs of the community by housing and development consultant, John Ryan.

Williamstown Voters Decide to Take No Action on Housing Articles

Lucas Willard — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:47:23 +0000

More than 750 voters filled the gymnasium of the Mount Greylock Regional High School on Wednesday, with many expecting to vote on articles that would determine the future use for properties currently under conservation restriction.

One article was included as the result of a citizen’s petition, which sought to place a permanent restriction on the 30.5-acre parcel of land known as the Lowry Property, and a nearby 140-acre parcel known as the Burbank Property.

Volunteers To Repair Houses In Poor Neighborhood

Paul Tuthill — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 22:26:00 +0000

A massive housing renovation project will take place this Saturday in one of the poorest neighborhoods in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. A thousand volunteers will pack two contiguous streets in Springfield’s Old Hill neighborhood and do major repair work on more than two dozen homes..

Carol Granado is excited about the work planned on her home at 163 Tyler Street that will include a new roof, exterior painting, new bathroom plumbing and three new windows.

Williamstown Residents to Vote on Lifting Conservation Restriction on Land Eyed for Development

Lucas Willard — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Residents of Williamstown, Massachusetts tonight will vote for or against opening a portion of conservation-restricted for development. The land is being considered as a potential site for new affordable housing units.

Williamstown has received a $6 million Hazard Mitigation Grant from FEMA to purchase and demolish the Spruces Mobile Home Park and build replacement affordable housing for residents at another area in town. Most of the homes in the Spruces were destroyed by flooding in 2011 by Tropical Storm Irene.

Berkshire Residents Meet to Discuss Housing Issues

Lucas Willard — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:38:06 +0000

The open forum, held at a monthly meeting of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition in North Adams, was attended by about 85 Berkshire County housing advocates and area residents.

Though the discussion was largely focused on the need for increased affordable housing in the Northern Berkshires, the lack of available housing stock for low income families is an ongoing issue throughout the region.

Berkshire Town Awarded Federal Dollars to Relocate Residents of Storm Damaged Mobile Home Park

Lucas Willard — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:46:58 +0000

A Berkshire town has received more than $6 million in federal funds to assist in relocating residents of a mobile home park torn apart by Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, but there’s still much debate within the community on how the town should move forward with relocation plans.

Springfield City Council Rejects Changes To Foreclosure Ordinance

Paul Tuthill — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 19:27:00 +0000

City councilors in Springfield Massachusetts have voted to reject a settlement with several banks over a foreclosure ordinance.

The vote means the city can implement the ordinance even if the banks continue to challenge its legality in the federal appeals court. The ordinance, passed in 2011, and upheld by a federal judge last year requires banks to post a$10,000 bond to maintain and secure vacant foreclosed property. City councilor Melvin Edwards said city taxpayers will no longer have to pay to eradicate the blight that results from foreclosure.

Two Separate Housing Initiatives are Unveiled

Allison Dunne — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 03:32:17 +0000

A town in New York’s Hudson Valley has a new affordable housing initiative, while officials across the river want more first-time homebuyers in their Hudson Valley city.

Officials from the Dutchess County Town of Rhinebeck and Hudson River Housing will provide details Tuesday on a new workforce housing initiative to sell affordable housing units at The Gardens at Rhinebeck.

Mass. Governor Announces 10,000 New Units of Affordable Housing Annually in Plan

Lucas Willard — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 23:00:00 +0000

The governor of Massachusetts recently announced a new plan to build thousands of new units of Affordable Housing in areas across the Commonwealth, while one Berkshire town submitted a proposal that help provide displaced residents with permanent housing. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports…

Governor Welcomes Affordable Housing Development in Pittsfield

Lucas Willard — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Today in Pittsfield the Governor of Massachusetts joined local and state officials to announce the opening of a brand new affordable housing building set to help revitalize a working class neighborhood. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports…

Governor Deval Patrick stood in the community room of the newly opened Rice Silk Mill, a 45-unit affordable housing building in Pittsfield’s Morningside neighborhood to pay tribute to the team work it took to make the project a reality.