City officials say Worcester's program would not fit in Pittsfield.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Worcester Housing Authority recently launched a policy forcing tenants of public housing to get a job, go to school, or get out.

 

The policy, which received approval from Gov. Charlie Baker, requires at least one adult to work 1,200 hours per year, go to school full time or a mix of both accounting for 1,200 hours. Those with disabilities or over the age of 55 are exempt. 

 

A more encompassing version of the program was killed by the federal government because it included a seven-year time limit on housing so now it will only impact 393 families living in state-subsidized housing. 

 

In Pittsfield, Housing Authority Executive Director Charles Smith says a scaled back policy like the A Better Life program could be put in place but he would rather focus on individual cases. He said the program does have some merit by providing an incentive but it wouldn't work in Pittsfield.

 

"[Worcester's housing director] asked and was told in 2012 that you can't put in a thing that they have to do this or lose housing," Smith said when asked about the program at Monday's Public Safety Advisory Commission meeting. 

 

In Worcester, there are some 10,000 people on the waiting list and authorities could give housing preference to families in the program, Smith said. 

 

"We have some controls to make them do the right thing already in place," Smith said, adding that able-bodied people have to show the state that they are working, volunteering, or going to school and as long as they satisfy the state, the local housing authority has to accept them.

 

Further, he said there are a number of reasons why some families don't work, which include mothers who can't find a job that will pay enough to cover day-care costs or transportation. Overall the program is "not the best idea" for Pittsfield, Smith said.

 

"Let's look at them as individual cases," he said.

 

Smith said there may be some "generational" families in public housing but the city does its best to discourage that and give people a hand up. Adding to the issue is that Smith believes social agencies often cut off support too quickly when progress is made. 

 

Mayor Daniel Bianchi agrees, saying the city needs to be mindful of the constitutional rights of individuals. The better angle for Pittsfield to provide resources, he said. 

 

"The best crime preventative is a good job. A good job is tied to training and education. Training and education is tied to literacy. I think we've got a community that is marching all in one step," Bianchi said.

 

The city has taken steps to help families in housing by opening community centers, which brings resources directly to the residents. Since opening the one at Dower Square, the mayor said the arrest rate, call volume, and vandalism has gone down. 

 

"I think we should do everything we can to get people the training they need," Bianchi said. 

 

Meanwhile, educational programs for the youngest pupils have seen boosts in attendance. 

 

"These efforts don't have an immediate change. It doesn't happen just like that. But, I think you are seeing greater participation," Bianchi said. 

 

He said early education programs like the Berkshire United Way's Pittsfield Promise will help set a strong foundation for the city's youth, which in the future will translate to better educational attainment. 

 

Meanwhile, the city has about 870 children between the ages of 3 and 5 who are not attending preschool. Bianchi said many families choose not to send their students to programs and don't need to. However, he says the city could work with pediatricians and the 22 licensed preschools and 60 day-care providers to ensure families that need resources have access to them.

 

"We are a small enough community that we can really make a difference with a community effort," Bianchi said.