Habitat Building Houses, Community and Power

Print Story | Email Story
Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity (CBHFH), an active presence in revitalizing Pittsfield neighborhoods since 1993, will hire its first staff members to support what is expected to be a year of substantial growth for the organization. After priding itself for years on its “all-volunteer” status, the organization is now moving into a more advanced phase, and is currently seeking applicants for a full-time Agency Administrator and a part-time contracting Construction Supervisor. CBHFH is putting the finishing touches on the 16th and 17th homes it has built or rehabbed, has poured a foundation for a new duplex on West Union Street, and is beginning the design process for another duplex on Daniels Avenue. In addition to building homes, the local Habitat affiliate finances mortgages for partner families when they become Habitat homeowners. In the coming year, the organization will team with the high school building trades program and the fledgling YouthBuild program which will result in an accelerated pace for its construction work. Sara Hathaway, a teacher at Reid Middle School, is President of CBHFH. “If you have been to a Habitat work site, you have seen the power of a motley volunteer crew of retired people, single moms, church members and crabby old guys with hammers,” said Hathaway. “It is amazing to see the beautiful homes and happy families who have benefited from the all-volunteer model over the years. But we realize that we can no longer manage our growing range of responsibilities without the help of paid staff. It is time to invest in professional support to reinvigorate both our office and our construction work.” Charlie Cook as the Treasurer of CBHFH notes that, “Habitat’s financial activity is not typical for a non-profit, although we hold fundraisers and look for grant opportunities as many local organizations do. We also function as a construction company and a mortgage lender,” said Cook. “It’s complex, time-consuming work and it has to be done well to be fair to families, donors, vendors and volunteers who work with us. Having staff on hand during the week will help to keep Habitat on track, and allow us to meet new challenges in the year ahead.” The full-time Agency Administrator position will assist the organization’s treasurer in paying bills, depositing and acknowledging charitable donations, and sending out payment notices for mortgages. He or she will also support partner families and their volunteer sponsors as they navigate the process of earning their “sweat equity” hours and become new homeowners. Managing correspondence, coordinating real estate closings and some liaison work with the organization’s subcommittees will also be part of the Administrator’s job, who will work 9-5 in the organization’s office on Columbus Ave. The part-time duties for the Construction Supervisor include coordinating with architects, obtaining permits and certificates of occupancy, overseeing the construction schedule, and ensuring availability of materials and equipment on site. Qualified applicants should have the ability to teach building skills, lead groups, and be able to work well with people of different skill levels. The successful applicant will work with volunteer crews on Wednesdays and Saturdays at sites in Pittsfield. Applications for the Administrative position and the contracting Construction position will be accepted until the positions are filled. Send a letter and resume to: Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 2717, Pittsfield, MA 01202. CBHFH is a non-profit organization partnering with families in need to build or rehabilitate simple, decent houses for homeownership. CBHFH works with families and communities, recognizing with respect their dignity, diverse needs, and contributions. Income guidelines for CBHFH require that qualified families have a reasonable employment and credit record, an income at or below 60% of the median income for the area (the figure changes annually), and currently live in inadequate housing. Selected families in central Berkshire almost always have children. Each family must complete 400 to 500 hours of “sweat equity” work on Habitat construction sites, and the process of preparing a home often takes as long as two years. Much of the value of the finished home is forgiven once the family has paid off the twenty or twenty-five year mortgage. Prospective volunteers can call the CBHFH office at 442-3181.
Share
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Construction is underway to transform the former Harry's Supermarket into a restaurant. 

Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building. 

"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu. 

A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building. 

White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.  

He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns. 

Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot. 

A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use. 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories

Business
image description

New Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant

Business
Community News
image description

Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle...

Community News
Schools
image description

Morris Elementary School Celebrates Student Success With Field...

Schools
Schools
image description

Community Honors Ellen Kennedy, BCC's Longtime President

Schools
Sports
image description

Lenox Edges Hoosac Valley to Reach State Semi-Final

Sports
Sports
image description

Durant Leads Drury Back to Final Four

Sports
Latest Stories
Previous Next

What's Trending?