PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city of Pittsfield has received a housing grant from the state Department of Housing and Community Development in the amount of $70,000 to help improve the quality of its housing.
The funds will supplement the city's existing housing rehabilitation program, which is funded through the Community Development Block Grant Program. Since its inception, the program has assisted with the renovation of more than 1,000 housing units in the city. Many of the renovated housing units are located in the Morningside and Westside neighborhoods.
"Bringing homes up to code is an issue that I take very seriously," said Mayor James M. Ruberto. "Our code enforcement team has been working very hard to make sure harmful substances, such as lead, are removed from our housing stock – thus helping us improve the quality of housing available to and providing safer homes and neighborhoods for Pittsfield's families."
The Lead Paint Hazard Control Grant Program under the DHCP is designed to expand lead inspection and abatement activities in private housing. The grant will be administered by the city's Department of Community Development. Funds will be used for inspections to identify lead-based paint risks; lead hazard-control abatement work and relocation expenses for households temporarily displaced during abatement activities. The funds can be used for de-leading activities in both owner-occupied housing and rental property.
"The Community Development Department is aggressively pursuing every possible funding sources to help our urban neighborhoods. We are pleased our efforts have been rewarded with this award," said Deanna Ruffer, Pittsfield's community development director. She went on to say, "This grant will increase the number of families we can assist with renovating their homes."
The residents of units assisted by grant funds must meet income eligibility guidelines and a strong preference is given to any household in which children under age 6 reside or spend a significant portion of time visiting. The funds must be utilized over a 30-month schedule and it is anticipated that 10 units of housing will be de-leaded as a result of this funding.
For more information about the Lead Paint Abatement Program or the Department of Community Development's Home Improvement Program, contact Justine Dodds at 413-499-9367.
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