Housing Secretary Edward Augustus Jr. addresses local leaders at a housing session in Pittsfield, his second stop on a swing through the Berkshires. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Affordability, transportation, incentives, and equity were identified as vital areas related to housing development in the Berkshires during a listening session on Wednesday to inform Gov. Maura Healey's plans to address the housing crisis. 

Around 100 local officials, business and community leaders and residents attended the session that will help fuel the state's five-year housing plan. They heard from Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Edward Augustus Jr. about the Healey-Driscoll administration's efforts and then broke into group discussions on the Berkshire Community College campus.

"It is a plan that is for the entire commonwealth, not a plan that is Boston-centric or Eastern Mass-centric," said Augustus, who in the morning was talking about public housing in Adams. "And that's why we're all here today."

This was the fifth session of 14 total.

"I think many of us in this room would attest that there have been decades in which coming to Western Mass meant stopping at Springfield," BCC's President Ellen Kennedy said.

"And I think we owe so much to the Healey Driscoll administration and to Secretary Augustus that they understand the value of listening to what other people in the Berkshires have to say but also to our commitment to trying to find ways to address it and every one of us has a different perspective and a different way that we can contribute to this conversation."

The top areas of focus were identified during one of the breakout sessions. Participants posted answers on whiteboard with two asking "What is your dream for housing in Massachusetts?" and "What potential solutions and strategies would you like MA to explore in the Statewide Housing Plan?"

Sheila Irvin, Pittsfield delegate on the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, would like to see stable, secure, and connected communities.

"People wind up in places where they are isolated," she said. "Part of having a home is being part of a neighborhood or community where people come together for a common goal."

Leigh Davis, vice chair of the Great Barrington Select Board, said there is an increasing feeling of isolation and lack of connection and that housing can bring people together. She referenced the senior population, who may need or want to downsize but have no viable options due to price and availability.