'A Sense of Place' Opening at Real Eyes Gallery

The pieces created by members of North Adams Contemporary (NAC) will be on display June 4 from 5-7 during an opening reception at RealEyes Gallery on 71 Park St.

Pittsfield Warming Shelter to Close at the End of the Month

Louison Emergency Shelter Program Gets Boost From ARPA Funds

Louison House is working to solve that problem by finding emergency shelter for people in Northern Berkshire who find themselves homeless as well as creating pathways to permanent housing.

Homelessness Advisory Committee Sends Recommendations to Mayor Tyer

The communication also calls out deficiencies in affordable housing and support services to help individuals maintain housing while addressing underlying needs that contributed to homelessness in the past.

Williamstown Select Board Offers Financial Support to Louison House Shelter

Williamstown resident Michael Goodwin, the current president of the board of Louison House, told the board that the non-profit has secured $175,000 in state funds toward a $200,000 project to establish a shelter at the Mount Royal Inn on Route 8 in Adams.

Pittsfield Homelessness Committee Drafts Recommendation Letter to Mayor

In September, members were asked to identify service gaps in the city's response to homelessness and bring recommendations to the October meeting that will go to Tyer.

Councilor Maffuccio Resigns From Homelessness Panel, Members Continue to Talk Solutions

Ward 7 Councilor Anthony Maffuccio has resigned from the Homelessness Advisory Committee, citing frustrations with the ineffectiveness of the 10-month-old panel.

Homelessness Committee Asked to Identify Service Area Gaps

At its meeting on Tuesday, which was the first since June, members identified providing trauma-induced care and school transportation for children of homeless families as possible uses for the funds.

Pittsfield Parks Commission Endorses Plan to Rid Parks of Campers

The Parks Commission on Tuesday unanimously accepted and endorsed a draft action plan to address overnight camping in the parks under its commission policy. This policy addresses the influx of homeless individuals who began seeking shelter most popularly at Springside Park in the summer of 2020.

Pittsfield Homelessness Advisory Committee OKs Open Microphone

The Homelessness Advisory Committee on Wednesday voted to include a 15-minute open microphone at the beginning of their sessions, allowing members of the public to speak for three minutes each.

Pittsfield Parks Commission Begins Draft Plan to Empty City Parks

Actions include installing new signage and increased awareness of park rules, cleaning abandoned sites and monitoring for new ones, leaving "friendly written reminders" of the overnight camping rules at sites, and circulating community reminders on the best ways to direct goodwill to those in need.

Former Homeless Panel Chair Voices Concerns on New Advisory Committee

Edward Carmel, who had been chair of the rescinded Homelessness Prevention Committee, identified himself as the target of Borden's comments in last week's HAC meeting and told iBerkshires that two agenda items he attempted to submit were the reason for her testimony.

Freeman Center Addresses Link Between Homelessness, Domestic Violence

Executive Director Janis Broderick spoke to the Human Services Advisory Council last week about the link between domestic violence and homelessness along with an increased need for the organization's services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Homelessness Advisory Panel Reprimanded For Internal Disrespect

At the third meeting as a newly established committee on Wednesday, Borden shared her thoughts on the current climate of the committee.

8-Year-Old Entrepreneur Starts Apparel Line to Combat Homelessness

Following a $1,900 donation last week to the Christian Center, 8-year-old entrepreneur Hadley Light received a gift from Mayor Linda Tyer to commemorate her clothing business that benefits the homeless.

Pittsfield Shelter at Methodist Church on the Horizon

First United Methodist Church on Fenn Street is hoping to welcome guests to its new homeless shelter in April. The 40-bed facility will be administered by ServiceNet, which currently runs the emergency COVID-19 shelter at the former St. Joseph's High School.

Christian Center Holds Grand Opening for Warming Shelter

The Christian Center held an official grand opening for the anticipated daytime warming shelter located at 193 Robbins Ave. This space is a result of center, ServiceNet, and the city's collaboration over the last couple of months.

Christian Center Warming Shelter Will Open This Week

The shelter is a 24-by-60 foot trailer similar to the ones used as temporary classrooms by school districts will offer housing insecure folks a warm place to reside in the hours that ServiceNet's shelter at the former St. Joseph's High School is closed.

BCC and MCLA To Pilot College Program For Homeless Youths

The statewide initiative, piloted at various public community colleges and four year institutions across the Commonwealth, is called the "Moving to College" program.

Homelessness Advisory Committee Talks Permanent Supportive Housing

Pittsfield is looking into the concept of micro-housing units as a solution to its homelessness problem.

Advocates Concerned for Pittsfield Unsheltered as Winter Deepens

Local homelessness advocates say the city needs to take a different approach to aid the unsheltered population.

Pittsfield Establishes New Homeless Advisory Committee

As the Pittsfield officials grapple with homelessness solutions, the appointment of a reworked Homeless Advisory Committee yields hope. "We are eager to have the new Homeless Advisory Committee get started," Mayor Linda Tyer said on Tuesday as 15 appointments were made to the new advisory committee.

Maffucio Calls for Investigation of Homeless Shelter, Change in Park Policy

Ward 7 Councilor Anthony Maffuccio brought two petitions to City Council on Tuesday calling for an investigation into conditions at the temporary shelter at former St. Joseph's School and challenging the city"s policy of evicting the encampment at Springside Park.

City Council Asks Mayor Tyer for 75K to Assist the Homeless

The temporary shelter set up at the former St. Joseph's School to comply with pandemic restrictions was closed in July, leading to many of the shelter's occupants camping in Springside Park.

Pittsfield Seeks Solutions to Daytime Warming Shelters for Homeless

Mayor Linda Tyer this week said the city of Pittsfield is feeling discouraged from the lack of community organizations willing to host a warming shelter that will house homeless individuals during the hours that the St. Joseph's temporary winter shelter on Maplewood Avenue is closed.