Tenants for the nine studio apartments will be moving in over the next few days. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The First's housing resource center opened its doors on Tuesday, drawing about a dozen people. 

"I was hoping to do a soft open yesterday at The First. It became a little louder, which is fine," ServiceNet's Director of Shelter and Housing Erin Forbush told the Homelessness Advisory Committee on Wednesday. 

"But we are open Tuesday through Saturday for the next few weeks, and that is really due to just onboarding staff and training." 

The housing resource center is funded by Pittsfield's American Rescue Plan Act dollars in the basement of the Zion Lutheran Church, and there are nine permanent supportive studios at the rear of the building. On its opening day on Tuesday, Forbush estimated between 10 and 12 people utilized the resource center. There were about 15 people waiting to come in on Wednesday morning. 

A ribbon was cut on the facility on Dec. 18. The other component of the project is 28 units on West Housatonic Street, which are scheduled to be completed this month. 

The First's opening was announced on Facebook by Mayor Peter Marchetti, writing that it wouldn't have been possible without the city's ARPA funds, committed in 2022, and all of the partners who stepped up. 

"It is my hope that this is a model that we can successfully replicate to provide more support for individuals and families in need," he wrote. 

Located at 74 First St., the resource center will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Available to community members are public restrooms and showers, a quiet room, warmth, and staff to connect them with resources. Laundry machines and lockers are upcoming.