PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city of Pittsfield is offering a single-family home by lottery sale for $200,000 to a first-time,  income-eligible homebuyer. 

 

The two-story, fully rehabilitated home at 21 Eleanor Road was acquired by the city through a lengthy tax title foreclosure, said Community Development Director Justine Dodds. 

 

"Due to the amount of time the property had been vacant, the residence required complete rehabilitation. The structure was down to its shell, and it was then rehabbed to new building code standards," said Dodds. "The completed house now complies with the city of Pittsfield's current energy codes. It is completely refinished with new bathrooms and kitchen, as well as all new plumbing and wiring."

 

Applications will be available Wednesday, Sept. 21, through the city's Purchasing Department.

 

The appraised value of the rehabilitated property is $264,100. The lottery will select the buyer. 

 

The property has a total of 1,536 square feet of living space, on a 0.29 acre lot. It has three bedrooms and two full bathrooms. The first floor of the residence is handicapped accessible.

 

Funding for this project was provided by the city's Community Development Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Housing has been considered an area of need in the city for sometime. Nearly half of the 2022 CDBG funding is dedicated to housing rehabilitation and demolitions. 

 

The city received about $1.34 million in each of the last two grant rounds and the Eleanor Road home was targeted for rehabilitation under those funds. The city is also providing the owners of 20 housing units with assistance in repairs through CDBG-funded Home Improvement Program. 

 

The sale price of the home represents a 25 percent discount from the appraised value. This discount will provide the homeowner with immediate equity investment in the property as well as helping applicants in obtaining conventional mortgage financing.

 

Families interested in purchasing this home must demonstrate to the Purchasing Department and the Department of Community Development an ability to secure a mortgage. Applicants will also have to demonstrate they meet the established income guidelines and that they will occupy the property as their primary residence. The potential buyer will also have to complete a homebuyer counseling class before purchase.

 

Applications must be submitted by Nov. 21. The property will carry a deed restriction for a period of 20 years that will ensure the property remains both affordable and occupied by the eligible household.

 

To request an application in either English and Spanish, contact Purchasing at 413-499-9470, purchasing@cityofpittsfield.org, or visit the office in Room 102 on the first floor of City Hall. For questions or more information, please contact Heni Harvender at 413-499-9367.