FEMA Awards Funds to Mass for COVID-19 Homeless Quarantine Costs

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BOSTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency will send more than $4.3 million to Massachusetts to reimburse the Division of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance for the costs of setting up a quarantine shelter for homeless populations who were infected during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The $4,345,945 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the commonwealth for contracting to convert the shuttered medical facility at the former Newton Pavilion in Boston into a non-congregate quarantine facility between March and June 2020 for homeless individuals who had tested positive for coronavirus.
 
This includes $1,787,791 for general contractor services; $1,493,693 for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & plumbing services; $485,041 for medical equipment (hospital beds and accessories); $350,263 for construction administration; $178,650 for elevator maintenance services; and $50,505 for fire protection services.
 
"FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with these costs," said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. "Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation."
 
FEMA's Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.
 
So far, FEMA has provided more than $1.5 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.

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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Colonial in South Pittsfield

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Are you looking for a classic New England Colonial in the city? Then this is the home for you.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 66 Emerson Ave.

This three-bedroom, one-bathroom home was built in 1924 and has 1,540 square feet with 0.15 acres.

The house features the original hardwood floors with a tiled kitchen that has granite countertops, and a heated sunroom.

The house also has a detached one-car garage and was recently updated with electrical, windows, and kitchen, leaving less worry for the new owners. 

It is currently on the market for $315,000 but is pending.

We spoke with Carrie Lobovits Wright with William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty.

What do you think makes this house stand out in the current market?

It offers an incredibly spacious, open yet cozy layout with a perfect blend of functional living and charm. Having a four-season sunroom is such a wonderful feature; combined with the updated kitchen, which includes an absolutely adorable pantry with glass cabinets and a separate dining area, this home offers incredible value at this price point. It's truly a standout!

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

Imagine hosting delightful dinners in the charming dining room, preparing meals in the roomy kitchen, and unwinding at the end of the day in the lovely sunroom or the warm, inviting living room. Thoughtfully crafted to make everyday living a joy, it's also perfect for entertaining friends and family.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

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