Pittsfield Seeks Public Input for Draft CDBG Annual Action Plan

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield's Department of Community Development has released the draft Annual Action Plan outlining how federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds will be used to address housing and community development needs in Pittsfield for the city's 2025 fiscal year.
 
The Community Development Office, in conjunction with the City Council's subcommittee on Community and Economic Development, will hold a public hearing on May 21 at 6:00 p.m. on the proposed CDBG program budget and draft 2025 Annual Action Plan. The public hearing will be held at City Hall, 70 Allen Street, in the Council Chambers.
 
The hearing is part of a 30-day public review process that is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that provides an opportunity for public input on the draft plan. Through what HUD terms an entitlement grant, HUD provides the city with CDBG funding on an annual basis. The 30-day public review and comment period runs from Tuesday, April 23, 2024 until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
 
The draft 2025 Annual Action Plan proposed budget of $2.2 million consists of $1.3 million in estimated new CDBG funds and $140,000 in expected program income and reprogrammed funds as well as an estimated $470,567 in carryover funds.
 
Community Development has proposed using CDBG money during the upcoming 2025 fiscal year for projects that include public facilities, removal of architectural barriers, public services, housing rehabilitation, economic development, clearance, planning activities, and administrative costs.
 
Copies of the draft 2025 Annual Action Plan are available for public review in the Community Development office, and on the city's website: www.cityofpittsfield.org/departments/community_development/community_development_and_housing/index.php
 
If residents are unable to attend the public hearing, they may submit their written comments to Community Development at any time during the 30-day comment period via email at njoyner@cityofpittsfield.org or by mail to the Department of Community Development, 70 Allen St., Room 205, Pittsfield, MA, 01201.
 
Persons with special needs should contact Community Development at (413) 499-9368 or TTY 413-499-9340 prior to the public hearing and every effort will be made to accommodate their requests.

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Habitat for Humanity Selling Pittsfield Condos for $1,700/Month

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

The homes are being offered as condominiums with a homeowners association fee. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity is selling two homes to income-eligible families who can afford about $1,700 per month. 

On Friday, an open house was held for the newly built condominiums at 21 and 23 Murphy Place, and another will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 10 to noon. The each of the homes offers three bedrooms and one bathroom over 1,200 square feet.

Homebuyers services representative Chris LaPatin reported that there have been "quite a few" applications that are being reviewed.

The condos will be sold to families earning between 50 percent and 65 percent of the area median income, which ranges between $49,150 and $63,895 for a family of two and $66,350 and $86,255 for a family of five. A monthly payment of $1,673 will cover the principal and interest, property taxes, and home insurance. There's a monthly HOA fee on top of that. 

Murphy Place is a dead-end street off Upper North Street, and the homes have yard space, parking, laundry, and a crawl space for storage. The washer and dryer are Whirlpool Energy Star, and the homes have energy-saving mini-split heat pumps for cooling and heating.

LaPatin pointed out that one way Habitat connects people to homeownership is through partnership hours. This program provides $2,000 toward a home purchase and an affordable mortgage from a third-party lender for completing financial and homeownership training and build site hours.

For one person, 275 hours are required, and 425 for a couple.  Friends and family can help with partnership hours, according to Habitat's website

Current income eligibility for families earning between 50 percent and 65 percent of the AMI: 

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