Greylock Federal Offers Assistance to Homebuyers Through FHLBank Boston

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Greylock Federal Credit Union has been approved to participate in Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston's homeownership assistance programs, Equity Builder Program and Housing Our Workforce. 
 
Both programs help income-eligible homebuyers who are purchasing one- to four-family homes that will serve as their primary residence.
 
Equity Builder Program (EBP) provides grants to financial institutions to help local first-time homebuyers with down payments and closing costs as well as homebuyer counseling and rehabilitation assistance. Borrowers earning up to 80 percent of the area median income are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in assistance on a first-come, first-served basis. Buyers must complete homebuyer education/counseling.
 
Housing Our Workforce (HOW) enables financial institutions to help local homebuyers earning more than 80 percent and up to 120 percent of the area median income with down payments and closing costs. Borrowers can receive up to $25,000 in assistance on a first-come, first-served basis. Buyers must complete homebuyer education/counseling if they are a first-time homebuyer.
 
"These grant programs are designed to ease some challenges associated with a home purchase, particularly at a time when home prices have risen sharply and are beyond the reach of many individuals and families. We are pleased to participate to help borrowers become homebuyers, while also supporting the financial stability and vitality of our communities," said Tara McCluskey, Greylock's Vice President, Mortgage Originations Manager.
 
Greylock is eligible to reserve up to $250,000 through the EBP and up to $250,0000 through HOW depending on availability of funds in 2025.
 
To learn more about applying for assistance through these programs, contact the Greylock mortgage department at 413-236-412

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Holiday Inn Remains Closed from Broken Elevator

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It has been almost three weeks since broken elevators temporarily closed the Holiday Inn & Suites, and the hotel is still working to meet code compliance. 

The hotel at 1 West Street has been closed since Sept. 25, after its last working elevator of three broke down. The 101 Restaurant & Bar, located within the Holiday Inn, also has temporarily shut its doors while repairs are ongoing. 

The day of the shutdown had emergency personnel carrying people who use mobility devices down stairs. 

“We were called there a couple of Fridays ago. There was no working elevator. There were EMTs and the fire department there, and they were getting over half a dozen people down the stairs that were in wheelchairs and walkers,” Building Commissioner Rian Dowd told iBerkshires on Wednesday. 

“So with the no working elevators, we shut the building down.”

The central downtown, 12-story hotel has nearly 180 guest rooms. Massachusetts requires public multi-level buildings and facilities to have elevator access. 

Dowd said the Holiday Inn is still working with the elevator company and state inspectors to be certified and reopen. They were told to provide the City of Pittsfield with a timeline, work orders, and contracts from repairs so that everyone can be on the same page and the hotel can open as quickly as possible, she said. 

“We have not heard anything from them yet this week,” she reported. 

iBerkshires’ attempts to reach a representative from the Holiday Inn were unsuccessful. 

There were no passengers in the elevator when it stopped working; how it broke was not disclosed. 

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