Pittsfield's Affordable Housing Trust Notice of Funding Availability for Housing Projects

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield's Affordable Housing Trust (AHT) is seeking applications for Community Preservation (CPA) funds that have been allocated to the Trust for the purpose of creating affordable housing opportunities for Pittsfield residents. 
 
The AHT has $365,000 in funding that it is seeking to award to affordable housing projects in Pittsfield that are eligible to receive Community Preservation Funds.
 
The application process is a two-part process. Interested parties should submit a letter of interest to the Board to be reviewed at a meeting of the Trust. The initial review will determine the project's eligibility. If the Board determines the project is eligible, a full application for funding must be completed.
 
The Letter of Interest should provide a brief description of the proposed affordable housing project, how the project will meet the Community Preservation requirements, and a timeline for completion.
 
Funds can be used for new construction and the preservation of affordable units. Either non-profit or for-profit organizations are eligible to apply. Applicants must demonstrate a capacity to create or preserve affordable housing opportunities for low to moderate income households. Eligible projects must be located in the City of Pittsfield Proposals that address priority needs, as described in the Affordable Housing Needs Assessment, will be given a strong preference. Other considerations include projects that demonstrate community support, capacity of the development team to complete the project within the proposed timeline, projects that leverage other sources of funding and projects that address an identified need in the City of Pittsfield. 
 
Projects that incorporate sustainable development principles and design that match the character of the neighborhood are strongly encouraged.
 
The Trust is accepting Letters of Interest beginning August 1 until August 29. These proposals will be reviewed at a meeting of the Trust. If the Board determines that the project meets both the requirements of the CP funds and priorities for the Trust, applicants will be invited to submit a full application to the Board. Full Applications will be reviewed at the Boards's monthly meeting and applicants may be invited to present their project to the Board.
 
Letters of Interest should be submitted to housing@cityofpittsfield.org. For more information about the Trust, please see the City of Pittsfield's website Pittsfield, MA | Official Website under the Community Development and Housing tab.
 
For questions or further information, contact the Community Development Office at (413) 499-9368 or by email to housing@cityofpittsfield.org.
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North Street Restaurant Serving Authentic Afro-Caribbean Cuisine

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Andre Lynch has transformed the former Lulu's on North Street into a bright and sunny space to serve his Caribbean cuisine.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Dre's Global Kitchen is bringing the flavors of the Caribbean to North Street starting this weekend.
 
The new restaurant at 137 North St. is holding its grand opening on Friday and Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. 
 
Owner and chef André Lynch said the cuisine is straight from his mom's cooking.
 
Deborah Burchell, a well-known chef and instructor in New York, grew up in Trinidad and learned to cook when she was little. Lynch has taken her recipes and also made his own modifications to her cookbook.
 
"Thirteen of us grew up in a household eating home-cooked Trinidadian meals every single day in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, mostly, which is a very thick West Indian or Caribbean community," he said.
 
Once he left New York, he realized not many other places share the influence of his mom's cooking.
 
"Leaving New York, Brooklyn, really opened our eyes to how much Caribbean influence was not in other places."
 
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