Marchetti Talks New Housing, New Approaches for 2026
The mayor, halfway through his four-year term, is applauded after giving his State of the City address at Monday's reorganization of government.
In 2026, some of that insecurity may be alleviated as Mayor Peter Marchetti expects new housing units to come online, along with partnerships to reach people in need.
By 2027, 255 new housing units are anticipated from various developers. Pittsfield has supported several projects through tax incentives, grant funding, and American Rescue Plan Act monies.
This includes 41 affordable units at Terrace 592 on North Street, 37 permanent supportive units at The First and on West Housatonic Street, 35 units (seven affordable) at the Wright Building on North Street, and home ownership projects undertaken by the Westside Legends.
"Since I took office as mayor, housing has been at the forefront of my agenda," the mayor said during his State of the City Address on Monday.
"I have had countless conversations with my colleagues from across the commonwealth about ways to meet the needs of our community, which include improving the aging housing stock and increasing the inventory of quality units. We have made great strides in housing over the past year, but I know we have a much longer road ahead."
He renewed his commitment to working with community partners and organizations in 2026 to address the needs of Pittsfield's most vulnerable residents through the exploration of new ideas and existing impactful ones.
"It is imperative that we work together as a county on an approach to identify solutions to a variety of housing challenges our community members are experiencing and other barriers that stand in the way of success," the mayor said during his address.
On Friday, Marchetti gave the media a preview of his address, which coined 2026 as "a year of opportunity for potential and building that momentum." The yearly wrap-up/look ahead was given during Monday's swearing-in ceremony of the City Council and School Committee.
The controversial camping ordinance brought forward in June is likely off the table, and instead, he said the city is taking cues from Northampton's Division of Community Care program.
"I do believe, through conversations with a lot of the folks that came that were in opposition, that there is some momentum moving in the right direction," Marchetti said on Friday.
Conversations about homelessness resumed in Council Chambers when the mayor proposed a ban on standing in medians and public camping to curb panhandling and the use of tents by homeless in the downtown area. Neither of the ordinances reached the finish line, and the camping petition was handed over to the Board of Health.
Marchetti joined board members for a visit to the Northampton's care program, a public-led, person-centered, trauma-informed response and support team that serves as a resource center for individuals experiencing homelessness and substance use-related matters. They thought it could work for Pittsfield.
"I'm not against homeless people. I'm against the activities that are taking place, whether they be in our parks or our downtown. And that messaging for me didn't come out clear and because of the proposal, it allowed people to create their own narrative and to be able to demonize me as someone who didn't care for homeless people. And to a certain extent, for the first month, I think that was legit. After the first month, I think we were just trying to sensationalize," he said, explaining that he went to the Homes not Handcuffs Coalition meeting and asked the group to work with him on solutions.
"… When you make a mistake, and I'm not sure that it was a mistake, but when you do something that's not received well, clearly, you need to do some rethinking."
The ordinance's original language included possible criminal penalties, which he said was probably not the best idea. Amendments in July included the removal of criminalization language, a new fine structure, and some exceptions for people sleeping in cars or escaping danger.
In hindsight, Marchetti wishes that he had a softer approach, but feels the petition started productive dialogue.
He clarified he wouldn't support designated encampments in the city because he saw firsthand what happened at Springside Park, where there was a large encampment during the pandemic.
"I'd rather continue to find ways to replicate what we're doing for The First and the permanent supportive housing that we're doing, and unfortunately, those are monies," he said.
"We didn't get here overnight. We can't get out of here overnight."
The city has since opened 24-hour public bathrooms at the police station. There are also efforts to increase Pittsfield's four co-responders to six and find a way to transition them out of the Police Department and into the Health Department, to remove the criminal aspect of the team.
The Homeless Advisory Committee also held several housing resource fairs, and a social worker was hired at the library.
This year, ServiceNet's shelter, The Pearl, and Downtown Pittsfield Inc. launched an ambassador program in which Pearl residents volunteer to clean the downtown in exchange for gift cards, and Marchetti said the city is looking to ensure that program continues. The funding for 2025 was secured through a state grant.
"We're making a commitment to finding the funding to continue that program because we see the need and we also see some of the results," he reported.
"The program has helped reduce stigma for some of the homeless folks, and it also has been able to provide them an opportunity to be included in the community. So we will continue that."
At the start of Marchetti's term in 2024, there were many opportunities at the forefront at the beginning of the term that just needed one or two pieces to get over the finish line, he said. Former Mayor Linda Tyer was applauded at the opening of The First for her allocation of ARPA funds in 2022.
About 140 more units are in the pipeline that the city has supported or is responsible for.
This includes 28 units (six affordable) at 100 Wendell Ave. that were allocated Community Preservation Act funding and given a tax increment exemption; Hearthway's upcoming 47 units of affordable housing at 55 Linden St. that was allocated CPA and Community Development Block Grant funds; and the Westside Legends' construction of 16 townhouses on Columbus Avenue that Pittsfield received a $500,000 state grant for; and 22 to 50 units at Hibbard School on Newell Street that Marchetti said will be put to bid once the city removes the items stored there.
There is a tax increment proposed for Allegrone's 23 units (four affordable) at 24 and 30-34 North St., and one of Pittsfield's ARPA awardees, Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity, is constructing five new residential units.
"We've been working with an investor to purchase the longtime vacant property of the former St. Joseph High School building. I am pleased to say that we're in the finalization of that purchase, and a sale is planned for this week. The goal is to have 21 new units of mixed-use housing with a day-care opportunity on the first floor," Marchetti said Monday.
"More exciting details to follow."
Tags: affordable housing, homeless, housing, state of the city,
