At the public hearing (03/25/26) on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Application submitted by North Adams, the presentation indicated that no funding was allocated to assisting residents with housing fix-up and housing purchase.
North Adams remains the only jurisdiction in Berkshire County that does not include these types of programs in their CDBG application. The grant application also misses an opportunity to fund the newly created Affordable Housing Trust which receives CDBG funds in other jurisdictions.
North Adams funded housing fix-up and housing purchase assistance in the past and these programs helped many residents with home upkeep and purchases. The need for these programs has only increased since they were abandoned by North Adams.
For the median income resident of North Adams the median home price is $40,000 more than they can afford. Over 27 percent of homeowners spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing and 12.5 percent of homeowners spend more than 50 percent of their income on housing. Over 20 percent of properties in North Adams are rated as below average condition by the North Adams assessor.
There should be no doubt that North Adams needs both fix-up and home purchase assistance programs and a well supported Affordable Housing Trust. I urge North Adams residents to advocate for funding for these programs during the upcoming budget review meetings.
Virginia Riehl North Adams, Mass.
Riehl is co-founder of the North Adams Community Housing Organization (NACHO)
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Weekend Outlook: Hopping Good Fun
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
Check out the events happening this weekend including First Friday, Easter events, music series, and more.
Check out our list of Easter egg hunts in the county for the family as well.
Editor's Pick
First Friday
Downtown North Adams
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Spring is here so kick it off with music, art, and games that will fill downtown North Adams for its First Friday event, themed "Clean and Green."
Participating businesses will have extended hours and many galleries will host openings, closings, and other special events.
Adaptive Cultural Kitchen Clubs
65 Depot St., Dalton
Every Saturday in April from 12-1 p.m.
Bring your kids ages 5 to 9 to learn cooking with these hands-on lessons to build kitchen confidence and make snacks. To register contact BCArc Family Support at jmiddleton@bcarc.org or 413-464-7262, Ext. 119, or or Rania at rania@familieslikeoursinc.com or 413-854-3971
Paint and Snack Teen Programming
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield
Time: 1 p.m.
Enjoy snacks and soda and get creative with paint. For more information call the Youth Services Department: 413-499-9480, Ext. 203 or youngadult@pittsfieldlibrary.org.
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
Shire Tavern, Dalton
Time: 8 to 11 a.m.
Includes a breakfast buffet and picture opportunities with the Easter Bunny. All of the proceeds go to benefit Strong Little Souls, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting families affected by pediatric cancer.
Winter market runs the first Saturday of the month through May 1. Makers on Main will be operating next to the market with local artists and crafters.
More information on the makers here and the farmers market here.
Bennington Museum Reopening
Bennington, Vt.
Time: 10 to 4
The Bennington Museum reopens to the public with the annual student art show, hands-on activities, a reception, music, dance and the opening of the new Folk and Craft Gallery on the first floor. The Battle of Bennington exhibit will also be on display. The Antiques Appraisal Fair runs from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Paresky Education Center.
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The organization had successfully grown over the past 20 years and, by the end of the decade, would see its campaign drives pass the $100,000 mark and the number of agencies under its umbrella grow to 17. click for more
The City Council got an update on what's up in the school system and its president was inducted into the mayor's Women's Leadership Hall of Fame. click for more
