Lenox Meeting Housing Goal with New Apartment Complex
LENOX, Mass. — A new mixed-income housing development cut the ribbon on the apartment complex Thursday morning with state and local officials in attendance.
The Forge, a 65-unit, mixed-income housing development by Pennrose LLC, has officially welcomed its new occupants. Located at 66 Brushwood Way, formerly Brushwood Farm, it is providing affordable homes with serene views, a bike path, EV chargers, a gym, a playground, and even a hiking trail, close to the town's amenities.
Pennrose senior developer Rebecca Schofield welcomed guests including state Rep. Leigh Davis, state Sen. Paul Mark, Select Board Chair Marybeth Mitts and more to the celebration.
Mitts described the development as a major milestone for the town, stating it meets the goals of the housing production plan and the master plan to increase housing availability. She explained they have been working on increasing housing for almost 10 years.
She brought up the plans for Pennrose's upcoming project of 68 more units just down the road from the Forge, at 238 Pittsfield Road. Once completed in 2028, it means Lenox will exceed its subsidized housing inventory target of 10 percent of total housing units for the first time.
"Lenox's goal was simple yet profound: expand our housing stock to serve our current residents, attract new families, and enhance Lenox's cherished small-town way of life. And by doing this, we bolster equity and provide much-needed rental options to many kinds of households. Our town already has so much to offer a new resident: excellent infrastructure, top-tier schools, unparalleled cultural attractions, and now we have additional housing options to match," Mitts said.
Each of the one-, two- and three-bedroom units has a private entrance and a contemporary layout. The apartments feature modern amenities such as dishwashers, in-unit washers and dryers as well as individual heating and cooling controls.
Out of the 65, 50 of units serve households earning 30 to 60 percent of Area Median Income (AMI), including nine with project-based Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program assistance, alongside 15 workforce housing units for households earning up to 120 percent of AMI.
The first residents moved in in January and around 62 out of the 65 apartments are rented out.
The property was built on a ledge with a great view of October Mountain. The crew, required by the Berkshire Scenic Mountain Act, preserved the existing trees and landscape above 1,400 feet.
"Not only did our team build the site around the existing landscape, but our mission to minimize the environmental impact of this development means that Forge's residents have the opportunity to live in this natural forested area and enjoy the surrounding landscape for generations to come," Schofield said.
The Affordable Housing Trust Chair Don Weber offered some statistics showing how unaffordable the town can be. He said the average price of a Lenox home is $702,000, with the average age of residents being 67, and that more than 50 percent of its student population is from outside of the town.
"This is not the recipe for a successful future for a town. You can't go on like that. It's not a matter of whether we want to or not. We can't because 67 will become 70, and 70 will go from there, and $700,000 will look like nothing in two years because think what housing prices looked like two years ago. It's crazy, and we have to do something," he said.
"I don't think anyone chose it. I don't think anyone said let's make Lenox unaffordable. But here we are, and either we sit and bemoan it, or we do something about it. And the Affordable Housing Trust in Lenox is devoted to doing something about it. Do we solve the whole problem? No, but we have to start. And the Forge is the most extraordinary step in this process."
Mark addressed the work the Legislature is doing to create more affordable housing.
"A stat I heard not too long ago from the commissioner at the Department of Education was that in the next 10 years, we expect there's going to be 40,000 fewer students in the schools of Massachusetts. That is a stat that we can't just sit back and think, OK, let's let that happen," he said. "It's a stat that if it's allowed to happen, is going to mean fewer resources available for schools all over the state, fewer people that are going to stay here, that are going to work her, that are going to learn here, and fewer people that are then going to have families and children, and keep our commonwealth a thriving place to live and enjoy into the future."
Davis said the Forge is a valuable asset to the community, commending the town for the project.
"What today represents is something a lot bigger than a ribbon cutting. It represents 65 new homes before us. It represents 65 new opportunities, 65 new chances at dignity and stability, and being inclusive and being part of a community. It represents 65 new ways to strengthen our schools and to care for our loved ones, and to give back to the community."
"Affordable housing is not charity. It is stability. It is opportunity. It is dignity. It is the foundation of a strong and inclusive community, and that's what we're here to celebrate today."
Current resident Susan Faas thanked everyone who helped make the Forge possible and hopes that the neighbors look out for one another and make the space an even more welcoming and friendly.
"Moving in a short time ago, I was struck not only by the beauty of these apartments, but by the sense of community already taking shape," she said. "These buildings aren't just walls and windows. It's a place where new friendships can grow, where families will make memories, and we can all feel at home."
Pennrose Regional Vice President Karmen Cheung said stories like Faas' is why they build what they build. She thanked the ground workers who will be supporting the residents and the town for entrusting Pennrose with bring their vision to life.
"This is really what can happen when a town, its local leaders, residents, and development partners and financing partners all come together to create new housing opportunities," she said. "So thank you all for being here, and congratulations to all who helped make today a reality, and welcome home."
Tags: affordable housing,
