Northern Berkshire United Way Sets 90th Annual Meeting

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Northern Berkshire United Way holds its 90th annual meeting and campaign kickoff breakfast on Wednesday, Sept. 16. 
 
The breakfast will be held from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at Norad Mill's 3West event space and cated by Bounti-Fare Restaurant of Adams. 
 
Guest speakers will be Matt Alcombright, executive director of Berkshire Food Project, and Deborah Leonczyk, executive director of Berkshire Community Action Council.
 
The business meeting will include election of officers for the coming year; the official kickoff will announce the chairs and the goal of the 2026/2027 campaign drive. Corporate sponsors this year are Adams Community Bank and Greylock Federal Credit Union. 
 
In addition to speakers from organizations supported by NBUW, the agency will celebrate the impact they are making together across Northern Berkshire, share a look at what's ahead, and kick off another year of working together to strengthen the community.
 
More information and registration here. 

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North Adams Housing Authority Director Steps Down

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Jennifer Hohn, the longtime executive director of the North Adams Housing Authority (NAHA), has stepped down after 24 years with the agency.

The Berkshire Eagle reported that Hohn resigned from her position on Thursday. The NAHA Board of Commissioners is currently developing a transition plan.

Her resignation follows rising tension between Hohn and the tenants association. Residents—particularly at the Spring and Ashland Park apartments—have raised specific concerns regarding building security, drug activity, and trespassers.

This summer, Tenants Association President Corey Fortin posted a video on social media demonstrating that door alarms in some of the buildings were not functioning.

Shortly after the video was posted, the tenants association's office was locked. Members alleged Hohn locked the space in retaliation, while Hohn maintained it was a matter of tenant safety. Hohn also stated that NAHA does not officially recognize the association because it has yet to go through official channels for certification—a claim the tenants association disputes.

The dispute culminated in plans for a formal grievance hearing between Hohn and the association. Both sides agreed to hold a meeting on Oct. 3, but the hearing had not yet been scheduled at the time of her resignation.
During her tenure as director, Hohn oversaw significant changes at NAHA, including expansion and the dissolution of Housing Opportunities Incorporated, a program founded over 30 years ago to assist first-time homebuyers. Most recently, she led efforts to transition NAHA properties from traditional public housing models to the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. She also directed the rebuilding of a Greylock Valley Apartments building after it was severely damaged by a fire.

The NAHA Board of Commissioners meets monthly, typically on Mondays.

 

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