State Awards $3.2M for Infrastructure Work at North Plain Road Affordable Housing Site

The town has secured a $3.2 million MassWorks grant to pay for infrastructure work at a planned affordable housing development on North Plain Road in Housatonic.

The project, a collaboration between the town and Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity, will include 19 affordable, energy efficient homes on a 7.25-acre site. The state funds will cover the costs of road construction, sewer, water and stormwater infrastructure.

The MassWorks Infrastructure Program is a competitive grant program that provides state funds to support and accelerate housing production and other economic development efforts.

Today, Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Undersecretary of Community Development Ashley Stolba and MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera were joined by state and local officials in Pittsfield today to announce a total of more than $143 million in grant awards to support 337 local economic development projects in 169 communities.

Gov. Charlie Baker said today: “Since taking office, we have been proud to make significant investments in helping our cities, towns and local partners achieve their economic development goals through a range of grant programs and legislation aimed at advancing the diverse needs of municipalities across the state. The projects awarded funding today build upon that work and will create jobs, build housing, revitalize spaces and empower communities in every region of the Commonwealth.”

Town Manager Mark Pruhenski credited Assistant Town Manager Chris Rembold for his work securing the funding. Rembold is also the town’s director of planning and community development.

“Chris has been extremely proactive in securing funds and supporting projects that improve affordable housing options in our town,” said Pruhenski. “Whenever there are opportunities to direct town funds or incoming grant money to housing efforts, Chris is our town’s advocate.”

The North Plain Road property was purchased by the Great Barrington Affordable Housing Trust Fund in July 2020, using $175,000 in Community Preservation Act funds. The Trust Fund awarded development rights to Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity. Units will be sold to first-time homebuyers earning between 65% to 100% of the area’s median income.

Rembold noted that local employers are struggling to hire staff because of high housing costs and housing shortages, “so creating housing options is our top development priority.” 

Habitat will soon hold community meetings to refine the design. Once permits are in place Habitat will seek contractors for infrastructure work. Site construction could begin in late 2023 and house construction in 2024.

Fred Clark, chair of the Great Barrington Affordable Housing Trust, said that his board is “thrilled with this grant, which underscores our dire need for housing. The grant also demonstrates our town’s persistent efforts to support housing opportunities.”

Carolyn Valli, CEO of Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity, said her agency is “thrilled to partner with the town on a project that brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. With this grant, Habitat can now focus its efforts on delivering 19 affordable, energy efficient homes.”