Housing Assistance Programs

Emergency Rental Assistance

Construct, a nonprofit provider of affordable housing and supportive services, provides rental assistance for households in emergency situations in South Berkshire County, including Stockbridge. The program, which the Stockbridge Affordable Housing Trust supports financially, aims to prevent homelessness due to factors like job loss, health issues, unexpected bills, etc.

Assistance is usually one month’s rent (up to $1,000), paid directly to landlords. The program is for short-term emergencies (not for large rental arrears).

For questions about rental assistance, please contact Courtney Kimball at Construct by email at ckimball@constructberkshire.org or call 413-429-4143.

Home Rehabilitation Grants

This housing rehab program provides funds for income qualified homeowners to pay for repairs such as a new roof, siding, windows, heatings systems and septic systems. Funding for this project is a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development and is administered by Berkshire Community Development.

Emergency Mortgage Assistance

Still awaiting legal opinion on this program. It is not active.

Board Discussion and Votes ● Consensus in support of funding both rental and pilot mortgage assistance programs. ● Decisions: ○ $25,000 authorized for rental assistance. ○ Up to $25,000 authorized for mortgage assistance, possibly in $10,000 tranches, subject to legal review and confirmation that mortgage assistance is a permissible use of CPC (Community Preservation Committee) funds.