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Pittsfield provides ARPA quarterly update; council highlights three affordable-housing projects and warns of rising costs
Summary
City staff reported $40.6 million in ARPA funding received in 2021, $28.1 million allocated as of Dec. 31, 2024; officials highlighted three ARPA-funded affordable housing projects and discussed higher-than-expected construction bids and federal compliance risks.
City staff on the Pittsfield ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) team presented a quarterly update to the City Council and highlighted several ongoing projects, including three affordable housing efforts funded through the city’s Affordable Housing Trust.
Gina Armstrong, ARPA program lead, told councilors the city received $40.6 million in ARPA funds in 2021 and had allocated $28.1 million (69 percent) as of Dec. 31, 2024, with roughly half of funded projects completed. Armstrong reviewed completed public-health initiatives, recent capital work and community grants before turning the presentation over to Director Dodds of Community Development to describe housing projects.
"We all are aware, I think, that we are in a housing crisis in the Pittsfield, and we need to be exploring, all a diverse amount of, housing options for residents," Director Dodds said, describing the Affordable Housing Trust’s work to preserve and create housing. The trust awarded ARPA-funded grants to three projects: Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity (five new homeownership units built on three city parcels at 112 Robbins Avenue, Curtis Terrace and Murphy Place); Hearthway (a preservation/rehab project converting or renovating four rental units); and West Side Legends (purchase of a parcel and modular-home construction; proceeds will seed a revolving loan fund for future projects).
ARPA-funded community grants were also highlighted: $7.1 million disbursed of $9.2 million awarded to 37 nonprofit partners through Dec. 2024. Armstrong and presenters described specific grants, including $130,000 over two years to Soldier On for a veteran care navigator (helping 40–50 veterans per quarter with care coordination) and $400,000 over three years to the Breen Center (transportation vans, an electronic medical records upgrade now about 90 percent implemented, and architectural planning for a campus conversion to support residential and therapeutic services).
Councilors asked questions about cost increases and schedule slippage. Councilor Warren noted a roughly $500,000 increase in the Old Town Hall HVAC line item (from prior projections to approximately $1,112,000) and asked why. Staff said returned bids and higher construction costs drove the increase. Warren warned about the risk of federal clawbacks and contract cancellations and urged extra diligence in contract documentation. Councilor Costa said the three housing projects represented efficient use of ARPA funds and noted an estimated $500,000 per unit construction cost gap that makes subsidy important.
Work in progress includes Taconic High School track replacement (on track for June completion), the Pontusic Lake Park upgrades and parking-lot paving, HVAC design and installation at Old Town Hall to house police services, and several downtown building improvements. The council voted unanimously to accept the presentation and place it on file.
Staff said more information about ARPA projects and U.S. Treasury quarterly reports is posted on the city’s ARPA website and that community-grant contracts run through June 30, 2025, with several reporting requirements to the ARPA team.
