Northampton Partnership unanimously backs $500,000 earmark request for Pioneer Valley Habitat warehouse

Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity told the Northampton Housing Partnership it seeks a $500,000 earmark in the Affordable Homes Act to acquire or renovate a centralized warehouse to consolidate materials and improve procurement efficiency.

"One of them is a $500,000 earmark for a warehouse for Pioneer Valley Habitat," said Amy Landry, who asked the Partnership to sign onto advocacy and send letters to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) to help secure the line item in the capital improvement plan.

Landry said Habitat currently stores materials in multiple locations — basements, church back lots and garages — and that a single facility would reduce costs and improve the group’s ability to build and maintain affordable homes. She said the earmark is not guaranteed and urged members to lobby and supply letters of support.

Richard Abusa moved that the Partnership "recognize that Habitat has been an essential and effective player in creating affordable housing in our area and that we strongly support their getting funding for a warehouse." Beverly Bates seconded the motion, and a roll call vote recorded unanimous support (Hannah Schaffer, Melissa Fowler, Bev Bates, Richard Abusa, Gwen Abad voting 'yes').

The Partnership also discussed how members could help: co-signed letters, individual letters of support, and referral to the delegation materials Landry said had been shared. No further conditions or funding commitments were made by the Partnership; the vote was an endorsement of advocacy.