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Construct says rental-assistance demand met with CPA funds but cautions reserves are limited
Summary
Construct, Inc. reported 11 rental-assistance grants to Great Barrington households in Q1 2026 and said it has used Community Preservation Act funds to date; Construct warned those resources are almost exhausted and trustees asked for standardized reporting.
Construct, Inc. told the Great Barrington Affordable Housing Trust on April 21 that it made eleven rental-assistance grants to Great Barrington households in the January–March 2026 quarter and that, to date, the program has been funded primarily with prior Community Preservation Act (CPA) allocations rather than the Affordable Housing Trust’s operating balance.
In a written letter included in the meeting materials, Construct Executive Director Joey Lindstrom stated, “So far, we have met current demand using CPA resources and have not needed to use Trust funds. However, those resources are almost gone.” The Trust discussed fund balances and reporting formats; members asked Construct to provide a standardized report going forward.
The meeting minutes and the attached report list slightly different figures for fund balances and totals. The minutes record a CPA balance of about $28,000 and about $15,000 remaining from a prior AHTF grant, for a combined total the minutes describe as roughly $43,000; the attached quarterly table lists Total Affordable Housing Trust funds expended as $0 and Total CPA funds expended for the quarter as $12,287 and lists regional totals in a separate South Berkshire table (the two summaries do not reconcile on the face of the materials). The Trust did not vote to move AHTF funds at the April 21 meeting; trustees discussed the program’s sustainability and asked staff to monitor demand.
Construct provided program-level details in the packet: 11 assists for Great Barrington in the quarter, 17 individuals assisted across those grants and four landlords served locally. Construct staff told the Trust they estimate the remaining resources would carry the program for about 12 months absent an uptick in unemployment or sudden increases in need.
Trust members emphasized clearer, consistent reporting so the Trust can track expenditures and make funding decisions if demand increases. The Trust did not take formal action to change funding at this meeting; members confirmed their intent to continue supporting the rental-assistance program while requesting improved reporting formats.
