PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) is proud to announce the award of a 2026 AARP Community Challenge Grant.

The grant will fund an Aging in Place Workshop and individual technical assistance to older adults. The Aging in Place Workshop will be held on Aug. 19, 2026, from 10:30-11:30 AM at The Common Room (Zion Lutheran Church) at 74 First Street in Pittsfield.

The Aging in Place Workshop will provide examples and lessons on how to modify your home to successfully age in place, which allows older adults to live in the homes and communities of their choice. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to register for a one-on-one technical assistance appointment with an experienced housing specialist to determine what modifications could be made to your home to successfully age in place. Participants will then be connected with the Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP), which helps fund those required modifications.

HMLP is a state-funded 0 percent interest deferred payment loan for home modifications for the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and families of children with disabilities. Possible modifications include but are not limited to bathroom and kitchen modifications, ramps, stair lifts, platform lifts, sensory/therapy spaces, hard-wired alarm systems, fences, accessory dwelling units, and more. This is not a home repair program; repairs to roofs, windows, and heating systems are not eligible.

All are welcome to join BRPC on Aug. 19 at 10:30 AM at The Common Room (Zion Lutheran Church) in Pittsfield for the Aging in Place Workshop. If you are unable to attend in person but would like to attend on Zoom, please register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OxWXX1tXRd2Ct0GEMVGUeg

Please contact Michaela Grady at HMLP@berkshireplanning.org or 413-442-1521 ext. 55 if you have any questions.

This article is available on iBerkshires.