Berkshire Eagle

A loan program that can help with housing costs is flying under the radar in Berkshire County.

The Home Modification Loan Program is a state-funded initiative that provides up to $50,000 in financing for homeowners and small landlords needing to make accessibility modifications to their homes.

Berkshire Regional Planning Commission has administered the program in the county for three years, but it’s only completed seven projects in that time.

A lack of knowledge about the program, combined with a time-consuming application process, has kept the program a huge untapped resource for the Berkshires, said Brett Roberts, senior housing planner at BRPC.

“There is so much potential in this program,” said Roberts. “Anybody in this community who wants to stay in this community but doesn’t have the resources to make that happen, this is an A-plus solution.”

Marcia and Ronald MacInnis, 78, are among the few Berkshire residents who’ve accessed the program.

Full article HERE.