The western Massachusetts towns of Chesterfield, Goshen, Westhampton and Williamsburg have been awarded $1.16 million from the federal Community Development Block Grant Program for housing rehabilitation and home purchase financial assistance.
Funded projects include: housing rehabilitation (7 units); first-time homebuyer counseling and home purchase financial assistance (6 purchases); an elevator for Nash Hill senior housing in Williamsburg; a new childcare subsidy program; elder health programs; elder in-home assistance programs; a food pantry and a family counseling program.
The town of Cummington and the neighboring towns of Peru, Plainfield and Worthington have also been awarded $874,410 from the federal Community Development Block Grant Program. Funded projects include: housing rehabilitation (10 units); first-time homebuyer counseling and home purchase financial assistance (6 units); a handicap accessibility planning study for town buildings in Worthington; a new childcare subsidy program; elder health programs; elder in-home assistance programs; a food pantry and a family counseling program.
CDBG funds are awarded on a competitive basis. Hilltown Community Development Corp. sought both of these grants on behalf of the towns, and will administer the grants.
"We are delighted to have helped the towns receive these funds for essential programs and projects, and we look forward to serving these and other towns in the future," said Catherine Roegge, interim executive director of Hilltown CDC.
