On June 6, Great Barrington received the Housing Hero award from the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, a Massachusetts nonprofit dedicated to increasing affordable housing options throughout the state.

The Berkshire County town of nearly 7,000 was one of four recipients of the MPH’s annual award, which recognizes individuals and communities for their commitment to creating affordable housing.

Great Barrington was recognized for its leadership role in providing funding and land for affordable housing development, as well as enacting appropriate zoning. The award recognizes many of the town’s achievements on housing, including past and current development projects funded at least in part by the town.

Since the town approved the Community Preservation Act in 2012, it has used 36 percent of its CPA funds for affordable housing. Noteworthy initiatives include a 2016 project that supported the development of 45 affordable apartments, and an ongoing project that will support the development of 49 mixed-income apartments.

Great Barrington Town Planner Chris Rembold accepted the award on behalf of the town.

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