Clients are welcome to call or walk-in for help with housing, shelter or adult education services. To be eligible for any of our programs, clients must be able to demonstrate that they have already lost their housing or are at risk of losing their housing, and do not have the financial resources to access safe, decent and affordable permanent housing.

Clients should be prepared to document their need with verification of income and assets, and an eviction notice or court order to vacate.  A termination notice from a utility company is required for those seeking assistance with a utility payment.

PLEASE NOTE: CONSTRUCT IS NOT A LONG-TERM PUBLIC RENT SUBSIDY PROGRAM.

Housing Help 

Housing help available M-F 8am-4pm at 41 Mahaiwe St.

Housing Counseling – meet with a counselor to learn more about housing concerns, tenants rights and responsibilities, home owning, how to access subsidized housing, understanding a lease, or creating a budget that will stabilize your household in permanent housing.

If you don’t want to meet with a counselor, ask at the desk for our list of subsidized project telephone numbers.

Housing Search Assistance - Construct maintains and updates a weekly list of available apartments in the southern Berkshire region, drawn from the Shopper’s Guide, the Penny Saver and the Berkshire Eagle. Occasionally, landlords will call in units that  they do not otherwise advertise.

Meet with a volunteer for help with your search or come by to review the listings. A telephone is available for you to make calls to the landlords. If you need, Construct may take messages for you if you have no address or telephone otherwise available.

Limited Financial Assistance – Homeless or at risk clients may be eligible for small, one-time grants to help prevent an eviction, restore electricity or heat, or other emergency that might cause a household to become homeless.

Contact Person: Cara Davis  

 

Shelter

Shelter intakes only M-F from 8am-4pm at 41 Mahaiwe St.

Transitional Apartments: Construct has 3 apartments for homeless families with children located in Great Barrington within walking distance of all shops, schools, hospital, busline, and jobs. Rent is adjusted upwards monthly until it maximizes at market rate ($850-$950). Entry rent is $350, plus an agreed upon security deposit. Families may stay up to 12 months.

YAIL – a transitional shelter for men. Small, private bedrooms, shared bath, kitchen and living room with resident advisors 24/7. Houserules, curfew, and zero tolerance for substance use or abuse. Must be able to demonstrate a capacity to increase income and access affordable housing in 3 months. Some support services available on site. Please note: this is not a halfway house or shelter plus care.

WITH – a transitional shelter for women. Small private bedrooms, shared bath, kitchen, living room with resident advisors 24/7. Houserules, curfew and zero tolerance for substance use or abuse. Must be able to demonstrate a capacity to increase income and access affordable housing in 3 months. Some support services available on site. Please note: This is not a halfway house or shelter plus care.

Contact Person: Cara Davis

Adult Educational Services

Adult Educational Services Intakes M,W,F from 9am-3pm at 41 Mahaiwe St.

Life Skills Workshops – available to the public according to schedule  TBA

Basic computer skills, food management, stress management, tenant education, debt management, first time homeowner’s, writing, book group, and others.

PRE GED and GED Classes to prepare the adult learner for the GED exam. Classes meet Monday and Wednesday from 9:30am-12noon and from 2:30pm to 4pm.

Contact Person: June Hailer

Permanent Affordable Housing Opportunities

140 East Street, Great Barrington – 9 1-BR units. Rents range from $405.-$525.
Section 8’s welcome. Apply at Construct.

100-120 Prospect St., Lee- 2-BR units, subsidized.  Apply at Construct.      

Pine Woods, 3 W. Stockbridge Rd., Stockbridge – 30 units. 1-4 BR with rents ranging from $385-$1025. Section 8’s welcome. Apply at Pinewoods  (413-298-0216) - Ready for occupancy Dec. 2005.

Other Services        

Case management – Staff or volunteers are able to help with food stamps, Social Security and other public assistance applications. Referrals and advocacy to facilitate access to other mainstream resources.

Pre-Employability – Staff or volunteers can help with resume writing or prepare you for a job interview, help you job search or link you with training or higher educational opportunities.

Family Counseling and Pregnancy Support Services – Available through Catholic Charities, by appointment only. Call 413-528-9506.