WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The developer of the Highland Woods senior housing project expects to hold a lottery to determine the first occupants within a week or two.
Next week, a local non-profit raising money to support the project will pull a lucky raffle ticket worth $500.
Elton Ogden of Pittsfield's Berkshire Housing Development Corp. said late last week that the agency was in the process of qualifying applicants and expected to hold the lottery within two to three weeks.
Berkshire Housing and the Women's Institute for Housing and Economic Development are building the 40-unit project at the end of Southworth Street on land donated by Williams College.
The project is funded largely through federal low-income housing tax credits administered by the state, but the funding package also includes about $2.8 million in commitments from the town of Williamstown.
Most of the town money will come from proceeds of the federal Hazard Mitigation Grant related to the closure of the Spruces Mobile Home Park.
Town officials envisioned Highland Woods as replacement housing for some of the residents displaced by the closure of the flood-prone park, and current or former residents are eligible for preference in the weighted lottery to decide the first residents.
All units at Highland Woods qualify as affordable housing. Seniors whose annual income does not exceed 60 percent of the area median income qualify to move into Highland Woods. Ten of the units are set aside for those making 30 percent or less of the AMI.
While construction continues at the site in anticipation of residents moving in this winter, Higher Ground, the local nonprofit that was one of the driving forces behind Highland Woods, continues to raise money to help make the project more complete.
Higher Ground hopes to raise enough money to furnish Highland Woods with amenities, including furniture for its community room, a vegetable garden and outdoor walkways.
Recently, MountainOne Bank presented Highland Woods with $15,000 toward its goal, and the bank's Main Street lobby features raffle tickets for a $500 gift card donated by RK Miles. The drawing will be held Nov. 15. Tickets cost $1 each or six for $5.
Highland Woods has received a number of donations from individuals and groups, including the Williamstown Community Chest and Adams Community Bank.
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