Officials hold rural housing presentation

GREENFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - A rural housing presentation and tour was held Monday in Greenfield by the Franklin Regional Council of Governments.

The presentation highlighted the unique housing needs and issues rural regions, like Franklin County, face including a lack of affordable housing units.

The statewide housing plan, A Home for Everyone, estimates the commonwealth will need more than 200,000 more units over the next ten years. Monday, local officials looked at both successful and stalled housing projects throughout Franklin County. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll shared a message to the state: “We are doing a lot in terms of investing in housing, trying to shift policies, and frankly, capture hearts and minds. we want to have a pro-housing culture to support young adults and families who want to stay in Massachusetts, to support older adults so they can stay in the community they love, and age and place with dignity and respect, and for us, it’s about how do we find that partnership?”

Monday’s event aimed to increase housing while reducing overcrowding and homelessness, achieving a healthy vacancy rate, and retaining a strong labor force.