Great Barrington Affordable Housing Trust Board of Trustees Meeting - January 20, 2026

The Great Barrington Affordable Housing Trust Board of Trustees held a remote meeting on January 20, 2026, pursuant to the Governor's orders. The board discussed and voted on several key items including a residential tax exemption letter of support, a property tax exemption memo, a CPA funding recommendation, and a down payment assistance application. The meeting also included updates on the Prosperity Way project, the ADU and RFP programs, and plans for future reporting structures.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The board unanimously approved the minutes from the December 16, 2025 meeting. (Vote: 5-0)

Public Comments & Testimony

• James: A resident and landowner expressed opposition to the residential tax exemption, arguing that it would shift the tax burden to 8% of homeowners to subsidize the remaining 92%, and that the underlying issue of high taxes driven by school spending is not addressed.
• Eileen Mooney: Sought clarification on the property tax exemption for affordable housing, specifically regarding the requirement that applicants need not be domiciled in Great Barrington to qualify. It was explained that the applicant is the landowner, not the renter.

Discussion Items

• Prosperity Way Update & Reporting Structure: The property has been transferred to Habitat for Humanity, and progress is ongoing. Board member Ananda proposed implementing a standardized quarterly reporting template for organizations the trust works with, mirroring the elements of their agreements. The board agreed to develop this, with Chris (town staff) offering to collaborate with Ananda and Fred on a structure based on existing CPA grant reporting requirements.
• CPA Application Report: The board discussed a successful Community Preservation Act (CPA) application that resulted in a recommendation of approximately $325,000 from the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) to Town Meeting. Board members commended the CPC's thorough review process and emphasized the importance of regular reporting back to the CPC, including quarterly updates and an annual report. The funding is a recommendation to Town Meeting, not yet final.
• Residential Tax Exemption: Michael Wise, from the town, explained that the residential exemption lowers property taxes for approximately 90% of homeowners by exempting a portion of their home's valuation from taxation, and he confirmed it does not affect commercial property taxes if a split rate is not used. After discussion, the board voted unanimously to send a letter of support to the Select Board endorsing the residential tax exemption. The letter also notes the trust's willingness to explore a future home rule petition to extend protections to full-time rental units.
• Property Tax Exemption for Affordable Housing: The board discussed a separate program that would allow municipalities to exempt property taxes for newly created affordable housing dwelling units. The trust proposes capping the total exempted amount at $150,000 per year. A motion to reissue a memo to the Select Board with an updated date passed unanimously. The memo asks the Select Board to consider placing this item on the Town Meeting warrant.
• Risingdale Ball Field: The board briefly discussed the use of the Risingdale ball field for affordable housing. It was agreed that a report synthesizing existing documents, public input, and survey results would be prepared for the February meeting, to inform a future RFP.
• ADU and RFP Programs: The RFP program was reported as ready to be advertised on a rolling basis, with staff coordination underway. Regarding the ADU program, Chris (town staff) debriefed the board on administrative challenges from the previous round, including document coordination and the burden on staff. The board agreed to schedule a deeper discussion for the February meeting to consider adjustments and timelines for reopening the application window.
• Down Payment Assistance Application: The board reviewed and unanimously approved a down payment assistance application from an income-qualified first-time homebuyer for $23,000 (10% of the $230,000 purchase price). The applicant has completed the required training and been approved for a mortgage.
• Housing Stabilization / Construct Program: The board discussed the evolution of the rental assistance program toward a broader "housing stabilization" program with Construct. A decision was made to invite Construct's new executive director, Joey Lynch, to a future meeting to discuss the program's scope and goals.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: Unanimous (5-0).
• Residential Tax Exemption Letter: Approved unanimously (5-0) to send letter of support to the Select Board.
• Property Tax Exemption Memo: Approved unanimously (5-0) to reissue the memo to the Select Board with a 2026 date.
• Down Payment Assistance: Approved unanimously (5-0) for $23,000.
• Future Actions: A report on Risingdale to be prepared for the February meeting; ADU program adjustments to be discussed in February; Construct's new executive director to be invited to a future meeting.
• Upcoming Presentations: Trustees will present an overview to the Select Board at its first February meeting, with a report back to the trust in March.
• Meeting Schedule: The next regular trust meeting is February 17, 2026. A subcommittee meeting will be held on Zoom to prepare for the Select Board presentation.
• Vacancy: The board noted a vacancy due to a member's departure and will coordinate with the town manager's office to post the opening.