The ban on evictions ends in Mass on Saturday. Here’s where you can seek help…

This Saturday marks the end of protections by the state that prevent tenants from being evicted from their homes.  The statewide eviction moratorium expires Saturday.  The moratorium was put into place by the Baker administration to protect tenants hard hit by the pandemic from being evicted by their landlords.

The pandemic has caused hardship throughout the Berkshires with business closings and job-loss putting people in financial straits.   Providing a roof over the heads of their family and food on the table is a serious struggle for many.  A post by the City of North Adams on their Facebook page has information residents in the Berkshires will find helpful if they are in need of help.  The North Adams post is below...

North Adams City Hall

The statewide eviction moratorium ends this Saturday, October 17. The Baker-Polito Administration recently launched an Eviction Diversion Initiative to support tenants and landlords during the financial challenges caused by the pandemic. The goal of this initiative is to keep tenants safely in their homes and to support the ongoing expenses of landlords once the Commonwealth’s pause of evictions and foreclosures expires. Find more information at: https://www.mass.gov/…/baker-polito-administration-announce…

Locally, the following agencies and organizations offer programs to support housing stability and consumer protection:

- The Berkshire County Regional Housing Authority (BCRHA) offers a number of programs to support housing stability and consumer protection. For more information visit www.bcrha.com or call (413) 443-7138.

- Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC) currently has funding to help individuals who are just starting to fall behind or who are struggling to make their current month's rent. BCAC Fuel Assistance Program applications will be opening on November 1 to assist with winter heating bills. For more information about their programs visit www.bcacinc.org or call (413) 663-3014 (North County); (413) 445-4503 Pittsfield/South Office.

- The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s Neighbor to Neighbor Grant provides emergency assistance for local residents who are in economic distress. Neighbor-to-Neighbor makes small grants (up to $1,000 during the response to COVID-19) to help those with overdue utilities, medical bills, short-term housing costs and transportation problems. For more information visit http://www.berkshiretaconic.org/…/NeighbortoNeighborN2N.aspx.