OVERVIEW
In this sector, we examine housing affordability, ownership rates, and housing supply and ask questions regarding satisfaction with current housing, commuting length, and feeling safe in your neighborhood.
Comparable counties are available for some of these indicators by selecting them from the geography filter.
INDICATORS
SURVEY RESULTS
Forty-four percent of survey respondents were able to find housing they could afford within six months, with another 48% taking between 6-12 months or more than a year. Five percent are living in housing that they do not consider affordable. Lower-income respondents and people of color say it takes them longer to find housing, and 12% live in housing they do not consider affordable.
Two out of three survey respondents are satisfied with the length of their commute, with only 4% being very dissatisfied. Lower-income respondents and people of color report higher dissatisfaction with their commute length.
Two out of three survey respondents feel their current housing meets their needs, with only one in ten respondents feeling it does not meet their needs. As income goes down, housing is less likely to meet the needs of the respondents. One in four respondents of color report that their housing does not meet their needs.
Three out of four survey respondents feel very safe in their neighborhood, with only one in 20 reporting they do not feel safe. Income impacts the sense of security, with lower-income respondents reporting a higher level of feeling less safe. Only four in ten respondents of color feel very safe in their neighborhood, with another four in ten feeling somewhat safe. Another two in ten do not feel safe.
Four out of ten survey respondents think they will stay at least ten years in their current residence, while another four out of ten feel they will stay at least the next three years. Lower-income respondents are more likely to move within the next three years. Higher-income respondents are more likely to stay more than ten years. Most people of color who responded reported that they would remain in their current residence for only 1-5 years.
CURRENT EFFORTS
Berkshire Housing Development Corporation works to improve the quality of life for residents of Berkshire County by increasing affordable housing opportunities, delivering community development programs and projects, and operating a professional management company. https://berkshirehousing.com/
Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity works alongside our neighbors to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership. Ownership helps build stability in neighborhoods and communities where people can experience a good quality of life. https://berkshirehabitat.org/
Construct provides neighbors of low and moderate incomes with affordable housing solutions through rental assistance and related support services. We aim to provide a safe homecoming for all, a viable path to security, and a firm foundation from which families can begin to feel hopeful again. https://constructberkshires.org/
The Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire works to create healthy, diverse, and sustainable communities in south Berkshire County by significantly increasing the number of affordable housing units and stimulating regional job creation for low- and moderate-income individuals. https://cdcsb.org/
