Housing and Community

By Laura Dubester

I want a diverse community of long-time residents, families, wage-earners, local entrepreneurs, year-round and part-time residents and visitors! One obstacle is housing!

When I was thinking about housing in Stockbridge this song came to mind.

"The head bone's connected to the neck bone and the neck bone's connected to the shoulder bone and the shoulder bone's connected to the back bone"......

We know senior housing is a challenge. Many older people who have lived and raised their families in Stockbridge can't afford to stay in their big old homes or downsize. This is due to the Stockbridge housing market. Properties are worth more to sell to people as second homes or investment properties. Why? We protect the Town from overdevelopment, keep the gateways beautiful, have trails, lakes, and nature all around, and are home to world-class culture.

AND high-priced housing results in few new families. Thus, the fire department doesn't have volunteers. Full-time residents are aging and the pool of potential volunteers is small. AND volunteers on the town committees are getting older. We would all benefit from 'intergenerational' committees!

AND, we don't have many children growing up in Stockbridge or young people moving to Stockbridge. When the Plain School closed many townspeople were saddened NOT to regularly see children. With few families with children, other families question whether to move here.

AND it's hard for people who work in Stockbridge to live here. It would be terrific if the wage earners who work in local hospitality and tourism businesses that drive the Stockbridge economy could afford to live in Town.

Unfortunately, the current housing market doesn't result in diversity. That is why local government needs to 'intervene' to tackle the housing crisis through: zoning changes to encourage more housing (e.g. Accessory Dwelling Units); taxing strategies and incentives; and development of affordable housing.

I struggle to grasp that a vocal minority of part-time residents (with a median income of more than $250,000 compared to $46,500 for year-round residents) consider themselves "victims of discrimination" when the Town considers policies that would make living in Stockbridge more affordable for families, seniors, and workers.

A community is like a family - and every member can contribute. Some volunteer time, some pay more taxes, some go to local shops and restaurants, some own small businesses. By tackling housing, we can become a more well-rounded community — a place for all.

Photo: Carole Owens