Amherst residents have option on how to spend $205K in grant money

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development recently awarded Amherst with a $205,000 grant, and now town leaders are asking for the public’s input on how to spend the money.

The grant money is to go towards non-social service activities, and town officials must hold a hearing on the matter. On August 23rd, residents of Amherst will have a chance to discuss four options: The purchase of property for a homeless shelter, fixing affordable housing properties, purchasing more property to be used for affordable housing, and the demolition of 235 East Pleasant Street, which is the old Hawthorne Farms family farmhouse.

Amherst resident Ed Wilfert told 22News he had some idea of what he would like to see done.

“One of them is the homeless shelter and the other is Hawthorne Farm. If it's only the street side part of the property, I would like to see the rest of the property devoted to agriculture,” he said.

For more information on the public meeting, visit the Town of Amherst’s website at amherstma.gov