Six months ago, I wrote to you with a question — how has the Berkshires’ housing crisis manifested in your life?
I was only a week and a half on the job then as The Eagle’s housing reporter. I still relied on Google to map my commute and a source, hoping to save me further embarrassment, informed me I’d been pronouncing Lenox wrong for seven years.
Proper pronunciation was item No. 1 on a long list. But green as I was, I was sure about this: if I was going to build this housing beat from the ground up, I’d do so with your stories and ideas and questions.
Since then I’ve written about seniors struggling to cover rising rent bills, the possibilities built into ADUs and stubborn affordable housing stereotypes.
Many of those stories have their seeds in emails and phone calls from you.
As I look toward the next six months and my burgeoning “to-write” list, I’m writing to you again to say keep sending those emails, keep ringing my phone.
Have you been priced out of your longtime apartment? Are you struggling to fill a job opening because no one can afford to live nearby? I want to hear about it.
If you’re brainstorming a solution, send it my way. And if you have a question about the maze that is this housing crisis, ask me — chances are I had the same one.
I know it can be frightening to talk to a reporter, especially when it feels like your life is falling down around you.
But I will say this — it’s your stories that make this crisis personal and when it’s personal, it’s harder for people to look away. Your stories remind readers who is at the heart of this conversation.
I may be the housing reporter, but this beat isn’t about houses: it’s about you.
Share Your Story
So here’s my ask — if you have a housing story, share it.
If your rent is going up, tell me about it. If you’re struggling to cover utilities this winter, shoot me an email. If you’re navigating an eviction, call me.
You can fill out this form or reach me at (413) 496-6171 and cocalllahan@berkshireeagle.com.
Thank you, and happy holidays!