Welcome! Thank you for your interest in the Analysis of Impediments (AI) to Fair Housing Choice for Chicopee, Holyoke, Springfield and Westfield. The four cities are collaborating on their HUD mandated AI, an assessment of a state or a unit of local government’s laws, ordinances, statutes, and administrative policies as well as local conditions that affect the location, availability, and accessibility of housing. The development of this AI is part of the consolidated planning process required for all entitlement communities such as Chicopee, Holyoke, Springfield and Westfield that receive housing and community development funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

This AI includes an analysis of barriers and impediments to fair housing choice. “Impediments” to fair housing choice are: any actions, omissions, or decisions taken which have the effect of restricting a person’s housing choice or the availability of housing choice because of race, color, religion, gender, disability, familial status, or national origin. Such a limitation to fair housing choice constitutes housing discrimination.

“Barriers” to housing choice are factors that limit a person’s ability to choose from a variety of housing types and may not constitute “housing discrimination.” Factors may include housing supply and location, physical accessibility of housing, zoning for group homes, source of income, accessibility of financing, and limited English proficiency.

Click on the 4 tabs below for details on Resident Engagement, Stakeholders,  Data and to review the draft Report. For more information, please call or email Catherine Ratté, Principal Planner/Section Manager cratte@pvpc.org or 413/285-1174.