Completion of Dry Cleaner Testing Smooths Way for HOI Closure

Housing Opportunities Inc. may be nearing the finish line finally for shutting down.

iBerkshire.com  reports the hangup has been the problematic Sun Cleaners property that's taken more than two years now to settle. But with an environmental report finally complete, the Housing Authority anticipates dissolving HOI next month.

Housing Authority Director Jennifer Hohn told the commission Monday that the contamination report for the 111 River St. property is complete and it is now a matter of figuring out the next steps.

The board, which also serves as the Housing Opportunities Inc. board, plans to transfer all the HOI assets to the city of North Adams and dissolve the 30-year-old program created to help first-time homeowners.

The River Street property has been the last roadblock in the way of dissolving HOI.

In other business, the commission voted to introduce a new tenant late-rent fee of $15 starting in October.