PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Zion Lutheran Church of Pittsfield is remodeling its space to provide more affordable housing. 

“Our church building is under construction right now. The upstairs will be turned into nine affordable housing units that are permanent supportive housing. The basement will become a day-use housing resource center,” said Pastor Joel Bergeland.

Church officials said they came up with the original idea about three years ago, hoping to make use of extra space around the facility.

Spectrum News 1 first reported on the plan in 2022. Earlier this month, they signed a lease with homeless advocacy organization Hearthway. 

“Homelessness is a concern. It's very real, and we see it every day here in our neighborhood. So our church council made the decision to work with Hearthway to establish this project,” said the church’s committee vice president Jim McGrath.

The upstairs, which is now being turned into apartments, used to hold Sunday school.

“We just don’t have the population to support that anymore, not only in Pittsfield but just demographic changes in America mean fewer people are going to church. Our church is vibrant, our church is strong. We have space to offer, and that’s what we are offering through these Sunday school classrooms,” Bergeland said.

The basement will be turned into a housing resource center expected to be open seven days a week.

“What we’re intending to do here is bring all of those services and all of those opportunities under one roof, so you can get a shower, you can wash your clothing, you can access your locker, you can check your email all in this one space,” McGrath said.

The construction began last week and is expected to last about a year.