State College will receive $827,476 from a federally funded program for affordable housing initiatives, the state Department of Community and Economic Development announced this week.
The funding from the HOME Investment Partnerships Program will support two construction projects —two new apartment units and rehabilitation of an existing home — by the borough’s Community Housing Development Organization partners: the State College Community Land Trust (SCCLT) and The HOME Foundation (THF). Both organizations also will receive operational grants.
“The issue of safe and affordable housing has far-reaching implications and requires a strategic, pragmatic approach with the goal of ensuring that all residents have access to sustainable housing,” state Rep. Paul Takac, D-College Township, said in a statement. “However, too many Centre County residents face being priced out of the local housing market or forced to live further away. This funding will support efforts to expand affordable housing options for those who need it.”
Both construction projects involve partnerships between SCCLT and THF, according to information presented at a borough council meeting in September, when State College applied for the grants. Council also authorized the use of $276,000 from the borough’s inclusionary housing funds for the projects.
• A grant of $418,000 will support the addition two affordable one-bedroom units for income-qualified renters in a new two-story duplex on the same property as the Old Boalsburg Road Townhomes, which were renovated and reopened as affordable housing units in 2023. SCCLT acquired the land, which will be held for affordable housing in perpetuity, and THF owns the eight townhouse units at 803-817 Old Boalsburg Road.
The new construction next to the townhomes will be done in a similar partnership. SCCLT will develop and construct the duplex, which will then be managed by THF, SCCLT Executive Director Colleen Ritter said in September.
The total project cost is $1,056,662. In addition to the HOME program and inclusionary housing funds, Ritter said the organizations were seeking additional county and state grants.
• Another grant of $254,000 will support the purchase and rehabilitation of a single-family home on East Whitehall Road to be sold to an income-qualified first-time homebuyer.
THF will purchase the property and will once again partner with SCCLT.
“This will be a situation where actually the land will be deeded to the land trust when the project is all said and done, so it will be affordable in perpetuity,” THF Executive Director Wasikonis said in September. “It’s a different way of doing things than the HOME Foundation has done in the past, so we’re very excited about that opportunity.”
• The HOME program also awarded operating grants of $82,681 for SCCLT and $72,795 for THF.
Ritter said in September the grant would be “very valuable support,” representing about 50% of the land trust’s annual budget.
The HOME program provides municipalities with grant and loan assistance to preserve and expand the supply affordable housing for low- and very low-income residents.
DCED is distributing $12,190,423 from the program to initiatives in 20 counties for 2024, DCED Secretary Rick Siger said in a news release on Thursday.
HOME program funds are allocated to DCED from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the annual entitlement appropriation process.
“Safe, reliable housing is a need, not a want,” U.S. Sen. Bob Casey said in a statement. “Far too many Pennsylvanians struggle to find an accessible and affordable place to call home. This vital funding will invest back into our communities, leveling the playing field and revitalizing housing for low-income families across the Commonwealth.”
