Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Melton Center gets $2.1M for affordable housing project
Nine Chester County organizations will receive more than $4.3 million in state funding to invest in affordable housing projects. The Melton Center in West Chester will receive almost half of the funding.
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Authority (PHFA) approved the funding Friday.
Plans call for the Charles A. Melton Arts and Education Center to build about 50 affordable workforce development housing units along Market Street, Miner and Worthington streets.
Church Housing of Phoenixville and NRP LLC are also involved in construction expected to cost $15.4 million.
Lisa Dorsey, president of the Melton broad of directors, said dirt might be turned at the 2.5 acre site to the east of the current building during the spring of 2020.
The design is not yet finalized, with plans in draft form. Dorsey and the board of directors expect to build up to four floors.
The Melton Center would receive 49 percent of any income generated and Church Housing would receive 51 percent from rental of the one and two bedroom apartments and townhouses.
“There is a constant need to provide housing assistance for homeless and low-income individuals and families,” said Sen. Katie Muth. “I am proud to see multiple projects approved in our area to assist residents who may be struggling to find and maintain safe, affordable housing.”
Said state Sen. Andrew Dinniman: “These funds will greatly help these organizations as they work to provide affordable, accessible housing options and assistance to some of our residents who need them the most here in Chester County.”
The approved funding comes through the PHFA’s Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE). PHARE is funded from three sources: Marcellus Shale Impact Fees, Realty Transfer Taxes, and the National Housing Trust Fund. The approved projects include: • $2.1 million for Melton Center Apartments to construct two four-story townhomes and midrise buildings consisting of 31 one, two, three, and four-bedroom units for general occupancy.
• $55,000 for PA Home of the Sparrow to provide assistance to homeless and near homeless households in the form of rental and mortgage payments, security deposits, utility arrearages, emergency shelter and case management.
• $100,000 for Housing Authority of Chester County to install new windows at the public housing development, Locust Court.
• $150,000 for Safe Harbor of Chester County, Inc. to provide case management services to help homeless residents move toward self-sustainability and permanent housing placement.
• $1,125,000 for Pennrose, LLC to provide numerous capital improvements to Liberty House.
• $100,000 for Housing Authority of Chester County to assist Chester County residents in finding and maintaining permanent, affordable housing.
• $75,000 for Friends Association for Care & Protection of Children to provide immediate critical support to help families regain stability and long-term (12-18 months) services through their Homeless Prevention Program.
• $50,000 for Gaudenzia Foundation, Inc. to assist chronically homeless persons in recovery from substance abuse.
• $350,000 for Chester County Department of Community Development to provide services through their Decade to Doorways program that addresses homelessness in the county.
• $200,000 for Charles A. Melton Arts & Education Center to provide free culinary instruction, certification, and job placement counseling for workforce development.
“The funding announced today is a stepping stone,” said Muth. “There is still work to be done, but I am encouraged to see investments being made to combat homelessness and provide affordable housing in our communities.”