June 8, 2022 – SEDA Council of Governments

SEDA-COG and Union County Housing Authority Partner for Contractor Breakfast

Posted on June 8, 2022 by

On Monday, June 20, 2022, from 8-9:30 a.m., SEDA Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) and the Union County Housing Authority (UCHA) are partnering to host a contractor breakfast. This event will be held at the East Buffalo Township Building, 586 Fairground Rd, Lewisburg, PA 17837. Registration is required for this event. To register, contact SEDA-COG’s Danielle Rippon at 570-524-4491 or drippon@seda-cog.org.

Since 1989, SEDA-COG’s Housing Rehabilitation Program has invested $32 million in 9 counties and over 1,000 homes. The Program rehabilitates homes for limited-income families on behalf of our partnering communities (the Boroughs of Berwick, Jersey Shore, Milton, Mount Carmel and South Williamsport. The Counties of Juniata, Montour, Snyder, Sullivan, and Perry. The Cities of Lock Haven, Shamokin and Sunbury, the Town of Bloomsburg, and the Township of Mount Carmel.)

UCHA has been administering their Residential Rehabilitation Program since 1983. As of April 2022, 1054, homes throughout Union County have been rehabilitated. The purpose of the program is to allow people to remain in their homes and community. It also helps the community by preventing the deterioration of properties and blight. This program and other programs and services offered by UCHA aim to meet the mission of providing safe, decent, sanitary, affordable housing to income eligible residents and to provide related community services within Union County.

“This breakfast will provide an amazing opportunity for local contractors to learn the minimum requirements to get pre-approved for the various work opportunities provided by SEDA-COG, UCHA, and our client communities,” said Teri Provost, director of SEDA-COG’s Housing Rehabilitation program.

Sharon Leon, Executive Director of Union County Housing Authority, shared her thoughts, “UCHA is excited to work collaboratively with SEDA-COG to host this breakfast. We know there are quality contractors in this area, and our hope is to engage these contractors to work with our programs.

SEDA-COG is a community and economic development agency in Lewisburg and is one of seven Local Development Districts in Pennsylvania. SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in the 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives.

Home Rehab Grant Waitlist for Mount Carmel Township

Posted on June 8, 2022 by

The Township of Mount Carmel anticipates receiving a $300,000 housing rehabilitation grant and interested residents should apply now to get on the waiting list for the no-cost repairs.

Qualified residents may receive up to $50,000 for housing rehabilitation expenses and an additional $15,000 if lead-based paint hazard reduction is required.

Interested residents may call SEDA-COG’s call Stacy Anderson at 570-524-4491 Ext. 7215.

Eligible repairs include structural, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating/furnace, window replacement, radon and lead-based paint mitigation, and energy-related improvements. Modifications for mobility-impaired residents are also eligible within this program. Homeowners must maintain home residency over a five-year period from the date of signing in order for this service to be received at no cost.

“SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) manages the entire process for the homeowner,” said Teri Provost, Director of the agency’s Housing Rehabilitation program.

Provost continued, “Not only does the homeowner get necessary home repairs, but they also get the benefit of going through the process hassle-free as we manage the logistics from start to finish.”

Qualifications:
• Must live in the Township limits of Mount Carmel;
• Own the home or have Life Rights to live in it;
• Meet income qualifications based on household size;
• Be current on local taxes and municipal utility bills;
• Provide proof of homeowner’s insurance;
• Live in the home an additional five years.

Additional requirements may apply.

Annual Gross Income Limits until 6/14/22:
Family size: 1 – $36,800; 2 – $42,050; 3 – $47,300; 4 – $52,550; 5 – $56,800; 6 – $61,000; 7 – $65,200; 8 – $69,400.

Annual Gross Income Limits as of 6/15/22:
Family size: 1 – $40,850; 2 – $46,650; 3 – $52,500; 4 – $58,300; 5 – $63,000; 6 – $67,650; 7 – $72,300; 8 – $77,000.

New Hire in SEDA-COG’s Community Development Program

Posted on June 8, 2022 by

SEDA-COG recently welcomed Anthony McKenney as a Program Assistant in the Community Development Program.

McKenney is a 2021 graduate of Bloomsburg University with a degree in History and a minor in Political Science. AJ is currently a member of the Catawissa Borough Council and a committee member of Columbia County Tax Collection. During his time at Bloomsburg University, McKenney worked on the McGee Project. This project created a digital database of historical documents. McKenney also participated in the Migrant Education Program and student taught at Shamokin Area High School.

SEDA-COG is a community and economic development agency in Lewisburg and is one of seven Local Development Districts in Pennsylvania. SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in the 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives.

SEDA-COG Community Development Aids Communities in Achieving CDBG Funds

Posted on June 8, 2022 by

SEDA-COG’s Community Development Program recently helped communities in Clinton, Northumberland, Centre, and Juniata Counties receive Community Block Grant Development (CDBG) competitive and Community Development Block Grant-CARES Act (CDBG-CV) funding. The awarded funds will go towards updating existing water and/or sewer systems to help improve the quality of life for residents.

“This funding will help residents receive access to drinkable water, improved services, and help protect public health and safety. Most of us take systems like these for granted, and the better quality of life these residents will have as a result of these improvement projects can’t be overstated,” said Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf in a press release.

The boroughs of South Renovo and Renovo in Clinton County are receiving $1,019,386 to complete a freshwater infrastructure system, benefiting 302 customers. The water infrastructure in both boroughs was installed in the early 1900s, and the entire 1,670-foot waterline under Pine Street from the eastern side of 4th Street will be replaced. Upon completion, South Renovo borough will consolidate the water system with Renovo Borough, which will allow residents of South Renovo Borough to have lower user rates.

$1,518,812 will be going to updates on the water system in Herndon Borough/Jackson Township, Northumberland County. The current water treatment system consists of four wells, a collection basin, reservoir, water treatment facilities, 9,400 lineal feet of cast-iron water main along Route 147, and approximately 1,400 lineal feet of water distribution piping. The cast iron main line that runs from the reservoir and the main water line were part of the original water treatment system constructed in the late 1930s. The main water line will also likely not withstand right-of-way road construction that is slated for 2024. Upgrades will help the system’s 213 users, who have experienced disruptions due to breaks in the aged water lines.

Water system improvements to the Haines Aaronsburg Municipal Authority (HAMA) in Centre County are receiving $1,148,650. The funds will be used to install the raw water transmission main from Well No. 8 to the water treatment plant and to replace the old above-ground cast iron finished water transmission main from the plant to the distribution system. This phase will also replace and relocate the existing Henry Street pressure relief valve.

The Village of McAlisterville in Juniata County will receive $1,000,000 to drill and construct new wells and a water storage tank. Currently, the village is using a water system that gets a significant portion of its potable water from two springs fed by a nearby water source and the distribution lines from those springs were hand-laid in the early 1900s. The new storage tank will hold an estimated 150,000 gallons of water, giving McAlisterville and the system’s 501 users an adequate, emergency water supply. The completed additions to the water system will be located on the ridge above Dunn Valley Road.

“We are immensely proud of the hard work done by the counties and by the Community Development staff here at SEDA-COG. To receive one CDBG competitive grant in a year is an accomplishment, but to receive 4 is a major win for the residents of Renovo, South Renovo, Herndon Borough, Jackson Township, Aaronsburg, and McAlisterville. Special thanks go to Kristin McLaughlin, Linda Sterling, Mitzi Gallagher-Long, and Heather Weisen for the phenomenal partnerships they’ve built with our counties and communities. I would also like to thank all of the legislators and county commissioners for their help, they were integral to each project’s success,” said Tyler Dombroski, Director of the SEDA-COG Community Development Program.

According to Gov. Wolf’s press release, “CDBG funds enable communities to effectively address local community development needs by providing federal funds to develop viable communities through the provision of modest housing and a suitable living environment. Funds are also used to expand economic opportunities geared to low-and moderate-income individuals and to improve infrastructure critical to community health and welfare.”

As a community and economic development agency, SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives. SEDA-COG also is an advocate for the interests of its communities at the state and federal levels. For more information, visit www.seda-cog.org.