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SEDA-COG Housing Development Corporation Secures $1,350,000 Grant for Georgetown Heights Elderly Housing Complex Improvements

Posted on October 23, 2023 by DNS Admin

Dalmatia, PA– The SEDA-COG Housing Development Corporation (HDC) is thrilled to announce the securing of a $1,350,000 Housing Options grant funds from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, aimed at facilitating crucial improvements to the Georgetown Heights elderly housing complex located at 113 Georgetown Heights, Dalmatia.

Investing in Our Elderly Community
Georgetown Heights, operating under Dalmatia Elderly Housing Associates, L.P., is a pivotal 3-story housing complex, spanning 26,523 square feet and comprising 24 apartments (2 two-bedroom and 22 one-bedroom units). This grant will be instrumental in implementing several enhancements to the facility, ensuring it continues to provide a secure, comfortable, and accessible living environment for its residents while meeting current ADA compliance standards.

SEDA-COG manages Georgetown Heights on behalf of the HDC. Leslie Osgood, chief of the SEDA-COG’s rental housing department stated, “We are thrilled and honored to receive the $1,350,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency for Georgetown Heights in Dalmatia. This funding will enable us to make significant improvements to the property, including replacing the roof, installing new HVAC systems, and upgrading apartments and community areas to meet current ADA compliance standards. If any funds remain, our goal is to further enhance sustainability by installing solar panels, making Georgetown Heights a potential net-zero energy building. We are committed to creating a safe, accessible, and environmentally friendly community for our residents.”

A Commitment to Quality Living and Environmental Sustainability
The grant funds will be judiciously utilized to replace the roof, install new HVAC systems, and upgrade apartments and community areas. Furthermore, in a bid to promote environmental sustainability and potentially establish the site as a net-zero energy building, any remaining funds will be allocated towards the installation of solar panels.

About SEDA-COG Housing Development Corporation
SEDA-COG’s Housing Development Corporation provides and maintains quality, safe, accessible, and affordable housing options for SEDA-COG’s 11-county region elderly population.

About SEDA-COG
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.

About the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency works to provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for older adults, low- and moderate-income families, and people with special housing needs. Through its carefully managed mortgage programs and investments in multifamily housing developments, PHFA also promotes economic development across the state. Since its creation by the legislature in 1972, it has generated more than $17.6 billion of funding for more than 195,250 single family home mortgage loans, helped fund the construction of 103,328 rental units, distributed approximately $239 million to support local housing initiatives, and saved the homes of more than 50,860 families from foreclosure. PHFA programs and operations are funded primarily by the sale of securities and from fees paid by program users, not by public tax dollars. The agency is governed by a 14-member board.

For more information, please contact Kristen Moyer, Chief of Staff, SEDA-Council of Governments, at 570-522-7212 or kmoyer@seda-cog.org

Lockwood 1 of 4 Pennsylvanians Selected as an Appalachian Leadership Institute Fellow for 2023-2024

Posted on September 27, 2023 by DNS Admin

New class of 40 fellows represents public, private, and nonprofit sectors across Appalachia’s 13 states Washington, DC, September 26, 2023 — Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced the 40 fellows selected for the 2023-2024 Class of the Appalachian Leadership Institute (ALI), a free leadership and economic development training opportunity for individuals currently living and/or working in one of ARC’s 13 Appalachian states.

The 2023-2024 class comprises a diverse network of professionals representing all 13 Appalachian states and a wide spectrum of perspectives and sectors, including tourism, healthcare, education, civil service, and more. The nine-month curriculum is anchored by six multi-day seminars across the Appalachian Region, focusing on each of ARC’s strategic investment priorities, which aim to strengthen economic and community growth in Appalachia.

From October 2023 through July 2024, this class will focus on skill-building seminars and best practice reviews to prepare fellows to:

· Design effective economic development project proposals
· Integrate community assets into long-term economic development strategies
· Identify resources available to spark economic and community development
· Locate and access investment capital from a variety of public and private sources
· Prepare competitive applications for public grant opportunities
· Use expanded connections and leadership skills to create strong regional partnerships

“Growing and supporting the next generation of Appalachian leaders is integral to the future success of our region,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “I send my sincerest congratulations to the newest round of Appalachian Leadership Institute fellows, as well as my appreciation for all the work and passion they put into helping their communities thrive and compete.”

Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) works with ARC through the Center for Strategic Partnerships to identify potential ALI Fellows. Jennifer Lench, Pennsylvania’s ARC State Program Manager said, “We are excited for the new round of fellows and what they will contribute to Appalachia Pennsylvania. We are also pleased that one of our Local Development District professionals was selected to participate.”

The fifth class of Appalachian Leadership Institute fellows were selected via a competitive application process to reflect the Appalachian region’s wide range of economic development challenges, opportunities, and strategies. Elizabeth Lockwood, Director, Project Development/Grants, Economic Development Program, SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG), Lewisburg, was one of the 40 selected to participate. Lockwood said, “I’m honored to be chosen as one of the four Pennsylvanians to participate in this prestigious program and to have the opportunity to use the skills I learn to enhance community and economic development in the SEDA-COG 11-county region and Pennsylvania.”

“The Appalachian Leadership Institute supports leaders already doing amazing work across Pennsylvania and the entire Appalachian region,” said Kim Wheeler, SEDA-COG’s Executive Director. “This program capitalizes on the incredibly talented people who are already invested in these special communities. When we invest in our people, we’re building a brighter future for generations to come.”

To learn more about the program, visit: arc.gov/leadership. To meet the 2023-2024 class of fellows and learn more about how they are working to transform their Appalachian communities, visit this link.

About the Appalachian Leadership Institute
The Appalachian Leadership Institute is a comprehensive regional leadership training program developed by the Appalachian Regional Commission in partnership with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; The Howard H. Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs; Tuskegee University; and Collective Impact. Learn more at www.arc.gov/leadership.

About the Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. Learn more at www.arc.gov

Berwick Borough Looking to Expand Waitlist for Housing Rehabilitation Grant

Posted on August 10, 2023 by DNS Admin

Berwick Borough is applying to the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $300,000 housing rehabilitation grant and interested residents who live within the borough limits should apply now to get on the waiting list for the no-cost repairs.

Qualified residents may receive up to $65,000 each for home repairs. The borough will provide up to $50,000, as a no-interest loan, which will be forgiven if the property is not sold or transferred for at least five years after the rehabilitation is complete. The borough will also provide an additional $15,000 in funding that will be used to do rehabilitation work related to lead-based paint abatement or mitigation, as required.

The borough has partnered with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) to administer the grant. Interested residents may call SEDA-COG to speak with Audrey Frederick 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 for this service to be received at no cost.

“SEDA-COG manages the entire process for the homeowner,” said Joel Ruch, Housing Rehabilitation Manager of the agency’s Community Services Division. Ruch 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 borough limits of Berwick;
• Own the home or have Life Rights to live in it;
• Meet income qualifications based on household size;
• Be current on all local taxes and municipal utility bills;
• Provide proof of homeowner’s insurance;
• If located in a flood zone, must provide proof of flood insurance;
• Live in the home an additional five years.

Additional requirements may apply.

Annual Gross Income Limits:
Family size: 1 – $43,900; 2 – $50,150; 3 – $56,400; 4 – $62,650; 5 – $67,700; 6 – $72,700; 7 – $77,700; 8 – $82,700.

Montour County Looking to Expand Waitlist for Housing Rehabilitation Grant

Posted on August 10, 2023 by DNS Admin

Montour County is applying to the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $300,000 housing rehabilitation grant and interested residents who live within the county limits should apply now to get on the waiting list for the no-cost repairs.

Qualified residents may receive up to $65,000 each for home repairs. The county will provide up to $50,000, as a no-interest loan, which will be forgiven if the property is not sold or transferred for at least five years after the rehabilitation is complete. The county will also provide an additional $15,000 in funding that will be used to do rehabilitation work related to lead-based paint abatement or mitigation, as required.

Montour County has partnered with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) to administer the grant. Interested residents may call SEDA-COG to speak with Audrey Frederick 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.

“SEDA-COG manages the entire process for the homeowner,” said Joel Ruch, Housing Rehabilitation Manager of the agency’s Community Services Division. Ruch continued, “We help the homeowner get the necessary home repairs and manage the logistics from start to finish.”

Qualifications:

• Must live in Montour County;
• Own the home or have Life Rights to live in it;
• Meet income qualifications based on household size;
• Be current on all local taxes and municipal utility bills;
• Provide proof of homeowner’s insurance;
• If located in a flood zone, must provide proof of flood insurance;
• Live in the home an additional five years.

Additional requirements may apply.

Annual Gross Income Limits:
Family size: 1 – $50,900; 2 – $58,150; 3 – $65,400; 4 – $72,650; 5 – $78,500; 6 – $84,300; 7 – $90,100; 8 – $95,900.