SEDA-COG News Release

Lewisburg, PA – SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) has been actively investigating the potential mismanagement of two housing rehabilitation projects under our administration in the Borough of Berwick. Since discovering the potential issues in 2024, SEDA-COG reported the concerns to Borough officials and to the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (PA DCED). PA DCED conducted its own investigation, resulting in findings regarding other past contracts in SEDA-COG’s grant-funded housing rehabilitation program.

SEDA-COG has a long history of working with municipal partners to create a positive impact in the region’s communities. Over the past decade, we have managed the rehabilitation of 308 homes in 14 communities with an investment of almost $15 million. The projects affected by the DCED findings represent a small number of total contracts.

As an agency devoted to public service, we continue to remain focused on improving processes and the delivery of services to the communities and the individuals we serve. We have restructured the management of the program and are committed to working with both the PA DCED and affected municipalities to efficiently and effectively take corrective action.

The SEDA-COG Board of Directors and staff are committed to providing transparency and accountability and will continue to brief its stakeholders on our efforts to comprehensively remediate the findings.

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.

For more information, please contact Nancy Osborn, Communications and Marketing Coordinator, SEDA-Council of Governments, at 570-254-4491 x7234 or 570-768-0525 or nosborn@seda-cog.org.

SEDA-COG HDC receives $450K PHARE funds to jumpstart CRIB project

Photo description: Currently vacant, this longstanding structure in the heart of Shamokin is set to undergo a multi-year, mixed-use redevelopment, with plans to include affordable housing and a potential business incubator.

Lewisburg, PA – SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has received $450,000 from the 2024 Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE), from the PA Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), to jumpstart its Coal Region Innovation Builder (CRIB) project in the City of Shamokin.

CRIB is a mixed-use redevelopment project taking a vacant, historic building in Shamokin’s downtown core and turning it into a vibrant community hub that will ultimately include eleven energy-efficient, affordable housing units and a proposed business incubator to support the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

With housing affordability continuing to be an issue in the city and region, this project will implement a rent structure that ensures accessibility for lower-income groups.

By prioritizing affordable housing and the incubator space, the project will foster financial stability for low-income families and provide opportunities for community-based businesses, creating a lasting impact on household stability and the local economy.

The $450,000 PHARE funds will be used to initiate Phase I and II of the multi-year, multi-funded project, which is expected to cost over $5 million once completed.

The PHARE funds received will cover the acquisition of the building, exterior renovations, and begin development of the first two floors—the proposed incubator, one ADA-compliant housing unit on the first floor, and five additional housing units on the second floor.

Located in the heart of the multi-million-dollar downtown Independence Street streetscape project, the CRIB project is positioned to maximize impact by revitalizing housing options and commercial spaces as part of the ongoing efforts to enhance economic resilience in Shamokin.

This funding is part of a statewide initiative unveiled earlier this week by PHFA. This year, PHFA is distributing $73 million in PHARE funding to support 387 housing and community development projects across all 67 counties, reinforcing the Commonwealth’s commitment to addressing the housing crisis and expanding access to safe, affordable housing.

About PHFA
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 $19.7 billion of funding for more than 205,147 single-family home mortgage loans, helped fund the construction of 110,284 rental units, distributed approximately $362 million to support local housing initiatives, and saved the homes of more than 51,400 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.

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 SEDA-COG HDC
The SEDA-COG HDC is a 501(c)(3) corporation that works to enhance, promote, and develop housing opportunities for low-income individuals and families in order to relieve the poor, distressed, and underprivileged, to lessen the burdens of government, and to combat community deterioration.

Training the Workforce

Are you or someone you know looking to start a career in trades?
 
This free course will help you get started. Yes, free! SEDA-COG has teamed up with SUN Tech through the Northumberland Whole Homes Repair Program to offer this training and help jumpstart careers—whether someone is new to the job market or looking for a career switch.
 
Space is limited, and applications are due by June 12, so contact SUN Area Technical Institute today! https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx…
 
This Project was financed in part by a grant from the federal Department of Treasury, under the administration of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development.

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

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