Planning Director Jodi Brennan said the county had recently solicited applications for affordable housing activities to be funded by the Clearfield County Affordable Housing Fund. She said the projects considered must increase the availability of quality and affordable housing either through sales or rentals to any county resident whose annual income is less than the median income of the county.
She said eligible projects included owner-occupied rehabilitation, rental rehabilitation, first-time home buyers programs, housing counseling programs, emergency repair programs, elderly, special needs and disabled housing, veterans housing, new home construction, land banks, transitional housing, homeless shelters, community stabilization programs, foreclosure prevention, emergency rental assistance and bridge loans for rental housing development.
Brennan said the county’s Planning & Community Development office received four applications based upon the program’s guidelines. However, she recommended three projects to the commissioners that were proposed by Cen-Clear Child Services, Central PA Community Action and the Moshannon Valley Council of Governments.
She said Cen-Clear had requested $15,000 for its Specialized Housing Counseling Initiative to assist 60 low-income families and individuals who are homeless or seeking housing assistance due to inadequate or substandard housing. She said this program helps these individuals to identify their housing needs, provides the appropriate housing counseling and training and links them to necessary housing services. She said Cen-Clear assisted 60 families through this program last year, and she likes this program, as it helps low-income families with children.
Brennan said the CPCA had requested $15,000 for its First-time Homebuyers Assistance Program. She said this program will assist 15 qualifying families become first-time homeowners by providing them with pre-purchase housing counseling services and financial assistance with down payment and closing costs that are needed to ensure a successful home ownership experience. She said this project includes a $15,000 match that was provided by two local banks.
Brennan said the Moshannon Valley COG had requested $15,000 for its Blight Prevention Pilot program. She said it is pursing efforts to maintain an affordable housing stock. She said 15 local municipalities have agreed to participate in the COG pilot program that’s designed to deter blight through preventative maintenance measures, such as adopting basic property codes and providing for a property code professional. She said this professional will work proactively with homeowners to provide housing prevention maintenance education, as well as to make information available about housing rehabilitation programs that can assist them financially to make the necessary repairs.