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Affordable Housing Program Success Stories
United Bank’s Affordable Housing Funding Offers ‘Rea of Hope’ for Recovering West Virginia Women and Their Families
The wait for women seeking alcohol and drug addiction recovery program services is a little shorter thanks to the help of United Bank and project sponsor Rea of Hope, Inc., a Charleston, W.Va.-based women’s drug and alcohol addiction recovery facility. The facility has maintained a waiting list since 2007. With the recent opening of two rehabbed homes last summer – Rea of Hope II – the recovery program can help a few more women in need sooner.
FHLBank Pittsburgh member United Bank provided $250,000 in Affordable Housing Program (AHP) funds to help meet total development costs of $491,950. Other funding partners include West Virginia Affordable Housing Trust Fund, West Virginia Housing Development Fund, Hilliard Lyons, BB&T - Carson Insurance Agency, Capitol Resource Agency and the West Virginia Department of Health & Human Services Division on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.
Marie Beaver, executive director of Rea of Hope, Inc., said, “The $250,000 AHP funding from United Bank was instrumental in allowing Rea of Hope to complete the project. The funds were used for acquiring and rehabbing the two properties. We were able to install new HVAC systems, kitchens, roofs and baths, making these houses dream homes for many.”
Located next door to Rea of Hope New Life Apartments – another AHP funded project – the 204 Beauregard Street property includes four units for women in recovery. The 206 Beauregard Street facility will provide two apartments for graduates of the recovery program, allowing them to be reunited with their children and to serve as role models for new residents in the program.
The recovery program is structured to encourage personal growth and responsibility. Residents must agree to a six-month commitment and are required to work, attend school and volunteer in the community, with a goal of establishing themselves as responsible members of the community.
One successful graduate with a family said, “Last winter, my 11-year old daughter came to live with me at New Life Apartments, and soon after that, my 16-year old son joined us. Last summer, we moved into the new apartments at 206 Beauregard Street and let me tell you, it is the nicest home that we have ever lived in. My children have thrived in our new home.”
The graduate continued, “By coming to Rea of Hope and moving into New Life Apartments, my children have a really good chance of not making the same mistakes I did; the cycle has been broken. For the first time ever, we have a stable home life; we are safe and thriving in life. There are not enough words to express my gratitude for all the supporters who make Rea of Hope possible for people like me.”
To date, members of FHLBank Pittsburgh have shared more than $171 million in AHP funds and helped build 26,000 units of housing within the communities they serve, making these communities better places to live, do business, save, borrow and invest.
More Success Stories…
Restored Historic Buildings Make Way for Affordable Housing in Tamaqua, Pa.
Community developers in the Borough of Tamaqua, located in Schuylkill County in northeastern Pennsylvania, have been busy the last several years spearheading community revitalization efforts to transform historic, vacant buildings into affordable housing for residents.
Late Heir Provides Gift for Housing Philadelphia’s Homeless – Helps Veterans and Adults with Special Needs
The late James Widener Ray, living on the apparent edge of homelessness for years in Seattle, talked to anyone who might listen about living a lifestyle of opulence and wealth. Little did anyone know that Ray was telling the truth.
Continuing the “Blueprint” for Change in Wilkinsburg
Positive change is happening throughout the Borough of Wilkinsburg, a 2.1-square-mile community located nine miles east of downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2005, Wilkinsburg was named one of 22 Pennsylvania Blueprint Communities (BC) – an FHLBank Pittsburgh initiative designed to help older neighborhoods get their second wind and plan for community renewal. Over the past seven years, it has been full steam ahead for Wilkinsburg BC team members.
Seeing Green – AHP Funding from Valley Green Bank Supports Green Affordable Housing in West Philadelphia
Instead of looking at run-down vacant buildings in the area east of 40th Street and Lancaster Avenue in West Philadelphia, residents will be seeing a lot more green, thanks in part to the grand opening of an environmentally friendly affordable housing apartment building for families moving out of transitional housing called Jannie’s Place.
Late 19th Century Allentown Apartment Building Gets a Facelift and a Whole Lot More
The former Rosenfeld Apartments in downtown Allentown were in serious need of repair. Built in the late 1800’s and last renovated forty to fifty years ago, basic infrastructure was obsolete and safety issues were a concern of residents. The 24-unit affordable housing complex recently got a facelift and a new name – “Greystone Apartments” – thanks to project sponsor Alliance for Building Communities (ABC Housing). The new name reflects the architectural significance of the turn-of-the-century project.
New Townhomes Bring Vibrant Change to Philadelphia Neighborhood
What was once a blighted area comprised of vacant lots and a brownfield in North Philadelphia’s St. Hugh community is now speckled with fifty new affordable townhomes featuring a variety of colorful facades and decorative details that mirror the Latino culture of the community. Called Lawrence Court I, the homes’ exteriors display wrought iron railings, window boxes and decorative trim that are consistent with the neighborhood.
Adaptive Reuse Facility Brings Senior Housing to Chester County
After four years in the making, the Borough of Elverson, located in northwest Chester County, Pennsylvania, recently celebrated the grand opening of Hopewell Manor. Comprised of 71 one- and two-bedroom rental apartments for seniors, the project recycled a utilitarian firehouse and transformed it into a beautiful residential development. Proceeds from the sale of the old firehouse enabled the Twin Valley Fire Department to construct a new fire station in Elverson.
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