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2004 Press Releases

Contact:
R.C. Hammond, press secretary, Rep. Capito, 202-225-2711
Neil Cotiaux, FHLBank of Pittsburgh: 412-288-2851; cell: 330-703-0753; Neil.cotiaux@fhlb-pgh.com

REP. CAPITO, FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK UNVEIL HELP FOR THE HOMELESS WITH EXPANDED ST. ALBANS CENTER,
NEW, REHABBED HOUSING IN CHARLESTON
Habitat housing in western part of state also receives grant

ST. ALBANS, WV, October 18, 2004 — U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (WV-2) today announced the release of grants to help fund an expanded shelter for the homeless in St. Albans, new and rehabilitated apartments for homeless with disabilities in Charleston, and construction of Habitat for Humanity housing in Pendleton County.

Capito and representatives of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank) announced a total of $190,000 in Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grants for the three projects during a check presentation ceremony at the Twin Cities Center in St. Albans. The grants are bestowed annually by the FHLBank to support affordable housing and general community development.

The grants announced today support expansion of the Twin Cities Center, serving the chronically homeless in Kanawha and Putnam counties; new and rehabilitated housing for homeless with mental illnesses at Assaley Place Apartments on Charleston's East End; and new homes by Habitat for Humanity in Pendleton County, making homeownership a reality for very-low- to moderate-income families.

"At least 370 homeless clients a year are expected to be served by the Twin Cities and Assaley Place projects as a result of these generous grants," Rep. Capito remarked. "Release of these funds will not only provide critical shelter for these individuals, but will also facilitate essential support services. In addition, Habitat for Humanity will be able to build five new homes for families in need.

"Safe, clean, accessible housing remains a major priority across our state, most especially for the homeless and those with infirmities," the congresswoman added.

"Today's awards are part of $4.8 million in grants for 2004 under the Bank's Affordable Housing Program," stated William G. Batz, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the FHLBank. "Thanks to the support of Congressman Capito and our participating member banks, Huntington Federal Savings Bank, Pendleton County Bank and United Bank, our mission to assure the flow of credit and other services for housing and community development continues to be met."

The $190,000 in affordable housing grants announced today encompasses:

• $75,000 for completion of the Twin Cities Center at St. Albans. Sponsor: Roark-Sullivan Lifeway Center, Inc. of Charleston. Begun in May 2003, the Center already serves several dozen chronically homeless individuals by providing shelter and community support services. The grant just announced will fund 16 safe-haven units, two of which are dedicated to serving frail elderly. Roark-Sullivan Lifeway Center anticipates serving a total of 360 clients in the year following completion of the expanded center, set for March 2005, with a 20 percent increase in residency during each successive year of operation. Roark-Sullivan Lifeway Center also operates the Giltiman Center, a 60-bed facility for homeless adult men at 505 Leon Sullivan Way in Charleston. Additional funding for the expanded Twin Cities Center comes from Twin Cities Ministries, Inc., the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and through in-kind contributions from churches and individuals.
  
  
• $60,000 for the construction or rehabilitation of eight units for homeless individuals diagnosed with chronic and debilitating mental illnesses, at Assaley Place Apartments on Charleston's East End. Sponsor: Housing Development Corporation of Huntington. The units will be created on three vacant and blighted properties within two blocks of each other. Two new rental units will be constructed on a donated vacant lot (1532 Jackson Street); four apartments in an existing 2½-story brick building will be rehabilitated (1410 Jackson Street); and two apartments will be rehabbed in an existing 2½-story wood-frame building (1535 Dixie Street). All apartments will preserve the neighborhood's architecture and will meet the EPA's energy-star ratings for electrical systems, plumbing, windows, doors, appliances and heating units. A Section 811 rental housing program, Assaley Place supports the City of Charleston's "Bridges To Tomorrow" Comprehensive Plan and the East End Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. Prestera Center for Mental Health Services, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Continuum of Care and consumer advocacy groups will make client placement referrals. Proposed residents will have a current diagnosis of long-term, disabling mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, psychosis and personality disorders. HUD and City of Charleston funds also support the Assaley Place project, which is scheduled for completion by July 1, 2006.
  
  
• $55,000 for construction of five new single-family homes across scattered sites through Pendleton County for very-low- to moderate-income families, to be built by Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity. To fulfill its mission of replacing substandard and poverty housing with simple, decent housing, Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity uses volunteer labor, guided by an experienced construction staff, to build homes that are affordable, energy-efficient and cost-effective. Building five or six new homes annually, Almost Heaven also provides repair and rehab work to Pendleton County residents in need. It has built 58 new homes since its founding in 1988. Additional funding for the latest wave of construction comes from Funding for Humanity, USDA Rural Development and in-kind donations.

Since the AHP began in 1990, the FHLBank of Pittsburgh has awarded $121 million in housing grants for projects in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Of that total, $104.9 million was awarded through the AHP funding rounds and $16.1 million through the Home Buyer Equity Fund (HBEF), the FHLBank program that assists first-time homebuyers with down payment and closing costs. AHP funding, leveraged with funding from other sources, has resulted in more than $1.7 billion in total development, representing more than 19,000 affordable housing units.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, with assets of more than $63 billion, serves nearly 350 financial institution members in Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. It is one of twelve FHLBanks, all private cooperatively owned banks that provide wholesale housing finance, community lending and correspondent banking services to member banks, savings institutions, credit unions and insurance companies.