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Contact:
Trish Reilly, U.S. Rep. Tim Holden, 202-225-5546;
Neil Cotiaux, FHLBank: 412-288-2851;

REP. HOLDEN ANNOUNCES GRANTS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN DISTRICT
$370,000 to help fund three projects in Hamburg, Lebanon and Swatara Township

HARRISBURG, PA, March 19, 2007 – U.S. Rep. Tim Holden (D-17) announced today that the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank) has extended a total of $370,000 in grants through its Affordable Housing Program (AHP) for new housing for the elderly, very-low-income individuals with disabilities and a low-income Habitat for Humanity homeowner.

The biggest single grant, $200,000, was awarded to Mohn Street Accessible Housing for its Baldwin Village project. To be constructed in Swatara Township at 400 Mohn Street beginning this spring, Baldwin Village will provide twelve units of rental housing for very-low-income individuals with disabilities. All units will be single-story and fully accessible. An independent living specialist, knowledgeable about the needs of persons with diverse disabilities, will be assigned to the complex to assure that each resident receives necessary support services. Community Banks, NA worked with Mohn Street to secure the AHP grant.

Congressman Holden also announced the awarding of grants to projects in Hamburg and Lebanon.

To be located at the corner of Pine Street and Peach Alley in Hamburg, The Knitting Mill on Peach Alley will be a 27-apartment facility for seniors. The project’s sponsors, Alliance for Building Communities and GKH Consulting Company, received a $162,000 grant to help finance construction. Formerly the Hamburg Knitting Mill, the two-story brick structure will offer four wheelchair-accessible units, two for frail elderly and another for the hearing or vision-impaired. Rehabilitation of the historic building will result in the creation of energy-efficient apartments with a landscaped courtyard and 28 onsite parking spaces. One block from Hamburg’s main shopping area, the development will be within walking distance of medical offices, pharmacies, a senior center, food markets, churches and other services. Hamburg is a designated Blueprint Community, one of 22 such communities chosen by FHLBank Pittsburgh for technical and funding support to advance sustainable growth. PNC Bank, NA delivered the AHP grant.

FHLBank’s AHP also extended an $8,000 grant for a handicap-accessible, single-family home to be built by Habitat for Humanity of Lebanon County as part of the Worden Street Project. Lebanon Valley Farmers Bank delivered the grant.

“FHLBank and its three members, Community Banks, Lebanon Valley Farmers Bank and PNC Bank, are to be commended for continuing to support affordable housing across the 17th District,” Congressman Holden said. “These three projects are just the latest examples of our ongoing efforts to provide clean, safe, affordable housing for the most vulnerable members of our society.”

Created by Congress in 1932, FHLBank Pittsburgh currently serves the needs of 334 member-owner financial institutions. It provides them with a steady stream of liquidity in all economic cycles for the good of their communities. FHLBank is wholly funded with private capital, not taxpayer dollars.