This story appears in the May 2021 issue of the Town&Gown
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the State College Community Land Trust has made its mission to sustain the vibrancy and diversity of the borough community by promoting affordable homeownership opportunities.
With 51 houses, 73 homebuyers, and providing financial education for more than 300 individuals, the land trust is focused on creating more inclusive housing opportunities.
“We hear a lot about affordable housing and the affordable housing crisis now, but even way back in 1996, pressure from Penn State student rentals and the growing university was driving housing costs up,” says Anna Kochersperger, the land trust’s outreach and development coordinator. “A lot of working families were leaving the borough at the time, so there was a keen interest to keep people in the borough, to keep a diversity of residents. Not just students, not just working families, but keep a good mix. So, the State College Community Land
Ill and on the streets As homelessness increases, so too does the need for compassionate medical care; Catholic agencies and individuals are stepping up to help Walter, homeless off and on for years, rests in the Hollywood District of Northeast Portland April 16. âEveryone on the street has a medical condition, itâs just a matter of degree,â said the 60-year-old. âI have skin and digestive difficulties. Some have cancer.â (Katie Scott/Catholic Sentinel)
select University of Portland nursing student Crystal Moran administers a flu shot to a homeless woman last fall outside Blanchet House. Emily Harrington and members of the U.P. nursing program staff a new medical clinic at the Portland nonprofit. (Courtesy Blanchet House)
Out of the Cold: Centre County can move ahead with a permanent site for an overnight homeless shelter in State College following approval of a zoning map amendment by borough council on Monday night.
After a decade of rotating its overnight shelter among faith congregations, the nonprofit organization intends to acquire The Meetinghouse on Atherton, 318 S. Atherton St., where it has leased space and operated a day shelter for the last year.
“We’ve been good stewards of that space,” Sarah Potter, OOTC program manager, said. “We’ve worked hard to be welcoming to all members of our community that are experiencing homelessness while also trying to fit into that neighborhood and be a safe and quiet neighbor. I think we’ve done a good job because this certainly has been a year of need for our homeless neighbors.”
‘Literally keeping people off the streets:’ United Way fights housing insecurity
Support for the Penn State United Way campaign empowers local nonprofits to make a difference when it’s needed most
Although a federal eviction moratorium is in place, many families are still living in a state of uncertainty about their continued access to housing. The Centre County United Way and its network of partner agencies are literally keeping people off the streets, because that is the nature of this crisis,” said Elaina Seto, basic needs case manager at Centre Helps.
Image: Patrick Mansell
‘Literally keeping people off the streets:’ United Way fights housing insecurity
State College Borough has been awarded more than $1 million in funding through the Commonwealth for its two nonprofit partners to acquire and renovate townhouses on Old Boalsburg Road for use as affordable rental units.
“All Pennsylvanians deserve access to affordable, safe, and livable spaces in their communities,” Gov. Tom Wolf said in a statement on Thursday. “This investment will support State College’s efforts to ensure that residents have affordable housing options in close proximity to the borough’s commercial corridors, downtown and Penn State University for work, school and shopping needs.”
The funds which come from the Department of Community and Economic Development’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program include $945,000 to purchase and rehabilitate eight three-bedroom townhouses on one parcel at 803-817 Old Boalsburg Road.