HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency announced today that three Schuylkill County community grants will fight blight and create more housing options in Frackville, Minersville, and Tamaqua. Senator Dave Argall noted that “these tax credits and grants are highly competitive – only first rate projects that applied received funding.”
The Miners Loft project will rehabilitate a long-vacant garment factory on Lewis Street in Minersville into 30 senior citizen residential units. It will also feature commercial space for adult day care and medical services. The project previously received funding through tax credits and through the PennHOMES program administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Financing Agency (PHFA) and will now receive an additional $1,075,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement fund (PHARE).
The Bank on Broad project will substantially rehabilitate three different three and four-story buildings for general occupancy in downtown Tamaqua. The renovations will take place at 112 West Broad Street, as well as the upper floor apartments above the Tamaqua Historical Society and the apartments in the Berwick House. This project will be awarded tax credits of $485,065 and will receive a grant of $500,000 from PennHOMES.
The Frackville Flats project on Center and Frack streets will be a new, three-story building consisting of 30 different units that will be available for persons aged 62 or older. This project will receive $1,021,192 in tax credits, $500,000 in funding from PHARE, and $1,452,760 in funding from PennHOMES.
“I’m pleased that two projects in my legislative district – Frackville Flats and Miners Loft – will receive funding,” said state Rep. Neal P. Goodman. “These projects will help seniors remain in the communities they know and close to their friends and loved ones. These projects also will breathe new life into old properties, helping to revitalize Frackville and Minersville.”
Representative Jerry Knowles of Schuylkill County added, “I’m happy to see the expansion of housing availability in three Schuylkill County neighborhoods. The new apartments being created through the rehabilitation and preservation of Tamaqua properties will enable new generations of families to enjoy a truly great community.”
Contact: Jim Brugger
717.783.3849