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"This project has
been three years in the making," said Chuck
Gassert, Executive Director of the Housing
Authority of the County of Dauphin and President of
Mohn St. Accessible Housing Inc., "from the
origination of the project to the groundbreaking,
the concept has remained the same: to provide
fully-accessible, affordable housing for
lower-income people living with disabilities." "A need was recognized to provide accessible housing for people with disabilities in this area," said Lynn Stewart, Director of Housing at CILCP, "Baldwin Village represents a collaboration of people and organizations working together to meet this need and provide people living with disabilities many features to make their homes completely accessible." The funding for the project came from a variety of sources including a primary grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for just over $1.5 million and secondary grants from seven different organizations including: CILCP, the Redevelopment Authority of Dauphin County, the Housing Authority of the County of Dauphin, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, the Pa. Department of Community and Economic Development and two Dauphin County HOME Grants for a combined total of over $2.4 million. Baldwin Village will be constructed at 400 Mohn Street in Swatara Township, across the street from Latsha Towers; construction is scheduled to be underway beginning this week. The project will provide 12 fully-accessible rental units for people with disabilities consisting of 10 one-bedroom units and two, two-bedroom units. Special features of the units include adequate turnaround space, countertops easily accessible for a person who uses a wheelchair, cabinets with easy-topspin latches, lowered light switches, fully accessible bathrooms, pocket doors to increase living space, and a variety of accessible appliances including a front-load washing machine, a side-by-side refrigerator, a drop-in range, a fire safety system for the blind, deaf and hard of hearing including a bed vibrator, horn and strobe lights -- and more. "This project has been three years in the making," said Chuck Gassert, Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the County of Dauphin and President of Mohn St. Accessible Housing Inc., "from the origination of the project to the groundbreaking, the concept has remained the same: to provide fully-accessible, affordable housing for lower-income people living with disabilities." Those involved in the
establishment of Baldwin Village officially break
ground. "Accessible, affordable housing is one of the top five barriers for people living with disabilities," said Theotis Braddy, Executive Director of CILCP during the press conference. "We must constantly be aware of those with disabilities and those acquiring disabilities and continue to provide housing so they can participate fully in all aspects of society. About CILCP CILCP is a nonprofit, non-residential organization established for and by people with disabilities and serves Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry, Mifflin and Juniata counties. Services are also available to families of individuals with disabilities, community service providers, governmental agencies, and private businesses. CILCP's vision is to empower people with disabilities to fully participate in all aspects of society and to live their best. For more information on how you can live your best, please call our Living Well With A Disability Hotline for your free assessment at 1-877-865-4893. About the Tri-County Housing Development Corporation Tri-County Housing Development Corporation (Tri-County HDC) is a not-for-profit organization that provides the community a full spectrum of housing and redevelopment products. Tri-County HDC offers its funding partners highly leveraged tools designed to improve neighborhoods and positively impact the tax base. Through the completion of fiscally viable projects, Tri-County HDC, will increase its capacity and stabilize the communities that it serves. About Mohn Street Accessible Housing, Inc . Mohn Street Accessible Housing, Inc. (MSAH) is a single-purpose, 501 c (3) non-profit corporation which was formed for the exclusive purpose of owning, managing and maintaining Baldwin Village for its entire existence. HUD requires that projects developed through its Section 811 Program be owned by a 501 c (3) non-profit corporation; therefore, MSAH was formed for this exclusive purpose. For more information on this press release, please contact Jamie Fulginiti at 717.975.2148 or via email at jfulginiti@hersheyphilbin.com. (Click Here for More Photos from the Baldwin Village Ground Breaking) |
