BELLEFONTE — The nonprofit that’s building apartments for low-income, elderly residents at The Oaks at Pleasant Gap is applying for federal funding in hopes of constructing another project.
The Centre County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to award $20,000 to support the Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries’ effort and application to the U.S. Housing and Urban Development for financing.
The county provided $25,000 for the 14-apartment project that is under construction and expected to be finished in the fall. The money comes from the real estate transfer tax that the county collects.
CEO Patricia Savage said the nonprofit had applied for HUD funding for a second phase, but was turned down. The group is trying again, applying for $2 million to build another 14 units for people 62 and older who meet the income guidelines.
She said the group is not allowed to start taking names for the residential waiting list until 75 percent of the project has been completed.
County planner Linda Marshall said the developments are a big help in meeting the county’s need for low-income housing.
“We rely on faith-based organizations, as well as nonprofits and for-profit developers to step up to the plate to meet these needs,” Marshall said, so it makes sense to use county funds for affordable housing to support those efforts.
County support also helps applications because it shows the project has community support, she said.
Savage said the nonprofit likely will not know until April or May 2012 if it will receive the HUD financing.
Also Tuesday, commissioners approved an agreement between the county, Grange Fair and Northwest Savings Bank to authorize funding of the equine facility that’s receiving $1 million in state support.
The money will go toward building a 50,000-square-foot facility that will allow the Grange fairgrounds to be used for horse shows and other events. The county is acting as a pass-through for the state support and isn’t liable for the financing.
County Planning Director Bob Jacobs explained that Northwest Savings is providing interim financing for the project to get started. Once the state submits the grant to the county, the county will pass it on to Northwest on behalf of Grange Fair.
He said the project should be completed by August, in time for this year’s fair.
Commissioners praised the project and the economic development it will help promote.
“It will be a nice complement to the facilities that are at Grange Fair,” Chairman Jon Eich said.
Anne Danahy can be reached at 231-4648.
