Conklin: Nearly $700K secured for affordable housing projects, housing programs and assistance
Rep. Scott Conklin June 17, 2025 | 3:11 PM
STATE COLLEGE, June 17 – New housing resources are coming to Centre County and the region, thanks to $685,000 in grant funding from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, state Rep. Scott Conklin announced today.
Conklin, D-Centre, said the funding includes $550,000 to support construction on two housing projects, including $200,000 for continued work to transform the historic James Stott Building in downtown Philipsburg into affordable housing and commercial space.
“The funding will build on $800,000 we helped secure earlier this year and will support the thid phase of work to create additional housing units,” Conklin said. “When it’s finished, the building will offer 14 affordable housing units plus ground-level commercial space. It’s an exciting project that’s going to help eliminate blight and bring new life to the downtown area.”
Conklin also helped to secure $350,000 to support construction of a new community building for the Hillcrest Commons Apartments.
“The new building will include a community room with computers, printers, a library, a kitchenette and an ADA-accessible bathroom and will also house an onsite afterschool program,” Conklin said. “The space will provide a safe, engaging environment for youth, peace of mind for their working parents and a place for residents to come together for programs and activities.”
In addition to the construction funding, Conklin said an additional $135,000 will go to the following county programs to fight homelessness and provide housing counseling and assistance:
- $70,000 to Centre County PHARE Rental Assistance Program, which provides rental assistance to residents and families who are homeless or facing the risk of homelessness.
- $30,000 to the HOME Foundation, which provides housing counseling and education services to help low-income renters build savings and financial skills on the path to home ownership.
- $20,000 to Out of the Cold Centre County, which provides life skills programming to help residents gain the skills they need for independence and self-sufficiency.
- $15,000 to Centre County for the Housing Navigator Program, which provides landlord education and outreach, tenant education and advocacy, landlord/tenant mitigation and caseworker support.
Funding for the projects comes from the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund, which is supported by Marcellus Shale impact fees, the Realty Transfer Tax and the National Housing Trust Fund.
More about PHARE is available here: https://www.phfa.org/legislation/act105.aspx.
A list of projects funded statewide is available here:
https://www.phfa.org/forms/phare_program_phare_fund/funding_announcements/2025_reservation_of_funds_final.pdf.