Lancaster, PA – December is almost over and something is blooming at 601 East Market Street in Marietta. The long-awaited Marietta Senior Apartments are finally under construction. The blighted buildings on the former foundry site have been demolished, making way for an attractive, three-story, 56-unit community designed to blend in with the borough’s historic fabric.

The apartments will provide much-needed housing for tenants 62 years of age and older with low to moderate incomes. According to the nonprofit housing developer Community Basics Inc., 10 of the units will be set aside for those who are experiencing homelessness.

Situated on a 1.4 acre parcel in the center of town, the community will feature 42 one-bedroom and 14 two-bedroom apartments. To qualify, residents must earn no more than 60% of median income – about $30,000 for one person and $39,000 for a couple. Tabor Community Services will work with the residents on site.

The apartments are visitable (accessisble by wheelchair) and are conveniently located near a bus stop, parks, a medical facility, churches and restaurants. Additional ammenities include on-site parking, a community room, and an on-site laundry. Special transportation services will be provided to a local senior center.

The Energy Star Commissioned building will feature a high efficiency heating and cooling system, a brick façade to match surrounding historic structures, and a large front porch.

The Marietta Senior Apartments project is estimated to cost $11,172,667. Funders include the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, Lancaster County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities and Fulton Bank.

Community Basics executive director Ken Smith said they hope to complete the community by late 2012. Marietta Senior Apartments is Community Basics’ 11th project.

Lancasteronline.com

BY ENELLY BETANCOURT

Staff Writer

Nonprofit housing developer Community Basics Inc. announced Monday the opening of its newest housing community, Cloister Heights in Ephrata.

The former site of the decaying, vacant Cloister Motor Court Motel was extensively renovated and converted into a two-story dwelling for people experiencing homelessness.

At a total cost of $2.1 million, the new building at 830 W. Main St. features 12 one-bedroom apartments in the main building and three two-bedroom apartments in an adjacent 1948-era house that once served as a hotel office.

Ken Smith, executive director of Community Basics, said the apartments will not be for transient use.

“They may be permanent homes for people who are experiencing homelessness,” Smith said.

The hotel, he said, had been vacant for about five years.

There already is a waiting list for the two-bedroom apartments, but two of the one-bedroom units are still available.

The one-bedroom units rent for $600 a month, while $700 gets a tenant into a two-bedroom apartment. However, Smith said, the rent will be 30 percent of the residents’ income, and utilities are included in the rental fees.

All the apartments include a living room, bedroom and bathroom.

Several groups provided the necessary funds for the conversion of the former motel. The project was funded by the state Department of Community Affairs, Urban Enhancement Redevelopment Fund, the Lancaster County Housing and Redevelopment Authority and the United Way of Lancaster County.

“There was also money available from the Environmental Protection Agency that was used separately for cleanup efforts,” Smith said.

Cloister Heights represents 10 percent of the 150 units that the Lancaster County Coalition to End Homelessness called for in 2008 when it announced a 10-year plan to end homelessness in the county.

The coalition is a network of private organizations, government agencies, businesses and elected officials working to eradicate homelessness in Lancaster.

ebetancourt@lnpnews.com

Lancaster, PA – A vacant eyesore began its transformation into permanent housing for persons experiencing homelessness on Thursday, April 14 when nonprofit housing developer Community Basics, Inc. gathered with the Lancaster County Coalition to End Homelessness (LCCEH) to break ground for the long-awaited Cloister Heights project in Ephrata.

Prior to the groundbreaking ceremony, the Coalition and Lancaster County Commissioners announced the results of the latest Point in Time Count which reflects the number of persons experiencing homelessness in the county who were living in a shelter or without shelter one night this past January.

“So many groups are working together to make this vital project happen – the State, the County, the Coalition and United Way, the Borough and school district, the Ephrata Ministerium – because it addresses a very real need,” said Ken Smith, Community Basics Executive Director.

That “real need” was delineated by Phil Wenger, Co-chair of LCCEH Leadership Council and Lancaster County Commissioners Scott Martin, Dennis Stuckey and Craig Lehman who announced and explained the Point in Time Count. The count was conducted the night of January 26th, 2011 to provide information on the number of individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness in Lancaster County.

Key findings include:
- For the second year in a row, the results showed a decrease in the number of persons who were living in a shelter or without shelter in Lancaster County.

- 17% decrease in single adults

- 23% decrease in the total number of adults and children

- 19% decrease in the number of families

- The Point in Time count showed that on the night of January 26, 2011, there were still 481 persons experiencing homelessness in Lancaster County.

Wenger added, “This project shows how important Housing First is in the Coalitions’ efforts to prevent and end homelessness.” The Housing First approach recognizes that the immediate & primary focus is on providing housing as quickly as possible and then providing the support services as needed to keep the individuals in their home.
The $2 million project will transform the former Cloister Motor Court Motel into 12 one-bedroom apartments and a house on the property will be converted into three two-bedroom apartments.

Project funding is being provided by the Commonwealth of PA Department of Community Affairs, the County of Lancaster Urban Enhancement Grant Fund, the Lancaster County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities’ HOME funds and the United Way of Lancaster County.

Media coverage:
Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era front page lead story: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/375937
Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VdYqp4dAx4
Channel 11: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqJgO5eqC9M&feature=channel_video_title