City Council Okays CDBG Funds for “Returning Citizens Program” Home

LOCK HAVEN – City Council, at a virtual meeting Monday night, selected a Clinton County Housing Coalition project as the recipient for $37,648 in Community Development Block Grant Funds.

The funding will go towards the Coalition’s Returning Citizens Program which allows inmates at the Clinton County Correctional Facility, those permitted to be released but without a home, to live in temporary quarters until they can find more permanent quaarters. The Coalition had a currently vacant brick structure at 14-16 Commerce Street in Lock Haven donated for that purpose. The housing group was seeking $41,250 towards the overall project costs.

The Commerce Street structure could house up to six individuals. Presently, coalition president Jeff Rich explained, the Returning Citizens Program houses three people, two at a home on Grove Street and one at a residence on W. Main Street. Rich said the program has had some 35 success stories since it has been in operation in recent years.

Council’s vote to approve was 4-2, council member Richard Morris abstaining as he is a member of the coalition’s board. Other requests had come from the Clinton Little League and the Clinton County Women’s Center.

Council elected to take no action Monday night on a request from state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R-Clinton/Centre), seeking permission to hold a “Freedom-Fest” in conjunction with the Trump for President campaign at the Corman Amphitheater on Saturday, Sept. 19.

City manager Greg Wilson said the request had just been submitted and did not contain the required COVID-19 safety plan and no insurance coverage information. Because of the missing information, council decided to delay a vote until its next meeting, Monday, Sept. 14, five days before the proposed event. There was no indication from council that the request would not be approved.