County commissioners okay seeking state grant towards new disability housing on Bellefonte Avenue in Lock Haven

LOCK HAVEN, PA – The Clinton County Commissioners have agreed to submit a state grant request for $312,300 with a portion towards the costs of converting a former fitness center on Bellefonte Avenue in Lock Haven into the county’s first disability-supported housing.

Board approval came by resolution at the commissioners’ Thursday meeting; it says the county planning department is directed to seek the grant on behalf of the Homeless Prevention and Forensic Housing Project.

Approval came without comment from the three commissioners and followed a lengthy Monday presentation on the need for the housing from Jeff Rich, Clinton County Housing Coalition vice-chairman.

The Housing Coalition is proposing a $1.3 million plan to acquire and convert a former fitness center at 426 Bellefonte Avenue into six one-bedroom units, including five of which would be the county’s first permanent units for tenants with disabilities. Rich had said Monday there are currently between four and eight county residents who would qualify for the units and the supportive services available.

According to Rich, of the new grant money request, $265,000 is for the newly named Hope Mitchell House project. He said project developers will not release bids until they know the outcome of the grant application, probably in March or April 2024. He offered his thanks to the commissioners for their support of the project.

The project has already been approved for a HUD Special Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Rural Housing grant of better than $815,000, with $735,000 towards rehabilitation of the site.

Rich said Monday project developers want to keep the property on the tax rolls. He said in an effort to show good faith and support for the community, the coalition will not request a tax exemption for the property. He said best case scenario the units would be ready for occupancy in January of 2025.