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SHENANGO VALLEY New housing options for elderly, disabled

Thursday, May 9, 2002


Two new housing proposals would provide 29 apartments.
FARRELL, Pa. -- City council has recommended that the Farrell Redevelopment Authority enter into an option agreement that would allow an apartment complex for low-income elderly to be built on about four acres of the former Farrell City Park fronting on Longview Road.
The agreement council recommended would give Alpha Housing and Health Care Inc. of New Castle, which is proposing the 19-unit complex, an option to buy the land at a specific price.
That price would be determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which would fund project construction, said Mayor William Morocco. June 1 is the application deadline for the HUD grant, the mayor said.
Second agreement
Council recommended that the redevelopment authority proceed with an option agreement for sale of nine residential lots near the Spearman Avenue and Roemer Boulevard intersection to the Mercer County Community Action Agency.
The agency proposed 10 apartments for mentally disabled people, which would be in two buildings. The apartments would be built with about $700,000 in HUD money the agency has obtained.
Council also authorized the city administration to commit $20,862 in city money to be spent toward the second year of the Weed and Seed program -- a state-sponsored program of enhanced law enforcement and community activities in a designated area of Sharon and Farrell.
Council approved an agreement between the city and the Mercer County Housing Authority and developer Ralph Falbo of Pittsburgh that council would appoint a member of the Hope VI community and support services board.
Hope VI is the new community that will replace the Steel City Terrace housing project. Ground was broken for the community on Tuesday.