FARRELL, PA. Apartment complex opens for the mentally ill

Among 12 others waiting to move in is one who has been living in her car.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
FARRELL, Pa. -- Independence Park, a 10-unit apartment complex on Spearman Avenue for chronically mentally ill tenants, has opened.
Community Action Partnership of Mercer County, a partnership between Mercer County Community Action Agency and Community Counseling Center Inc., held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the $750,000 project in the 600 block of Spearman Avenue.
Three tenants have already moved into the complex and there is a waiting list of 12 others, said Joyce Blanke, vice president of operations for Community Counseling.
One prospective tenant has been living in her car. Others are coming from group homes or temporary living arrangements with family members, she said.
The project received a $714,700 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to build two two-bedroom and eight one-bedroom units.
The Federal Home Loan Bank put up $45,300 to help with construction costs.
HUD kicked in an additional $142,500 to provide rental subsidies for five years.
Requirements
Blanke said tenants must have an income lower than $16,700, have a chronic mental illness and be a Community Counseling client.
This is housing for people who can live independently, hold down a job and contribute to the community, said Angelo Stamoolis, Community Counseling executive director.
Ron Errett, chief executive officer of Mercer County Community Action Agency, said his agency got involved in building housing for people with special needs about 12 years ago.
This particular project took a couple of years from planning to completion, he said.
"It's a tremendous project," said Eric Dickerson, vice president and deputy director of community investment for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh.
"It's important for us to be in the community" he said, explaining that his agency wants to help provide affordable, safe and clean housing for people in need.