Transitional housing project gets $422K grant

JERRY LYNOTT jlynott@timesleader.com

WILKES-BARRE – A state grant awarded Wednesday moved a $1.5 million downtown transitional housing program closer to full funding.

The Manna House Apartments received $422,000 from the state Department of Economic Development.

The program to provide 18- to 25-year-olds with affordable housing, job training, financial counseling and life skills already has received $960,000 in county and federal funds.

Volunteers of America, the program administrator, also has committed $100,000.

“We still have to raise another $60,000,” said Bill Jones, vice president and chief operating officer of Volunteers of America.

The nonprofit organization expects renovations on the North River Street building it bought for $1.03 million last year to be completed and ready for tenants in early May.

At any one time eight people will reside in the apartment building near the Sterling Hotel. The goal is to help them obtain and maintain permanent housing and become self-sufficient, Jones said.

He stressed that the tenants are not troubled youths and there is “absolutely no criminal element.”

“They have come from the child welfare system and are at a crossroads in their life. They can either go down the road of long-term homelessness or, with the right guidance and support, they can be somebody.”

The tenants will pay rent roughly equal to 30 percent of their income and reside on the second and third floors of the building. The first floor will house the offices of Volunteers of America.

Volunteers of America initially chose a New Grove Street location, but did not receive neighborhood support. The downtown site is close to public transportation, employers and educational and recreational services.

Jones said the tenants can stay for up to 24 months as they go through the transitioning program, but the average stay should be approximately 18 months.

Jerry Lynott, a Times Leader staff writer, can be reached at 829-7237.