A ribbon cutting ceremony took place at the new Dupont Housing for the Elderly, a three-story, 36-unit residential complex at the site of the former Ben Franklin Elem. School, Dupont. Left to right: Mike Molitoris, Luzerne County Housing Authority (LCHA) deputy director, state Rep. Michael Carroll; Barry Yohey, LCHA Executive Director; Melissa Grover Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, Stan Knick, Dupont Council President, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright; Joey Jones, Dupont Council; Joe Karkute, Dupont Council; Bob Price, Dupont Council; Rose Yarmel, LCHA chairperson.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
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The new Dupont Housing for the Elderly is a three-story, 36-unit complex at the site where the former Ben Franklin Elementary School once stood. It has opened to full capacity.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
Barry Yohey, Luzerne County Housing Authority Executive Director, served as master of ceremonies at Thursday’s event.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
Melissa Grover, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, thanked all parties responsible for helping get the Dupont Housing for the Elderly project completed.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Moosic, took part in Thursday’s ribbon cutting ceremony at Dupont Housing for the Elderly.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
DUPONT — A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday at the new Dupont Housing for the Elderly, a three-story, 36-unit complex at the site where the former Ben Franklin Elementary School once stood in the borough.
It opened to full capacity.
Dupont Borough council representatives along with officials from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), Luzerne County Housing Authority (LCHA), U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Moosic, state Rep. Michael Carroll, D-Avoca, and former state Sen. John Blake were present for the ceremony.
“This project began years ago when Mayor Dan Lello, President of Dupont Council Stan Knick, State Rep. Michael Carroll and then state Sen. John Blake approached the housing authority, Dave Fagula was the director then, and wanted to look into rehabbing an old school, Ben Franklin School, into affordable housing for senior citizens,” Rose Yarmel, LCHA chairperson said. “When Mr. Fagula looked at the building he suggested building a brand new building than a rehab job.”
Yarmel said Carroll and state Sen. Marty Flynn, D-Scranton, were instrumental in helping secure financing such a large project through Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA).
Barry Yokey, LCHA executive director, said the efforts of PHFA Low-Income Tax Credit, the PHFA Housing Trust Fund, the Luzerne County HOME program, the Luzerne Co. Housing Trust Fund and the equity by the Enterprise Community Housing Investments, teamed together to make the project a reality.
Dupont Housing for the Elderly is a service enhanced community providing affordable housing for seniors 62 and older. It is designed to serve seniors, who can live independently and meet the guidelines put forth by PHFA, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Enterprise Green Communities Criteria.
“I’m happy to see Federal Tax Credits put to good use to benefit low income housing in Northeast Pennsylvania,” Cartwright said. “Thank you all for seeing the value in making such a critical investment in highly quality affordable housing for seniors. It’s really an example of how public private partnerships could work and make wonderful projects like this a reality. It’s a proud day for Dupont.”
Carroll acknowledged the leadership of the Borough of Dupont and the Pittston Area School District, who made the property available to the Borough of Dupont.
“Dupont Borough, with the expectation that Sen. Blake and I would come through with the steps necessary to make this happen, took a leap of faith,” Carroll said. “That leap of faith by Dupont Council and the Mayor resulted in the success we have today. This (complex) is really another gem for Greater Pittston. When people do their jobs well and people govern well, you have successes like we have here today.”
The Dupont Housing for the Elderly consists of 36 residential units in three stories, including an elevator with a grade level entrance on the first floor for seniors 62 years of age and older.
It is designed to serve seniors, who can live independently and meet the guidelines put forth by PHFA, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Enterprise Green Communities Criteria.
The facility offers an area on the first floor as community space for social gatherings, dining, and parties.
All 36 units are comprised of one-bedroom, kitchen, bath, and living room with storage areas.
There are four one-bedroom apartments, which are considered accessible units and will be occupied by a mobility-impaired person requiring the special design features of these units, age 62 or older.
The site surrounding the facility is designed to encourage full outdoor utilization of the patio and walkways that meet ADA standards.
“This project was a long time coming and it’s a great asset to Dupont,” Stan Knick, Dupont Council president, concluded.