Chester County pitches in for affordable housing construction
WEST CHESTER >> Chester County pitched in $850,000 toward 51 proposed affordable workforce housing units at the Charles A. Melton Arts and Education Center.
Plans call for the Melton Center to build 51 affordable units along Market Street, Miner and Worthington streets. Ten three- and four-bedroom townhouses along Miner Street, with garages, and many of 41 fourstory, one- and two-bedroom apartments, along Market Street, will be handicapped accessible.
Church Housing of Phoenixville and NRP LLC are also involved in part four story high construction expected to cost $14 million.
Lisa Dorsey, president of the Melton board of directors, said dirt might be turned at the 2.5-acre site to the east of the current building during the Spring of 2020 with a completion date set for the Spring of 2021.
The Melton Center would receive 49 percent of any income generated and Church Housing would receive 51 percent from rental income. Funding is coming from various sources such as PHFA funding, County funding, as well an investors. Church Housing Corp will manage the tax credit property and Melton Center will provide the key community support for the residents
“The Melton Center is very excited to be able to bring workforce housing to the West Chester community in partnership with Church Housing Corp and NRP,” Dorsey said. “This housing grant along with the $200K workforce development grant allows the Melton Center to continue its 100-plus year legacy of providing opportunities for the underserved and overall campus development. “It will allow generations to continue to live, work and contribute to this community.”
Kathryn Evans, executive director of Church Housing Group, helped accept the ceremonial check.
“The future Melton Center Apartments will be a great addition to the community as well as the Melton Center,” Evans said. “Affordable workforce housing is so important and the town of West Chester has been a great supporter to this endeavor.
“With all the great programming offered at the Melton Center along with the Church Housing Corp expertise, it is truly a great step forward in meeting the needs of the community.”
All three county commissioners attended the ceremony.
Chester County Commissioners’ Chair Michelle Kichline visited the Melton Center.
“The Melton Center Apartments project is such an exciting one because it ‘checks all the boxes’ that contribute to our affordable home needs, and does it in such a perfect location,” she said. “These apartments and townhouses are situated in a walkable area of West Chester, but with door-step access to public transportation, and right beside to a thriving community center.
“They will be homes that will add to the successful fabric of West Chester, and will certainly strengthen the urban offering in the Borough.”
Chester County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone: “We cannot stress enough the importance of affordable homes in places like West Chester and are pleased to be able to make a significant contribution to ensuring projects like the Melton Center Apartments happen - both financially and through many other County resources.
“It is also great to partner with organizations like property developers Church Housing Corp., the NRP Group, the staff and board of the Melton Center and the Chester County Housing Authority on these homes.”
Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell: “As county commissioners, we have a responsibility to every one of our citizens to keep them safe and healthy, to support growth and development of a strong and vibrant economy for them, and to manage growth and land use, keeping green spaces green and developing the brown spaces — our urban centers.
“All of these responsibilities will be met with the development of the Melton Center Apartments. Having a home keeps you safe and secure; living at a location where you can walk to so many places keeps you healthy; having the stability of affordably-priced homes creates diverse, wellrounded communities, and having a home so close to the center of West Chester strengthens the urban center offering.”