Dauphin County Commissioners approve $50,000 loan to help construct affordable senior housing apartment complex in Harrisburg

HARRISBURG, PA (October 11, 2017) – To meet the affordable housing needs of the growing number of senior citizens, the Dauphin County Commissioners today approved a $50,000 loan to help construct the planned 37-apartment Paxton Place complex in Harrisburg.

The complex, being built on a vacant field at 1100 South 20th St., is a joint effort between Paxton Ministries and Camp Hill-based Monarch Development Group LLC, which has been involved in various affordable housing projects in the region. The no-interest loan through the Dauphin County Affordable Housing Trust Fund will be used to leverage additional funding for the $8 million project.

“With our senior population projected to increase over the years, there is a clear need for this kind of quality, affordable housing,’’ said board Chairman Jeff Haste. “Growing older can present a host of challenges – having a home shouldn’t be one of them.’’

Paxton Place will feature 35, one-bedroom and two, two-bedroom apartments for those 62 and older and will have an on-site property manager. Construction is expected to begin by next summer on the complex.

“Paxton Place is a great example of the kind of project that benefits those who will live there as well as the surrounding neighborhood,’’ said Commissioner Mike Pries. “This board supported a similar project, the Union House Apartments, which turned the vacant Lykens Hotel into affordable housing and is spurring further growth in the borough.’’

A market study conducted by Monarch found there are already 2,600 households in the Harrisburg area that are age and income eligible for the apartments that Paxton Place will provide. Over the next five years, the number of those 62 and older is expected to increase by 2.3 percent annually.

“This board of commissioners always looks for ways to increase services and improve our communities without going back to the taxpayers for more money,’’ said Commissioner George P. Hartwick, III. “Paxton Place shows what is possible when we work together for our residents.’’

The developer will receive a $50,000 loan from the Dauphin County Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Money from the trust fund comes from a $15 fee assessed on all deeds and mortgages recorded in the county.

Paxton Place also received $100,000 from IMPACT HARRISBURG, a nonprofit set up with funding from the Harrisburg Strong Plan to award grants for economic development. Additionally, the developers plan to pursue federal affordable housing tax credits through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.