Franklin County Commissioners Award Grant To Habitat For Humanity

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – The Franklin County Commissioners allocated $70,000 from the Housing Trust Fund to Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County to assist the nonprofit’s Home Ownership Program. The commissioners approved the allocation at their Sept. 7 public meeting.

With this funding, Habitat for Humanity will build a home in Blue Ridge Summit and will rehabilitate half of a duplex home in Chambersburg Borough. When complete, these projects will provide housing for two families, bringing the total number of families served in Franklin County to date to 68.

Habitat for Humanity enables local, low-income families to become self-reliant through homeownership. The Home Ownership Program allows families to partner with Habitat for Humanity to build safe, affordable houses before the families take over ownership of the home with affordable mortgages. 

To be eligible for homeownership, participants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a resident of or employed in Franklin County for a least one year;
• Reside in living conditions that can be described as sub-standard;
• Possess proof of a reliable income;
• Have a steady annual income within the limits set by HUD for Pennsylvania; and
• Be willing to partner with Habitat for Humanity to provide 450 hours (or 350 hours for a single individual) of “sweat equity” in the construction of the home or other approved activities

“Becoming an invested member of the community instills a stability within individual family units,” said Tom Reardon, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County. “That stability has a positive trickle-down effect on Franklin County communities by reducing impacts on resources like human services and the judicial system.” 

Reardon also noted the financial impact of the Home Ownership Program in Franklin County. In 2020, Habitat for Humanity homeowners paid more than $61,000 in property taxes.

“The demand for affordable housing in Franklin County is very high, so finding a reasonably priced place to call home can be a challenge, especially for a first-time homeowner who could use some assistance leaving a less-than-desirable situation,” said Franklin County Commissioner Chairman Dave Keller. “The Housing Trust Fund allows the county to not only support the creation of affordable homes but also in helping local families become homeowners. Owning a home is a meaningful milestone in one’s life and homeownership strengthens our communities.” 

The county established the Housing Trust Fund in 2002 to support programs and projects that increase the availability of affordable housing to Franklin County residents whose annual income is less than the median income of the county. The fund is generated by fees for filing deeds and mortgages with the Franklin County Recorder of Deeds. Since the Housing Trust Fund’s inception,  Franklin County has allotted more than $2 million to affordable housing projects.

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