First Fully Accessible Housing Development Provides Independence for People with Disabilities

Unique collaboration announces opening of Baldwin Village

(Swatara Township, Pa.)- Today, the co-sponsors, Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania (CILCP), Mohn Street Accessible Housing, Inc., and Tri-County Housing Development Corporation celebrated with key organizations in the opening of the first fully accessible housing development in Central Pennsylvania – Baldwin Village. Located in Swatara Township, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to welcome the 12 residents with disabilities to their new fully accessible homes.

Charles Gassert, Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the County of Dauphin and President of Mohn Street Accessible Housing, Inc.; Lynn Stewart, Director of Housing at CILCP; George Hartwick, Dauphin County Commissioner; and, Encarnacion Loukatos, Director of Multi-Family Hub of the Philadelphia State Office for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development spoke about the accomplishments and need for this development. Following the ribbon cutting, tours were offered to see first-hand the unique features that make these homes accessible to people with mobility, visual or hearing impairments. 

Baldwin Village is the first of its kind in Central PA. The 12 unit fully accessible, low-income housing development is located at 400 Mohn St. in Swatara Township. It offers features such as lower counter tops and light switches, wider doorways, front loading laundry machines, large bathrooms with roll in showers and a five-foot turnaround radius, strobes for the hearing impaired, and a fire safety system for blind individuals.

Chuck Gassert stated, “This project was built with accessibility in mind from the ground up. Often buildings are modified after-the-fact to accommodate people with disabilities; but, this project was different. From the initial design to the final installment of appliances, we ensured it would be fully accessible.”

According to the U.S. Census, approximately 1 of 7 people in Dauphin County has a disability. Demand for accessible housing has far surpassed supply in the area.

Lynn Stewart, Director of Housing for CILCP was very much involved in the project, providing insight and direction on behalf of people with disabilities. “As an organization that serves people with any type of disability, we received 156 calls regarding housing and home modifications last year. In this area, housing units that are fully accessible are not common because it’s perceived that building accessible apartments equals high costs, and that is another reason why Baldwin Village is a wonderful gift to people with disabilities. It’s affordable.” In two weeks, 70 applications were received to live in Baldwin Village.

A variety of sources funded the project including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, Pa. Department of Community and Economic Development, Dauphin County HOME Grants, Center for Independent Living of Central PA (CILCP), Redevelopment Authority of Dauphin County, and the Housing Authority of the County of Dauphin.

In addition, residents of Baldwin Village will have access to a specialist from the Living Well With A Disability program, which is provided through the CILCP. The program assists in meeting individuals’ needs which may include attendant care services, budgeting services, independent living skills training and transportation assistance.

About Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania
The Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania (CILCP) is a consumer controlled, cross disability organization dedicated to assisting people with disabilities to achieve and maintain independent life styles. Through the Living Well With A Disability program, the organization assists individuals with any type of disability to find resources available to meet their needs, wishes and aspirations. The organization serves Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry, Mifflin, and Juniata counties. To learn more about the Living Well With A Disability program, visit www.livingwellwithadisability.org.

About Mohn Street Accessible Housing, Inc.
Incorporated in February 2006, Mohn Street Accessible Housing, Inc. (MSAH) is a single-purpose 501 c (3) non-profit corporation, developed to fulfill a requirement for the HUD Section 811 program and to develop, own, manage and maintain Baldwin Village.

About Tri-County Housing Development Corporation
Tri-County Housing Development Corporation (Tri-County HDC) is a not-for-profit organization that provides the community a full spectrum of housing and redevelopment products. Tri-County HDC offers its funding partners highly leveraged tools designed to improve neighborhoods and positively impact the tax base. Through the completion of fiscally viable projects, Tri-County HDC, will increase its capacity and stabilize the communities that it serves.

For more information regarding this press release, please contact Megan Kurtz at 717-432-2468 or via email at Megan@TheSuasionWay.com. 

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