FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                          Contact: Gretchen M. Wintermantel
Oct. 13, 2005                                               202.225.6511

Kanjorski Announces $169,196 in Affordable Housing Program Funding for New Housing Complex

Scott Township, Pa. - Congressman Paul E Kanjorski (PA-11) today joined Bill Batz and Bill Miller of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh and Paul Reichart of Columbia County Farmers' National Bank to present a $169,196 Affordable Housing Program check to the Columbia County Housing Corporation for a new housing project in Scott Township.

The grant will be used toward a $1.68 million housing project under the direction of Columbia County Housing Corporation and Mullin and Lonergan Associates. Central Court Apartments will be an eight-unit apartment complex for families of domestic abuse victims and first-time, at-risk mothers. The complex will replace the blighted property on Central Road in Scott Township.

"I am pleased that Columbia County Farmers National Bank applied for this grant, which involves a highly competitive application process. We are fortunate to have leaders in our local business community like Paul Reichart who are willing to reach out and take an active role in helping those members of our society who are less fortunate. I applaud the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh for the important work it does in the housing community and I would like to recognize the Columbia County Housing Corporation for overseeing this worthwhile project," Congressman Kanjorski said.

Mr. Batz of FHLBank thanked Congressman Kanjorski for his part in the project.

"Thanks to Congressman Kanjorski and others who create a legislative environment in which we can do the most good, our Bank continues to work with partners across Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia on behalf of homeless individuals, the elderly, handicapped, victims of domestic abuse and others of modest means," Mr. Batz said.

"It takes strong leaders, both public and private, to create sustainable initiatives that change people's lives. When community leaders work together, there is almost nothing they cannot accomplish."

Central Court Apartments will include one one-bedroom, five two-bedrooms and two three-bedroom units for low-income families. Each unit will have air-conditioning, Energy Star appliances, and a geothermal heating and cooling system. The complex will also have a community room, a fenced-in playground and ample parking for visitors and tenants. Residents will be required to sign one-year leases.

The Affordable Housing Program subsidizes the cost of housing for low- or moderate-income owner-occupied and rental housing. This year, the FHLBank of Pittsburgh had $9 million available in funding for AHP. The 36 projects chosen involve the rehabilitation or construction for 1,176 affordable housing units.  Since the inception of AHP in 1990, FHLBank of Pittsburgh has awarded grants for approximately 20,000 units of affordable housing totaling more than $130 million.

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