Excerpt: The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) and its development arm, Allies & Ross Management and Development Corp. (ARMDC), have invested $3,050,000 in Gap-Financing and 49 Project-Based Vouchers for a Downtown adaptive reuse development aimed at assisting single parents pursuing higher education.
Beacon Communities is converting an existing office building and decommissioned steam plant at 120 Cecil Place into 97 affordable housing units, owned by BC Cecil LLC.
The 49 Project-Based Vouchers provided by the HACP will be used by Pittsburgh Scholar House’s Wayfinders program participants to provide single parents with housing while they pursue their 2-or 4-year degrees. Vouchers are reserved for single parents (with one child under age 18) who meet the Housing Choice Voucher income eligibility and maintain at least a 2.0 grade-point average.
Wayfinders participants who reside at 120 Cecil Place will also receive extensive wraparound services provided by Pittsburgh Scholar House, including childcare, counseling, career readiness, and transportation assistance, housed within the development.
“We are excited that HACP’s investment in Project-Based Vouchers will create stable homes for 49 of our Scholars and their families, helping them plant roots and flourish while contributing to Downtown’s renewal,” said Dr. Daren Ellerbee, CEO of Pittsburgh Scholar House. “At PSH, we believe housing is more than shelter; it is the launchpad for single-parent Scholars to pursue their education, nurture their children’s growth, and strengthen our community.”