Safe Harbour, Inc.’s mission is not just to create housing for people facing homelessness, but to create a continuum of care that will provide safe and stable housing in under-served rural areas of Pennsylvania. Safe Harbour is a nonprofit that provides social services to struggling individuals in Cumberland County. In more rural parts of Pennsylvania, the housing stock tends to be single-family on larger lots, a style out of reach or difficult to maintain for many.
“Affordable housing is a basic human right,” said Scott K. Shewell, Safe Harbour President and CEO. “In Cumberland County, the lack of housing that is affordable is undeniable. When completed, Harbour Village will add vital housing for our most vulnerable community members.”
This development, to be named Harbour Village, includes plans to build six residential buildings and a separate community building. Safe Harbour will expand the diversity of housing styles, giving the county a rare walkable community, near a grocery store, restaurants, and government offices in downtown Carlisle. RHLS Director of Development Legal Services, Kim Dolan, represented the developer in getting to closing on its financing, including the construction loan, the equity funding from the LIHTC investor, the development funding from PHFA and the County of Cumberland, and in negotiating and finalizing contracts with its architect and general contractor.
Added Scott, “It is important to express our sincere appreciation specifically to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency for granting the Low Income Housing Tax Credit funding to Safe Harbour,” Shewell said. “Without PHFA’s support, this project would not be possible. The agency has entrusted us to serve the community and we will meet their expectation.”
Each home in Harbour Village will include one or two stories with a front porch and a private patio or balcony. There will be four one-bedroom units, 20 two-bedroom units, and 16 three-bedroom units. Four units will be fully accessible and one unit will be designed for hearing and visual needs. The community building will have a full kitchen that will be a gathering space for residents. It will also include the management and supportive services offices. It’s not just housing, the new Harbour Village will also have a pavilion and playground with sidewalks and walking trails.
The new residences will be located in South Middleton Twp bordering Carlisle. Safe Harbour provides a continuum of housing services, from temporary shelter to permanent residence, for those who’ve lost their homes. They provide services such as counselling and life skills classes to their residents, as well as help for those struggling with addiction.
A portion of the legal work provided for Safe Harbour by RHLS was funded through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development. RHLS is grateful to its NAP partner, Pennrose, for the support of this project.