ALLENTOWN – A representative of PennReach Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to the social mission of affordable housing, has proposed rehabilitating a vacant residence in Allentown and turning it into a group home for individuals who have special needs.
In recent months, borough officials have focused attention on vacant and abandoned homes in Allentown – there are about a dozen – and expressed a desire to see those homes rehabilitated and reused by new owners.
Krystal Odell, the chief executive officer of PennReach, presented the organization’s proposal during the Oct. 10 meeting of the Borough Council.
Odell asked the council to pass a resolution stating its support for the group home project, but the governing body did not pass such a resolution that evening. The next council meeting is scheduled for Oct. 24.
One council member and one resident expressed concern about the plan Odell put forth to take one of Allentown’s abandoned homes and convert it into a residence for individuals who have special needs and who would share support services.
Odell mentioned a vacant home at 25 Hamilton St. as the residence PennReach is considering for rehabilitation. Although the organization is tax exempt, she said PennReach would negotiate a payment to the borough.
“We are looking for community support,” Odell said, but she did not find it in the municipal meeting room.
Speaking about unrelated individuals who would live in the home, Michele Bush, of Hamilton Street, said, “Nobody wants to hurt people, (but) we have to protect ourselves. … We don’t know these special needs. How special are they? Are we talking about pedophile special needs?”
Councilwoman Angela Anthony, who is a real estate professional, said, “I am trying to find a positive” in Odell’s presentation. “I am looking to find why I would want to put this in a neighborhood. I sold a house in another town for this (type of use). I regret it. I have experienced a negative with it. It has been havoc for the neighborhood.”
Odell said the residence PennReach wants to create would help Allentown meet its state-mandated obligation to provide opportunities for the development of affordable housing.
Odell said PennReach plans to seek a grant in order to advance the project. She said the organization will not be able to proceed if funds are not available.
According to its website, PennReach Inc., which is based in Allentown, is a nonprofit organization founded in December 2011 by housing industry leaders dedicated to the social mission of affordable housing.
PennReach says it will “help build neighborhoods by addressing the holistic needs of the individual by providing good quality affordable housing, employment opportunities, education, health services and training for all people in need – whether seniors, families facing challenges of low income and related problems, or people with special needs.”
One of the organization’s goals is “to empower all people in need,” including people who have special needs, “to have meaningful lives.”