Safe Harbour broke ground on July 12 to begin construction of 40 new units of affordable housing for families and individuals in Cumberland County.
The $18.15 million Harbour Village affordable housing project was initially approved to receive Low Income Housing Tax Credit funding from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) in October 2021. Orrstown Bank is the project’s equity investor, agreeing to invest $11.25 million of low-income housing tax credits to fund the project.
Located on five acres of vacant land in the Smith Farm development of South Middleton Township, Harbour Village will consist of three different building types, arranged in six residential buildings with a separate community building.
Overall, 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 the hearing and visually impaired. Two units will have rents affordable to households earning 20% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI), five units are targeted for at-or-below 30% AMI, 14 units are targeted for at-or-below 50% AMI, and the remaining 19 units will be targeted for households at-or-below 60% AMI. Additionally, two units will support individuals with mental health issues, intellectual or developmental challenges.
Each home in Harbour Village will be one or two stories with a front porch and a private patio or balcony. The centrally placed community building with a full kitchen is designed as a gathering space for residents and includes the management and supportive services offices. The site plan provides pedestrian walkways, connections to neighboring services, a pavilion, and a playground with sidewalks and walking trails.
“Safe Harbour is excited to bring this critically needed affordable housing project to fruition,” said Paulo Oliveira, chair of Safe Harbour’s Board of Directors. “There are many families and individuals in Cumberland County who need clean, safe, and affordable housing. This project is a great beginning to Safe Harbour’s efforts to provide for the needs of our communities.
“Harbour Village is an ambitious endeavor for Safe Harbour, and we are prepared for this effort,” Oliveira said. “This is our first housing project of this magnitude; however, it will not be our last.”
“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.”
“We appreciate the community support Safe Harbour has received for this endeavor to add housing to our community,” Shewell added. “Many agencies and organizations, elected officials, community leaders, and housing advocates have provided vital assistance to this project.
“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.”
The Harbour Village project received meaningful advocacy from state Sen. Mike Regan, state Sen. Greg Rothman, state Rep. Torren Ecker, state Rep. Barbara Gleim, the Cumberland County Commissioners, the South Middleton Township Board of Supervisors, and the Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities. There also has been strong community collaboration and encouragement from the Partnership for Better Health, the Carlisle and West Shore Chambers of Commerce, and the United Way of Carlisle and Cumberland County.
In addition to the private equity received from Orrstown Bank, Harbour Village will be funded by Cumberland County HOME funds, Federal Housing Trust Fund support, and a first mortgage.
The residences at Harbour Village are anticipated to be completed in phases beginning in September 2024 and finishing in November 2024.
