Construction on the second phase of the Susquehanna Street Homes in
Homewood is underway, with 10 new houses scheduled for completion by
early May.
The project began in 2003 when developer
Building United of Southwestern Pennsylvania teamed up with the
Urban Redevelopment Authority
to demolish 43 nuisance properties along Susquehanna Street, with plans
to build 30 homes in three phases. The first 10 homes were built in
2008 and all were sold by the end of 2009.
"The
houses are detached two-story homes with two-and-a-half-bathrooms,
three-bedrooms, a front and side yard, backyard, and garages," says Rev.
Samuel Ware, executive director of Building United, who is working with
Mistik Construction and local architect Marvin Miller on the project.
Buyers
are currently being sought for the homes, which start at $130,000.
Second deferred mortgages are available through the URA for moderate and
low-income buyers.
"The URA is our development
partner," says Ware. "We've worked with them since the very beginning.
They recommended the architect to us, and they've helped us with funding
and grants for $1.4 million."
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Writer:
John FarleySource: Rev. Samuel Ware, Building United
Gigi Saladna, chief information officer for the URA
Image courtesy of the URA