Our second Gettysburg Times article has been published!
Thank you to the Gettysburg Times for working with us to promote awareness about important issues in Adams County.
Please see this month’s article written by @Home in Adams County Coordinator, Caroline Johnson, below!
“Lately, I have been pulling much inspiration from this quote by Margaret J. Wheatly, “there is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.” I want to invite you to consider these words for a moment. What an inspiring prospect it is to imagine the union of passionate community members working toward a common goal with the benefit for all residents at the heart of each effort.
What do you think?
In some ways, it feels like the notion of these words resonate closely with the efforts of @Home in Adams County’s initiative to bring resources to the community. This initiative is nothing without its coalition.
In August, we had our first virtual coalition meeting since the start of COVID19 and about forty members joined us in discussion with the goal of working together to create positive change in the community. I am so encouraged by the work and the engagement demonstrated by these folks. Life has changed drastically since our last coalition meeting in February and to recognize that this group is prioritizing the needs in our community during such a personally challenging time is incredible. There is compassion and strength in working together and this is how we will do it. We will achieve so much more together than we ever could alone.
Currently, a focus on affordable housing options and employment have been at the forefront of many conversations due to COVID19 and its impact on the community. The lack of these options in Adams County is staggering. Now more than ever, it is critical that we advocate for and collaborate to implement solutions that increase accessibility and long-term sustainability for individuals and families to live and work locally.
With that, I am so excited to share with you some updates from our August coalition meeting about housing options in Adams County where we have seen significant progress.
Here are a few projects underway:
In partnership with Adams County Office of Aging, Diana T. Myers and Associates, Inc., and the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, the Elder Cottage Housing Option (EHCO) expansion project has been awarded PHFA grant funds for communities like ours. @Home in Adams County is working with our partners to identify a municipality in Adams County who is interested in hosting an ECHO cottage to participate in creating autonomous and safe housing options for older adults.
Our partners at Luminest Community Development in coordination with PICPI have been awarded funds by PHFA to begin construction on their Ridgeview Townhomes Project. This project will bring thirty-six affordable family housing units to the Gettysburg area. Construction for this project is expected to begin May 2021.
Converge Enterprises, a local developer in the Adams County area, has been approved to begin development on their Biglerville Road Duplex project. The goal of this project is to help bring long term and greater supply of quality, affordable housing options in the area. Construction is projected to begin in 2021.
@Home in Adams County is working closely with our partners at SCCAP and Adams County Office of Aging, to receive updates and provide support for SHARE housing and SCCAP apartments projects whose developments are in process.
We are a coalition of community members who care about resolution, recovery, access to resources, development, and realistic sustainability. There is power in the collective inspiration and drive to achieve change. These positive housing developments are proof that there truly is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.
For more information on @Home in Adams County’s efforts and our partner projects, visit our website at www.homeinadamscounty.org. “