Centre County Representative Scott Conklin announced the State College Borough was will receive $827,476 in state funding to back affordable housing efforts.

The borough was granted $418,000 for rental unit construction, $254,000 for homebuyer construction, $82,681 for a Community Housing Development Organization grant, and $72,795 for a Community Housing Development Organization operating grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Engagement (DCED).

“With the COVID-19 pandemic amplifying the housing crisis and half of Americans describing the lack of affordable housing as a major problem, we must work to address this shortage in Pennsylvania,” Conklin said in a release. “The funding from DCED will assist State College Borough residents in need, especially as Centre County works to address a surge in people experiencing homelessness.”

The DCED provides Pennsylvania counties with funds to create affordable housing for low-income state residents and has distributed over $12 million through the Pennsylvania HOME Program.

“Now, more residents will have the opportunity to find their happiness as they make their home here in Happy Valley,” Conklin said.