Pocono News Section

Affordable Housing Development Opens

Affordable Housing Development Opens - Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at 04:16AM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Wednesday June 09 2010
SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY - For decades people who have lived in Monroe County couldn't afford to work in the county. Wages are not in sync with the cost of living there.

But now, thanks to a new development, more than forty families will have a chance to live where they work. It's Skyline Heights in Smithfield Township.

For Yolanda Mcpherson her new house is more than just a place to live, it's the promise of a new - better life. She smiled, "I'm very excited and very pleased."

Yolanda and her 16 year old daughter Ashley are some of the first residents in Skyline Heights.

The place is for families with average incomes, around $40,000 to $60,000 a year. Rent ranges from about $600 to $900 a month.

Officials cut the ribbon on the 42 town home complex Wednesday.

For Yolanda it's the end of her long commutes to New York City. She said there's now, "More time with my daughter. More time to get home early enough to cook dinner."

With her new reasonable rentshe can finally afford to work in Monroe County. And Ashley is glad to have her mom back. She said, "I like it a lot. I get to spend more time with her and stuff."

In addition to paying less rent the family is also excited because they expect lower utility bills because all of their appliances are eco friendly. The entire development was built using green building rules.

Monroe County officials have been working on this project since the nineties. Commissioner Suzanne McCool smiled, "I t's like a dream come true."

A dream for families to afford living and working in the same community.

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, Monroe County Housing Authority, County Commissioners and several local banks combined to make the project happen.

They expect the homes to be full by mid summer.

They're already working on a similar development that could be open within a few years.