STATE COLLEGE — A partnership between the State College Borough, the State College Community Land Trust, and The HOME Foundation has resulted in two new affordable, energy-efficient rental homes with the completion of the Old Boalsburg Road Flats.
To celebrate the occasion, stakeholders gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house on Dec. 17.
Originally planned as a small single-family home, the project was redesigned after the 2023 State College Borough and Centre County Housing Needs Assessment identified a significant shortage of accessible, one-bedroom rental units. The resulting two-unit building includes one ADA-B accessible first-floor apartment and a second one-bedroom unit above.
The OBR Flats build on partners’ earlier success rehabilitating eight affordable townhomes, which have been fully occupied since 2023. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, half of Pennsylvania renters are cost-burdened, a minimum-wage worker must work 127 hours per week to afford a modest one-bedroom apartment, and the state faces a shortage of roughly 140,000 affordable units for households at 60% AMI or below.
“Centre County Government has had the unique privilege of supporting the construction of the OBR Flats with Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds,” said Faith Ryan, Centre County Director of Adult Services. “These new units add accessible, income-qualified housing in a walkable, vibrant community with access to public transportation, grocery stores, employment, and more.”
The Pennsylvania Comprehensive Housing Study found that the state’s aging population further underscores the need for accessible housing solutions, with more than 17% of residents age 65 or older.
As members of the Energy+ Initiative, SCCLT and THF emphasized high-performance building features. The OBR Flats incorporate advanced insulation, balanced ventilation, efficient appliances, and rooftop solar panels, contributing to near net-zero energy performance. These measures improve indoor air quality, reduce emissions, and keep utility costs low for tenants.
The project was funded through multiple sources, including the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the HUD HOME Program, Emergency Rental Assistance Program II, PHARE RTT, and the State College Borough’s Inclusionary Housing Fund. Weber Murphy Fox, Inc. provided design and project management, Envinity developed energy-efficiency specifications, and WSL Inc. served as general contractor.
The new apartments will be rented by The HOME Foundation to income-qualified households earning at or below 50% of Area Median Income, with occupancy expected in early 2026. Up to two individuals may reside in each unit following income verification. Because the property is held in trust by SCCLT, the homes will remain permanently affordable with long-term stewardship by THF.
