$13M housing project aimed at addressing jump in retiree population in Westmoreland

A $13 million, 50-unit senior housing complex is planned in Rostraver.

It will be the fourth project by the Westmoreland County Housing Authority in the past decade and is part of an effort to provide more senior housing for low-income residents.

The authority on Tuesday approved the purchase of a 7-acre parcel in Rostraver near Route 51.

“The demographics of the county (are) changing, and there are development options out there,” said Westmoreland County Housing Authority Executive Director Michael Washowich.

With continuing efforts to entice younger residents to remain in the county or lure new residents through economic development and education enhancements, officials said there also is a need to provide affordable housing for an aging population.

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 24% of Westmore­land County residents were 65 or older in 2021. A decade earlier, the percentage of seniors living in the county was less than 19%. Of those older county residents, about 9% live in poverty, according to census estimates.

“Senior housing is certainly important from two different perspectives: a need to create affordable housing options for all our residents and because of our aging population,” said Jason Rigone, Westmoreland County’s planning director. “It is important we ensure quality and quantity of housing for our senior residents.”

The housing authority operates 1,600 public housing units and another 900 subsidized residences on more than 30 properties throughout Westmoreland County.

The authority completed its first new construction project in 2013 with the opening of South Greengate Commons, a 45-unit complex erected on the site of the agency’s former headquarters in Hempfield.

In 2020, the authority opened Odin View Apartments, a newly built three-story, 47-unit building for low-income seniors, next to South Greengate Commons.

Construction has started on Grand View Senior Residences, which is expected to be a $14 million, 50-unit complex in North Huntingdon and Irwin. Washowich said the authority received 130 applications from prospective tenants for the apartments that could be move-in ready by next May.

The project initially was opposed by local residents and township and borough officials.

“This has been a large, hard fight,” authority Chairman Dan Wukich said.

Officials said the proposed Rostraver project is in the early stages of development.

Authority board members approved a $500,000 purchase of the property on Trebella Circle. Officials continue to hammer out the details of the deal with township leaders and the seller, Washowich said.

“If it doesn’t get resolved, we’ll switch gears and look for another site,” Washowich told board members Tuesday.

The authority is expected to finance the Rostraver project through grants, loans and the sale of federal tax credits, a formula used to pay for construction of the three previous construction projects undertaken since 2013.

Washowich said the authority is expected to apply for funding for the Rostraver project by the end of this year, and construction could begin in 2024.