Category: News || By

(Editor's Note: The author of this story has a conflict of interest. See disclaimer.)

The name can be a nuisance, admits Jim Haughey, new executive director of the McKeesport Housing Corp.

At least "once a day," someone calls to ask about public housing or Section 8 rent assistance, and Haughey or one of three other employees has to explain the difference between McKeesport Housing Corp. and the similarly named McKeesport Housing Authority.

"Believe me, I know the MHA's phone number off by heart," Haughey says. (It's 673-6942.)

. . .

But the housing corporation, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, isn't in the public housing business. Instead, it's trying to keep working families out of public housing and instead keep them in their own homes. It can also put first-time buyers into new houses.

For a quarter-century, McKeesport Housing Corp. (it's at 664-7003) has provided rehabilitation for older homes, low-interest loans for renovations, lead-paint and asbestos safety training, assistance for first-time homebuyers, homeless prevention programs and a raft of other services. (There's no website yet, though Haughey says MHC is working on one.)

The corporation is an independent, non-profit, tax-deductible agency that manages the city's housing-related programs, says Haughey, who joined MHC in May 2005.

. . .

MHC is one of four federally recognized Community Housing Development Organizations in Allegheny County. CHDOs are eligible to receive assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and can act as owners, developers or contractors on home construction and rehabilitation projects in low- to moderate-income communities.

MHC has worked on multi-unit structures --- including the Grandview Apartments in that city neighborhood --- but most of its projects involve single-family homes.

"We've done many homes that we've rehabbed or acquired, fixed up and sold," Haughey says. "We've also done new home construction." Riverview Estates on the former Menzie Dairy property was an MHC-run project, and the corporation also was a partner in construction of seven houses on the former site of Union Avenue reservoir.

. . .

When MHC was created in 1985, the city was reeling from the ongoing closure of U.S. Steel's National Tube plant, which eventually eliminated 7,000 good-paying jobs. More than 1,000 jobs at the G.C. Murphy Co.'s home office and warehouse also were in the process of disappearing. The layoffs caused a massive population drain and many houses were outright abandoned.

Many city neighborhoods still show the scars of that outward migration, which has seen McKeesport's population drop by 40 percent since 1980. Entire blocks of homes along Jenny Lind Street, for instance, have stood vacant until being torn down at the city's expense.

But Haughey speculates that without MHC's help, the damage to McKeesport's residential areas "would be much more widespread." The corporation estimates that it's been directly responsible for $12 million in public and private investment into homes in the city.

. . .

Some of MHC's programs stretch outside of McKeesport's borders. Over the past two years, for example, MHC has sponsored training for 145 contractors and landlords who have learned how to assess and prevent health hazards that can result from lead paint and plumbing.

And with a grant from the federal Lead Elimination Action Program, or LEAP, MHC is testing homes in McKeesport, Clairton and Duquesne for lead hazards. If hazardous conditions are found, grant money can pay for up to 50 percent of any work needed, up to $6,000. (Some restrictions apply, Haughey says. For instance, to qualify, the home must be occupied by children under age 6.)

Haughey, who was named director by the MHC board at its Oct. 13 meeting, takes over for Les Petras, who has retired from a day-to-day leadership role but remains a part-time employee. Petras, a former vice president at Equibank and Irwin Bank, has been with MHC since its creation, serving first as a board member for 19 years, and then as executive director for six years.

"His experience is an invaluable asset to our organization," Haughey says.

. . .

MHC's only other full-time staff member, Angelia Christina of Clairton, has been a professional lead risk assessor, inspector and supervisor for seven years. With the recent management transition, Christina has been elevated to program coordinator and taken on additional responsibilities, Haughey says.

A new part-time employee, Erin Lawrence, serves as receptionist.

In 2011, MHC will continue running its rehabilitation and remodeling program for owner-occupied homes in the city. It's also administering a $501,000 federal stimulus grant designed to prevent homelessness, and Haughey says the agency is eying at least one high-profile project that it's not yet ready to announce.

That's good news for homeowners who live within the city and want help repairing a faulty roof or leaky windows, or correcting a lead or asbestos problem. As long as they call the right number.

(Psst. That number is 664-7003. Ask for Jim or Angelia.)

Disclaimer: The author of this story is involved in planning a project with McKeesport Housing Corp. employees. In addition, MHC has run ads on Tube City Almanac in the past. However, no remuneration was received from MHC for this story, and MHC did not have editorial approval over its content. (Return to top.)

You should type something in the 'comment'-field. Be sure to click on 'Post Comment' to store it permanently.