Projects Proposed to Counter Homelessness
There soon may be several new housing options for Harrisburg’s homeless population.
A group of local residents is proposing a tiny home village on six acres along S. Front Street to provide housing for those experiencing homelessness.
Additionally, the city has confirmed that another, separate group has proposed a development for homeless veterans for the same area.
Both of these projects would be located along S. Front Street, near the PennDOT building, and would neighbor Veterans Grove, a tiny home village for homeless veterans under construction.
If approved and built, three housing developments serving the homeless would sit along a short stretch of S. Front Street.
A group of local residents shared that they are purchasing a plot of land just past the PennDOT building. The group has partnered with Missouri-based Eden Village, a nonprofit that has built tiny home communities nationally, for the project.
“What we are excited about is that we are providing what we believe is the ultimate solution, which is permanent housing,” said Jon Bomberger, who is involved with the project.
The village would include 25 to 30 400-square-foot, single occupancy homes and a community center for those experiencing homelessness. Mental health, recovery and other services would be offered on-site.
The group expects to break ground on the $3 to $4 million project in the summer, should it receive the necessary city approvals.
Also proposed for the riverfront, near PennDOT, is a project by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which provides support services to homeless veterans and first responders.
The organization is proposing a 50- to 60-unit apartment complex and support service center, along with 15 to 20 comfort homes, on an 8.5-acre parcel.
Utility Rates Rise
Harrisburg utility customers will see their rates rise in 2024, with the average bill increasing by about 5.2%.
In late November, the board of Capital Region Water (CRW) approved new water, sewer and stormwater rates, effective Jan. 1.
Under the new rate structure, the drinking water charge will increase 3%, from $10.34 to $10.65 per 1,000 gallons consumed.
The wastewater charge will rise 8%, from $9.24 to $9.98 per 1,000 gallons used.
The stormwater fee also will rise, the first increase for most residential customers since the fee was first imposed in 2020. It will increase by 10%, from $6.15 to $6.77 per month for the majority of Harrisburg residences.
According to CRW, the average monthly bill for households in Harrisburg will increase a total of $4.56 a month, from $87.75 to $92.31, in 2024. From 2022 to 2023, the average bill increased about $2.60.
County Taxes Steady in 2024 Budget
Dauphin County last month passed a 2024 budget that holds taxes steady.
The general fund budget totals nearly $220.6 million and, for the 19th year in a row, does not include a property tax increase.
“A lot of hard work and careful review has brought us to the point where we can maintain this impressive streak of 19 years without a tax increase,” said Mike Pries, chair of the county’s board of commissioners.
The property tax rate for county services remained at 6.88 mills, with a mill representing $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value.
The budget is an increase from last year’s budget of $218 million. It includes salary raises for all union contract employees with 2.95% increases for non-union employees.
About 50% of the budget is spent on salaries and benefits for employees, with the other half largely going to areas like service expenses, debt service and grants to organizations.
Crisis Center to Open
In Harrisburg, there will soon be a new place for those with behavioral health issues to receive help.
Dauphin County announced last month its plans to create a Connections Regional Crisis Walk-In Center to provide 24/7 assistance and resources.
The 15,000-square-foot center will be located on the first floor of a building at 1100 S. Cameron Street, which also houses the county’s Case Management Unit.
“We are recognizing that we are not able to meet the needs of our community successfully,” said Annie Strite, mental health/intellectual and developmental disabilities administrator and mental health director for the county. “We want to do an excellent job serving our community.”
According to Strite, the need for the center became evident to the county as the number of people struggling with mental health issues has continued to rise nationally and locally post-COVID.
The new center is a joint project among Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties and will serve as a resource for the region. The project will cost $17.5 million and utilizes state and federal funding.
The county expects the center to open by the end of 2024.
The crisis center will function similarly to an emergency room where people can receive immediate assistance in a crisis, but will be dedicated to serving those with mental health and addiction issues. Anyone can walk in to the center at any time, regardless of their insurance status.
The center will offer a new peer counseling program for those struggling with a mental health issue or walking through the recovery process.
“People want to talk to somebody who has walked that walk and has that experience,” said Andrea Kepler, administrator of Dauphin County mental health/autism/developmental programs.
People will also be able to receive emergency medication prescriptions and access psychiatrists, nurse practitioners and case management personnel. The center will be operated by national mental health care provider Connections Health Solutions.
Homes Sales Down, Prices Steady
Harrisburg-area home sales declined but the median price rose slightly in November, according to the latest report on previously owned houses.
For the three-county area, 492 homes sold versus 616 in November 2022, as the median sales price inched up to $259,500 from $255,000, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).
In Dauphin County, 250 homes sold, 29 fewer than in the year-ago period as the median sales price rose to $235,000 from $219,000, said GHAR.
Cumberland County tallied 214 home sales versus 295 a year ago, while the median sales price totaled $302,000, compared to $300,000 in the prior November, GHAR stated.
In Perry County, 32 homes sold, a drop of six, as the median price dipped to $205,000 from $239,750 a year ago, according to GHAR.
For the month, the pace of sales slowed somewhat, as the “average days on market” clocked in at 22 days versus 17 in November 2022, GHAR said.
So Noted
Anthony L. Loscalzo, Esq., last month was named Of Counsel for SkarlatosZonarich. Loscalzo brings 40 years of legal experience to the Harrisburg-based firm, joining the Elder Law, Estate Administration and Estate Planning departments.
Daniel Youngs has been named the next chief executive officer for the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA). Youngs, the current chief financial officer, will replace Robert Zorbaugh, who plans to retire at the end of 2024 after a 35-year career with the authority.
JoJo’s Barbershop debuted last month at 11 S. 3rd St., one of a string of new businesses to open recently in downtown Harrisburg’s SoMa neighborhood. From the storefront, owner Johanna Martin offers washes and cuts to men, women and children, as well as specialty services including coloring, undercuts and hair design.
Organic Remedies, a Carlisle-based medical marijuana company, has donated $62,250 to the PA Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA), money raised from its second annual golf tournament. Separately, it raised $20,000 to support the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, which serves breast cancer survivors and their families.
Thomas W. Ford is the new owner and supervisor of the Michael J. Shalonis Funeral Home & Cremation Services, located in Marysville. Ford has more than two decades of experience in the industry, having worked as a licensed funeral director and served as a supervisor for funeral homes in York, Lancaster and Dauphin counties.
Ward of Health is opening in downtown Harrisburg, offering plant-based meals at 221 N. 2nd St. Owner Craig Ward began his business with a stand in the Broad Street Market before making the move to the brick-and-mortar location.
William Habacivch last month was named the new executive director of Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania, which is building a “tiny home village” in south Harrisburg to serve homeless veterans. Habacivch, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, replaces Jordan Ames, who left the post in August.
Changing Hands
Adrian St., 2471 & 2473: Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg to Picadillis Real Estate LLC, $165,000
Allison St., 1514: L. Moyer to J. Rivas, $175,000
Bigelow Dr., 13: R. Love to J. Stevenson, $105,000
Boas St., 429: B. & A. Malia to R. Beaston, $240,000
Briggs St., 1822: HBG Rents LLC to L. Guzman, $155,000
Briggs St., 1834: BCR-2 Properties LLC to S. & L. Bethea, $156,000
Cumberland St., 119: J. & L. Weigle to J. Michel, $182,700
Curtin St., 539: J. Brito to Tinhel LLC, $52,500
Emerald St., 328: Jhonleo Home Renovations LLC to A. Corporan, $199,900
Harris St., 213: Braxley Renovations LLC to H. Belcher & R. Pegus, $249,900
Herr St., 308: RSB Real Estate LLC to V. Arkoosh, $188,908
Hoffman St., 3234: K. Bateman to T Wy Enterprise LLC, $85,000
Hoffman St., 3242: Hancock Investments Associates LLC to B. Jarkow & R. Reuveni, $81,453
Holly St., 1851: Hoffman Properties LLC to S. de Sosa, $75,000
James St., 1321: PA Deals LLC to B. Meador, $129,950
Kelker St., 218: A. Czopek to T. Finlan & B. Burgos, $240,000
Kelker St., 624: D. Diep to D. Steltzer, $104,900
Kelker St., 628: S. Orr to Pink Dahlia LLC, $95,000
Maclay St., 332: D. Jolley to W. & M. Hyatt, $90,000
Market St., 1639: Evangelical Methodist Church to E. Puente, $68,000
Market St., 1912: SJL Rentals 2 LLC to 1912 Market LLC, $195,000
Market St., 2048: Dreamland Investors LLC to A. Ashraf, $125,000
Market St., 2201: M. Stanisic to Lugos Home Improvements LLC, $179,900
Melrose St., 912: C. Morton to T. Yun, $145,000
North St., 228: The Berlin Group to S. Salaam, $278,000
N. 2nd St., 1518: W. Sturges & M. Gallagher to N. Ngwane, $290,000
N. 2nd St., 2410: M. Richards to R. & D. Zampogna, $260,000
N. 2nd St., 3301: K. & K. Eshenaur to S. Ellison, $315,000
N. 3rd St., 1124: Keaton & Friends LLC to Phoenix North Third LLC, $505,000
N. 3rd St., 2209: J. Alvarado & I. Rodriguez to S. Nelson, J. Brunson & M. Saeed, $235,000
N. 3rd St., 3020: D. & K. Borelli to Calcor Holdings LLC, $139,920
N. 3rd St., 3031: C. Penn to D. Webster, $185,300
N. 4th St., 2249: M. & F Cruz to L. Roman, $110,000
N. 4th St., 3213: G. Erdman & S. Ukodie to C. Shoemaker & K. Anderson, $190,000
N. 6th St., 1520 & 1528 and 1525 N. 5th St. : Buonarroti Trust to Savoy Harrisburg LLC, $350,000
N. 6th St., 2017: Mahalo Mart LLC to 2017 North Sixth Street LLC, $1,700,000
N. 6th St., 2605: R2 Property Group LLC to Sky Resort Rentals LLC, $78,000
N. 6th St., 3211: D. Colardo to NDTPA Properties LLC, $125,000
N. 17th St., 700: J. Andia to O. Quispe, $70,000
N. 18th St., 34: C. Boyer to D. Boyle, $62,500
N. 19th St., 706: L. Murrell to F. Salcedo, $53,500
N. Front St., 2147: First Church of Christ Scientist to Sanctuary on the Susquehanna LLC, $315,000
N. Front St., 2411: NG Properties to 2411 N Front Street LLC, $475,000
Peffer St., 613: A. Oeun to Q. Phillips, $87,500
Penn St., 1422: A. Drotor to R. Nickel, $155,000
Penn St., 2140: J. Gaidos Investments LLC to Asteriaru LLC, $65,000
Radnor St., 100: Kait Brocious Group LLC to V. Bandell & M. Tipton, $235,000
Radnor St., 102: Angdupe2011 LLC to A. Witte, $221,000
Radnor St., 127: C. Bone to A. & A. Stidfole, $355,000
Regina St., 1446: C. McMullen to R. Brown, $150,000
Ross St., 614: JMA Home Renovations LLC to E. Tesfa, $58,700
Rudy Rd., 2302: J. Chen to J. Montgomery, $225,000
Rudy Rd., 2307: J. Klein to C. & M. Freeman, $170,000
Rudy Rd., 2474: C. Tran to S. To, $95,000
S. 20th St., 23: J. & C. Ludwick to E. & C. Thuma, $115,000
S. 23rd St., 1: Lewis Trust & C. Thomas to A. Burris & R. Banai, $285,000
S. Front St., 587: M. Robert to B. & A. Gockley, $259,900
Swatara St., 2319: BDS Property Group LLC to A. McPherson, $224,900
Swatara St., 2245: G. Anochie to BDS Property Group LLC, $105,000
Verbeke St., 114: Silverstone Enterprises LLC to B. Gebhart, $190,000
Walnut St., 1214: R. & D. Requa to J. Perez, $70,000
Walnut St., 1702½: D&F Realty Holdings LP to H. Peguero, $139,900
Wayne St., 1724: MB Hess Realty LLC to T. Middleton, $55,000
Wiconisco St., 411: J. Weale to M. Riley, $106,000
Wiconisco St., 524: S. Orr to H. Davis, $107,000
Wiconisco St., 566: W. Chisolm to M. Lemons & A. Meadath, $159,900
Wyeth St., 1406: PA Deals LLC to D. Morgan & P. Dorofeeva, $185,000
Zarker St., 1420: GBSM Enterprises LLC to Fernandez Landmark Realty LLC, $60,000
Harrisburg property sales, November 2023, greater than $50,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.
If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!
