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Health & Fitness

Addendum: Issue- Parkview Heights; What is Section 8?

I am glad to have received phone calls regarding my blog today. It is good to know that people are paying attention. It has been brought to my attention that I should clarify some of my previous statements. Here we go.

Parkview Heights; what is it?

Parkview Heights is a proposed residential dwelling complex (apartment building) coming up in front of Borough Council for a green light. It is proposed to be built on the North Side of the borough, at the intersection of Parkview and Franklin, across the street from Franklin Commons, and next to the playground.  It will fall under the public provision of “Workforce Housing,” as opposed to Section 8.

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What exactly are the implications of “Workforce Housing?”

Honestly good citizens, it is not a whole lot different than Section 8. Apparently Section 8 is a federally sanctioned state subsidized public welfare program, and “Workforce Housing” subsidies come straight from the Fed.  It’s actually a 65% subsidized rate, meaning the approved tenant must contribute 35% of their income. To cite my former formula, this means that the hypothetical $1000.00 a month rent would cost the resident $350.00 a month based on a monthly income of $1000.00 , as opposed to the $300.00 it would cost the resident under the state subsidized Section 8.  The landlord is still guaranteed a $650.00 check, free & clear, per $1000.00 unit, per month.  

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For those who don’t me yet, I’m the kind of guy who says if it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, even if its feathers are purple, it’s still a duck. Honestly this story just keeps getting better.

Originally the developers wanted to have it slated for federal & state subsidized senior occupancy, however have since withdrawn that proposal.  In addition to the withdrawal of the senior tenants’ proposal, they have decreased the proposed acreage from 15 acres to 10 acres; you know “Open Space” concerns. (smirk)

It is proposed that this 72 unit, 4 story complex be deemed approved by Phoenixville Borough Council to consist of a 68% “Workforce Housing” federally subsidized occupancy and a 32% private market occupant (regular renters) share.

So now we have this 4 story, 72 unit complex about to be constructed in an area of town that commandeered immeasurable law enforcement resources for how many years, and the best part is they won’t even have on-sight management there. I have been told that these developers plan to outsource a 24 hour on call service. But this is all just a proposal.    

72 Units, 4 stories high? Are we ok with this? With no 24 hour on-site management? Really PPC? And you want to recommend that Borough Council approve this?

Again I ask how do the residents feel?  I am pretty sure the answer is we don’t know entirely. The reason we don’t know is the majority of those directly affected are undereducated on the issue. For instance:

Once approved for “Workforce Housing” subsidies by the Fed, the property owners do not need approval from the local government (Borough Council) when it comes to oversight of the property. This means that our 8 Council members (4 wards with 2 representatives each, elected every 2 years for 4 alternating seats) would have absolutely no say in policy regarding this “residential community” once it is approved for the federal “Workforce Housing” program.

I guess I would never think that Section 8 could sound like a winner, and then I got educated on “Workforce Housing.”

No Borough Authority, No local government oversight, just a 4 story complex, sanctioned by the Fed, and patrolled by the police.  What do you think Phoenixville? See you at borough hall.  

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