Malagari announces $500,000 grant for affordable senior housing

Hatfield, Oct. 20 – State Rep. Steve Malagari, D-Montgomery, today announced a $500,000 grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development has been awarded for an affordable senior living center in Hatfield.

“This is money well spent,” said Malagari. “Over 100 seniors will have an affordable and modernized place to live, right in a historic and accessible part of Hatfield.”

The funding will be used to renovate the former Laudenslager School in Hatfield. Built in 1921 and vacated for several years, the school is set to hold 35 units of affordable housing. Future phases will consist of the construction of two additional buildings surrounding the existing school building that will contain approximately 45 additional units each.

The $500,000 in funding is needed to address environmental and age-related conditions in the building while it is converted from institutional to residential use.

Malagari said that the preservation of the existing building is the desired outcome for many local stakeholders and residents. With local citizens’ concerns in mind, the development team proposed a plan for the site that includes the preservation of the historic building.

He also added that there is a strong need for affordable senior housing in Hatfield. Malagari said the community has been very supportive of the redevelopment efforts, and he hopes to see this site used in a way that is consistent with community needs and desires.