The Observer-Reporter (Washington and Greene County Pennsylvania)

July 16, 2010

WAYNESBURG - Commissioners hired a Columbus, Ohio, research firm Thursday to study housing issues in the Waynesburg area.

"There is definitely a housing need in this county. We know it and we recognize it and we have been very aggressive in getting something done about it," said Commissioner Pam Snyder. "This is the first step."

Bowen National Research will be paid $1,900 to conduct a cursory study of the Waynesburg area that will take about four weeks. More extensive research may be necessary later but the preliminary study will be paid through a grant the county received from Community Action Southwest.

Snyder said Community Action, Area Agency on Aging and several other agencies have been working together to address the housing problem. County officials believe there is a shortage of senior housing and housing for low- to moderate-income families.

"It's one thing for us to say we need housing, and it's another thing to show that," Snyder said.

The study is supposed to help in that regard. It may also help the county entice housing developers by making the area eligible for federal and state tax credits.

"This (study) will be a good indicator to tell us what we need to do next," said Robbie Matesic, executive director of the county's planning department.

For the remainder of the article, please click on the link below.

http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/greenenews/07-16-2010-commish