Wesley Family Services – Pioneer
Due to Governor Wolf’s Stay-at-Home Order that was issued because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, construction at our Pioneer Apartments development has been temporarily halted. This will delay the completion of the development which eventually will house our New Kensington offices and affordable apartment units for single adults and families. We do not know when construction will resume but we’ll continue to provide you with updates as we know more.
Located on 4th Avenue between 10th and 11th Streets in New Kensington, this development will be the home of 1,2, and 3 bedroom housing units and WFS programs and services.
This $18.2M development is being funded largely through two tax credit programs: $6.7M in New Market Tax Credit financing from the Corporation for Supportive Housing and $9.4M in Low Income Housing Tax Credits allocated by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Authority (PHFA). The organization also received grant funding from the Richard King Mellon Foundation and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, as well as a no interest loan from PHFA.
Perfido Weiskopf Wagstaff + Goettel Architects designed this development project, and Mistick Construction will build it—both are local companies. An estimated 26 construction jobs will be created as a result of this project.
“We’re excited to move forward with this project and we have received overwhelming support from the city and county,” said Stephen Christian-Michaels, Chief Strategy Officer of Wesley Family Services. “Our organization has been a part of the New Kensington community since the 1970s and we hope that Pioneer Apartments shows that we are deeply committed to this region.”
About Pioneer Apartments
Pioneer Apartments will offer affordable housing with 36 one bedroom, two bedroom, and three bedroom units to meet the needs of both individuals and families. Several of the units will have mobility and hearing/visual accessibility in order to accommodate those who may have a disability or special need. Residents of Pioneer Apartments will have access to on-site laundry facilities, a community room with a kitchen, bicycle storage, and an off-street parking lot. The building will be energy efficient and designated as a LEED Silver facility.
New Location for Wesley Family Services – New Kensington
On the first and second floors of the building, Wesley Family Services will offer a variety of programs and services that will be available to residents and members of the local community. Approximately 100 to 125 of the organization’s behavioral health and autism therapeutic staff members will work out of this location.
Construction on the Pioneer Project began in June 2019 and will take about 14 months for the work to be completed. This new integrated building is expected to open in Summer of 2020.