Board OKs zoning for VOAPA apartments to address homelessness in Wilkes-Barre
Jul. 21—WILKES-BARRE — Over concerns raised by a resident about the possibility of having people released from prison as neighbors, the Volunteers of America Pennsylvania received zoning approval Wednesday for an apartment building on a property it owns on East Division Street.
Richard Meussig offered the only opposition to the $1.34 million project that would demolish part of what was originally a sanitarium for tuberculosis patients in the early 1900s to make way for five, one-bedroom apartments.
The VOA proposed the project to provide permanent affordable housing for "adults experiencing homelessness or housing instability" and supportive social services for the tenants.
But Meussig, a former city official, pressed VOAPA President Jodina Hicks for more specific information.
"Are there going to be like ex-offenders," Meussig asked.
"There could be. That's not the target audience, but we won't be discriminating against anyone," Hicks responded.
The organization proposed the project to address blight and the local problems of homelessness and affordable housing that it said go hand in hand.
VOAPA has more than 60 affordable housing units in Luzerne County as well as Ruth's Place, the emergency shelter for homeless women and Manna House that offers transitional housing for homeless youth.
The latest addition will be named Brian's Place after the late Brian Johns who was a homeless street outreach worker for the organization. The apartments will have 750 square feet with a kitchen, bathroom, living room, dining and bedroom. The project includes a common area to serve as a daytime shelter for homeless people men. The tenants will undergo background checks before they sign leases and pay rent.
No drugs will be administered by the VOAPA and no curfew will be in effect for the tenants. Some of the tenants could be referrals from agencies such as Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Mental Health & Developmental Services, but none are court mandated.
"They're not parolees. They are independent people who will be residing and keeping up their households, good neighbors," Hicks explained.
"I don't want that in my neighborhood. I'm sorry," Meussig responded. He suggested the project be moved next to the Salvation Army's property next to the South Street bridge. He also inquired whether the nonprofit VOAPA makes a Payment in Lieu of Taxes to the city and whether it will increase when the apartment complex is built.
The VOAPA is budgeted for a $1,500 PILOT this year to Wilkes-Barre for its Palmer House property.
"I don't like criminals in my neighborhood," Meussig told the board.
Further explaining the project, Hicks said it will look for stable, long-term residents who will be able to keep up their apartments. They will either be employed or on a fixed income. Criminal background checks will be done and look at the length, frequency and severity of incarceration. People with backgrounds in arson and crimes against women and children will be limited out as tenants.
"May I add it's currently a blighted building that we had problems with people breaking into. It's currently a liability to the community," Hicks said.
A $112,000 Local Share Account gambling grant from the state has been received for the project. In addition, the VOAPA requested $610,826 from the county American Rescue Plan funding from the federal government.
Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott.
