Bloomsburg housing project to assist flood victims announced

State and local leaders announced Tuesday that the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) secured $5 million of federal Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery funding for a multi-phase, mixed-use residential and commercial development in Bloomsburg.

The development, called Silk Mills, will include flood-resilient housing for residents. Flooding has recently damaged or destroyed many homes in the Bloomsburg area.

“Bloomsburg has seen tough times due to flooding, but this project is a source of hope for many who found their homes damaged or destroyed and gives them the opportunity to find new housing,” DCED Deputy Secretary Rick Vilello said. “The Wolf Administration has targeted flood protection and community revitalization as a key goal for communities like Bloomsburg all across the commonwealth. This project will not only help flood victims, it will create unique vibrancy in one of Bloomsburg’s core neighborhoods.”

The $5 million in funding will support Phase Two of the project, which includes the construction of 64 one- and two-bedroom apartments. Two of the units will be designated at or below 50 percent of the area median income (AMI), and 31 units will be designated at or below 80 percent of AMI.

Silk Mills also includes mixed uses for commercial, office and retail.

In May, DCED also received approval of funding to support a comprehensive flood protection project for Bloomsburg.