WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County Commissioners have approved more than $2.8 million in contract funding for renovations at Liberty House in Phoenixville. The approval came during last week’s public meeting, attended by Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell, and Michelle Kichline.
The funds will be directed to Pennrose Properties, tasked with carrying out capital improvements and renovations to Liberty House’s 48 affordable housing units. The Chester County Department of Community Development is set to oversee the administration of these funds for the property updates.
“Renovating Liberty House is crucial to addressing the affordable housing crisis facing individuals with mental illness living in Chester County,” stated the Commissioners. “This funding will replace the property’s outdated mechanical systems, inefficient windows, the roof, and other exterior problems, while also providing ADA-accessible updates in a few of the units. It’s a long-overdue project that will keep those who live there safe and warm.”
The $2.8 million in funding comes from multiple sources, including the HOME Investment Partnerships Program ($1,505,000), a Community Development Block Grant ($940,000), and Health Choices Reinvestment Funds ($375,000). The renovation works at Liberty House are scheduled to begin in 2024 and continue through 2025.
Dolores Colligan, Director of Chester County’s Department of Community Development, underlined the planned improvements: “In addition to the structural improvements to Liberty House, significant upgrades will be made to the common areas, including new energy-efficient appliances for the community kitchen, which provides two meals each day to residents. The area where onsite services are administered by Pennrose Management Company and Human Services Inc. will also be upgraded.”
Liberty House, located on part of the old Valley Forge General Hospital campus, opened in 1996 under the management of Pennrose Properties. Its establishment was made possible with financial assistance from the County of Chester, The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, the Housing Authority of Chester County, and Community Mental Health Services.
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