An Oil City neighborhood association is enlisting help from a state
housing agency that assists low- and moderate-income families and
individuals.
"While the city is developing a blight eradication ordinance, I thought
we should find out what is out there for people who have problems with
housing," said Scott Smail, treasurer of the Siverly Neighborhood
Association.
Smail, an organizer of the Siverly group, said curiosity about what
housing-related programs were available and concern about people who
are economically disadvantaged or on fixed incomes prompted him to
search for information.
What he found was the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), an
organization that offers programs to help families and individuals sort
out housing difficulties. Those programs include home purchases, public
housing, contractors and more.
To share the information, Smail has set up a public program featuring a
PHFA representative on Thursday, May 1. The 6 p.m. program, one which
will outline what PHFA offers, will be held at Venango Campus.
"The PHFA has a multitude of programs for homebuyers, seniors, the
disabled," Smail said. "Some are set up to have individuals deal
directly with banks for low-interest loans. And, there are programs to
help with down payments and closing costs, programs to help modify a
house for the disabled and programs for renters."
Smail said that although he does not think the PHFA approach will work for everyone, it may offer assistance to some.
"We talk about people having problems with their houses and so this is
an opportunity to learn. If you don't know what is out there, you don't
have a chance. There is a possibility that the state agency programs
could address at least some of the situations involving Oil City people
who have housing issues," Smail said.
A native of Oil City, Smail worked for many years as an electronic
technician in North Carolina and South Carolina. Health problems
prompted his retirement and he moved back to Oil City, a destination he
said was always a priority.
"I came back two years ago, a bit earlier than I thought I would. But I always wanted to end up back home," Smail said.
There is limited seating for the PHFA program and people who want to
attend should contact Smail by Friday. Reservations may be made by
calling him at 677-3827, e-mailing him at srsmail1@verizon.net or
writing him at 80 Siverly Ave., Oil City.
The Siverly Neighborhood Association will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at
the Free Methodist Church on Willow Street. The meeting will be
conducted by Jack Toth, the newly elected association coordinator.