Renovations Preserve Affordable Senior Housing in Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH ­– National Church Residences announces the renovation of Sharpsburg Towers at 601 Main Street in Pittsburgh. The $5.2 million project was completed earlier this year and included numerous upgrades and enhancements to the community.

Opening in 1980 and previously renovated in 2010, Sharpsburg Towers provides apartment homes to residents age 62 and older. National Church Residences built the community through a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program called the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program. The Section 202 program helps expand available affordable housing for low-income seniors through financing and rent subsidies, allowing them to live independently with supportive services. The organization wants to thank HUD for providing this initial capital to build Sharpsburg Towers and for remaining committed to ongoing rental assistance for residents.

“The investments made by National Church Residences and our partners were key to preserving this affordable housing community in Pittsburgh, where more than 17 percent of the population are seniors,¹” said Vice President of Affordable Housing, Eric Walker. “This renovation improves quality of life for our current residents and ensures that the community will serve area seniors for decades to come.”

Major upgrades to each of the 103 one-bedroom apartments included updated kitchen cabinets, countertops and appliances, new bathroom vanities and new heating and cooling systems.

The indoor common areas also received a makeover that included a more inviting front lobby, as well as a new computer and multi-purpose room and a refreshed community room with an updated kitchen and amenities for meetings and social gatherings.

“National Church Residences would like to recognize and thank the financial partners who made this project possible, including the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, the National Equity Fund and Orix Real Estate Capital,” added Walker.

Sharpsburg Towers is in the heart of the borough of Sharpsburg, known as the home of H.J. Heinz, who began his business in his residence there. Besides the recent upgrades, the community offers residents support from an on-site service coordinator, an on-location laundry and an outdoor picnic area.

National Church Residences has 959 units of senior housing across 18 communities in Pennsylvania.

About National Church Residences

National Church Residences serves more than 42,000 seniors through its array of housing and health care services. The not-for-profit organization is driven by a vision of advancing better living for all seniors, enabling them to remain home for life. With 340 communities in 25 states, it is the nation’s largest not-for-profit provider of affordable senior housing and the largest manager of service coordinators. The organization also offers residential senior communities, home and community-based services, as well as permanent supportive housing for the formerly homeless and disabled. For more information, visit us at NationalChurchResidences.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Pittsburgh Senior Population Statistics

¹ https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/pittsburgh-pa-population