A portion of the old Hammermill Paper property will soon see new development.

On Thursday, Mayor Joe Schember announced that the city of Erie will provide the Housing and Neighborhood Development Service (HANDS) a $3 million loan for the construction of a new affordable housing unit.

Located off of East Lake Road, the 40-unit property will be known as Hammermill Village, and will provide affordable housing to low-income families.

HANDS CEO Matthew Good says the need for more options is great.

"There was just a real demand for the quality of housing, as well as the affordability of rent," said Good.  "As the private sector market has really put pressure on rent increases, people are desiring a quality yet affordable housing opportunity."

The city is also providing Community Preservation Partners with $450,000 to help out with the full renovation of Methodist Towers.

"We're lucky enough that the project is in full swing," said Community Preservation Partners Senior VP Seth Gellis.  "It's very exciting."
The money will be used to help upgrade the buildings 184 senior-living units.

"In the units it will be new flooring, new countertops, new cabinets, almost completely new units for the residents," said Gellis.  "We are extremely excited about it."

The Methodist Towers project is expected to wrap up by the end of the year, while the Hammermill Village project hopes to begin construction next year.

This story is supported by the Economic Hardship Reporting Project.