Year: 2017

Marquas Fountain, a new therapist from Pressley Ridge, will be providing counseling services at Columbia Life Network on Wednesdays. CLN is located at 336 Locust Street, Columbia. See above for further information.

Beginning in March, Susquehanna Heritage will introduce its monthly early childhood program, Tadpole Time, at Columbia Crossing River Trail Center. Tadpole Time will feature monthly themes that explore the natural world along the river, with a nature-themed story, songs, and activities that will encourage your child’s curiosity about the world around them.

The program will take place on the second Wednesday of the month, beginning March 8, 10-11 a.m. Tadpole Time is for children ages 2-5 with their caretakers. The cost is $4 per child, and registration is suggested. Register by calling 717-449-5607, e-mailing info@columbiacrossing.org, or pay at the door.

Columbia Borough has announced a new home improvement and home purchasing assistance program, in partnership with the Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership (LHOP) (the main partner) and Lancaster County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities. The program aims to improve the quality of housing stock and living conditions in the borough and to encourage home ownership and revitalize the North Third Street corridor.

Fern Dannis, LHOP’s chief operating/lending officer, said the initial area also includes Second Street and Cedar Street – with a couple of small streets in between – and Walnut Street. She said the program is for single-family primary residences. Accessory buildings such as garages and sheds do not qualify. Dannis added that it is aimed primarily at repairs for code compliance. The interest rate is 1.5% with a seven-year repayment term that includes incentives for paying early and on time.

Borough Manager Greg Sahd emphasized the interest rate, which he termed as attractive. “Prime interest rate is 3.75%. That’s the rate that banks lend to their best, highest credit-worthy customers. This is less than half of that,” he said.

The undertaking, which partners LHOP with a specific municipality for loans is a first of its kind. The Lancaster County Community Foundation provided grant funding for the project, aimed at building or rehabilitating decent, affordable housing within the borough.

In a press release issued by the borough, Council President Kelly Murphy said, “We know we have a great community in Columbia. With this program, we want to enable homebuyers and homeowners to invest in their residences. This will have a ripple effect within the area – sprucing up a well-traveled corridor at the entry to our city, spurring neighbors and business owners to update their properties and building pride throughout Columbia.”

During the first year, which begins March 1, the borough and LHOP will each provide $150,000 in funding. $200,000 will be designated for home rehabilitation improvements and the other $100,000 directly for home purchasing costs.

Home Improvement Loans ranging from $500 to $15,000 will be available through an application process for single-family homes either currently occupied as a primary residence or that will be inhabited as a primary residence once renovations are completed. Following LHOP’s existing First Time Homebuyers Program, Homeownership Loans up to $10,000 will be available via an application process for first-time homebuyers who have not owned a home within the last three years. For both programs, eligibility is income specific, based on area median income as determined annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Ray D’Agostino, LHOP’s executive director

“LHOP is excited to partner with Columbia Borough to offer a program enhancing housing conditions and increasing home ownership opportunities,” said Ray D’Agostino, executive director of the nonprofit, in a press release. “In a real sense, the program will improve living conditions and make home ownership more attainable and affordable in Columbia. LHOP and Columbia are grateful to the Lancaster County Community Foundation for seed funding LHOP’s housing improvement initiative, which has made this collaboration possible.”

Since 2014, LHOP has worked with eight homebuyers in Columbia to achieve home ownership, three of which are still in the works. With this new program, additional residents will be able to overcome obstacles to purchasing their own houses.

Columbia will be considering applications for houses in the 200-500 blocks of North Third Street and the surrounding neighborhood, including North Second. Renovations can be for the main home, but not for sheds or garages, and can include exterior façade updates or internal improvements. Staff will be available at the Columbia Life Network, 336 Locust Street, twice a month to answer questions and help prepare applications.

LHOP is a nonprofit organization, certified as a U.S. Treasury Department-approved Community Development Financial Institution, able to underwrite and administer loans. Part of the program’s coordination will be through the Lancaster Housing and Redevelopment Authorities, to tap the federally funded Home Repair Program.

The initiative’s partners intend to create a revolving fund process, wherein repayment of the borrowed funds will be used to institute new housing improvement and home ownership opportunities within the borough.

Part of the sidewalk along North Fifth Street was blocked off with caution tape this afternoon due to a loose dormer window in imminent danger of falling. The property in question is at 119 North Fifth and is considered to be blighted. It has been vacant for months. Until the situation is resolved, pedestrians will be forced to walk onto the highway to get around the property.

The borough has recently taken steps to reduce the number of such properties under several new programs which Columbia Spy will review in the near future.

 Caution tape blocks the sidewalk at 119 N. 5th

The house is one of many blighted properties in the borough.

A loose window, precariously perched, creates a safety hazard.

Mayor Leo Lutz presented certificates of appreciation from the Borough of Columbia to two local organizations for their donations to the Columbia Borough Police Department, at Monday night’s borough council meeting.

A certificate was presented to American Legion Post 372 for its donation of $6,000. A second certificate was presented to the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge for its donation of $1,800. The funds were used by the police department to purchase body armor and tactical helmets for officers.

Borough:

School Board: