PUNXSUTAWNEY -- In response to the need for affordable, decent dwellings for low-income families of the area, the Jefferson County Housing Authority was established as a non-profit organization in 1968. 

Therefore, in honor of the 40th anniversary of the agency’s birth, county commissioners Jeff Pisarcik and chairman Paul Corbin presented a certificate of recognition to the authority’s past and present board members last Tuesday afternoon at a reception at the Jefferson Street High-Rise. 

In addition, Pisarcik bestowed a certificate of appreciation upon current member of the board, John Esposito, who, since his involvement in founding the local agency, has dedicated forty years of his service to the cause. 

According to Authority Executive Director Sandy McGuire, it was because of Esposito’s efforts — with the help of past board member Peter Pape — that the initial block was laid on the foundation of the high rise building December 1971, followed by the construction of the apartments on Beyer Avenue, the first of such housing developments in Jefferson County.

McGuire explained that over the past four decades, the agency has handled Section 8 housing and home-owner programs, as well as being the main agent for rural development properties. 

With federal funding provided through the Department of Housing & Urban Development, the housing authority has erected 287 units in Punxsutawney, Brookvillle, Brockway, Reynoldsville and Sykesville. 

Due to the fact that HUD has recently undergone considerable changes, McGuire said that there is no new construction scheduled; however, the agency is focusing on renovating current properties to deem them handicap accessible, and working closely with the private sector to provide rental assistance to low-income families. 

Likewise, the housing authority is instituting programs aimed at encouraging people to become first-time home-buyers. 

In light of the rapid climb in the cost of utilities and the present state of employment rates, McGuire said of the program, “It is certainly a service needed in the county.”