By Sarah Taylor
It’s no surprise that thousands of students, families and retirees ecstatically claim Happy Valley is the best place to live, work and play. The close community, incredible education systems and awe-inspiring natural terrain make it the perfect place to raise a family, start a business or plan a weekend getaway.
However, the costs of living and housing have increased in the past few years. Fortunately, various organizations have stepped in to care for the community.
Interfaith Human Services aids low-income and vulnerable families, helping them attain or maintain financial stability. Interfaith Human Services helps those families escape the cycle of day-to-day financial crisis by fostering longer-term financial stability. The organization reduces major expenses and ensures bill payments continue, so hundreds in the Centre County region are able to stretch their incomes to cover other essential needs.
“There are a significant number of people living on the edge of poverty and being exploited even though they are not easily ‘seen’,” Interfaith Executive Director Curt Knouse shared.
As the price of living has increased, so has the cost of housing. Local nonprofit State College Community Land Trust is looking to ease the urgent need for affordable housing and affordable homeownership in the State College Borough.
The Land Trust was founded back in 1996 to provide “permanent affordable homeownership opportunities to low-moderate income households in hopes of securing the tax base and cultivating diverse neighborhoods for prosperous, resilient and engaged communities.” Now, the organization has partnered with the Borough of State College and The Home Foundation as part of an Energy+ partnership that will include energy efficiency as a central component to housing affordability.
Outreach and development coordinator, Jennifer Jourdan, explained that the collaborative government, combined with Penn State research, and the generous philanthropic Happy Valley community, helps the nonprofit accomplish its mission of equity, wellbeing and innovation in the region.
As a result of these nonprofits, more community members are able to enjoy the amenities Happy Valley has to offer, without stressing over financial stability. Learn more about how nonprofits are contributing to Happy Valley’s livability here.
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Sarah Taylor is a communications professional studying telecommunications at Penn State University. She can be reached at sarah.st.taylor@gmail.com.
