Who We Are
Our Mission
Creating Affordable Housing Solutions in Centre County
Our Vision
A Secure and Affordable Place to Live for Everyone in Centre County
Our History
Serving the Centre County Community since 1988
Past
The HOME Foundation was incorporated in 1988 and was originally called Temporary Housing Foundation. It was initially formed as the fundraising arm for Temporary Housing Incorporated, a small non-profit that is now known as Housing Transitions. THI was formed in 1984 by local business owners, faith-based organizations, and government leaders who were concerned about a rising population of unsheltered homeless individuals and families in the area. Originally, a 3-bedroom apartment was rented and provided “3 hots and a cot” as a shelter and place to get hot meals. In the late 1980s, the organization purchased the home located at 217 E Nittany Avenue in State College which is known to this day as the Centre House Shelter. It is also home to the offices of Housing Transitions.
In the late 1990s, THF had the opportunity to become a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) in State College Borough. Federal funding became available to purchase homes, rehabilitate them, and sell homes to qualified buyers at an affordable price. THF has acquired and sold over 30 homes to qualified buyers since then.
THF also took an interest in developing affordable rental properties. Today it owns two duplexes and two larger apartment buildings. Both duplexes offer two 3-bedroom units. One of the larger buildings offers eight 3-bedroom apartments, and one 1-bedroom unit. The other building holds eight 3-bedroom townhomes, all located in State College Borough.
Present
Throughout its time as a CHDO, THF has provided the first time home buyer education, budget and credit counseling, and post purchase counseling services for any of the programs requiring it in the State College Borough Home Partnership Program.
The organization has grown considerably since becoming a HUD Certified Housing Counseling Agency in April of 2020. THF now employees 2 HUD Certified Housing Counselors. Specialties include rental counseling and Homeowner Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP), but a full spectrum of housing counseling is available including budget and credit, pre- and post-purchase counseling and more!
Future
THF is also participating in a statewide initiative to have an Elderly Cottage Housing Opportunity (ECHO) available in each county in Pennsylvania. THF expects to place its first ECHO cottage in the summer of 2025.
In addition, THF participates in the Energy+ initiative started by a group collaboration with State College Community Land Trust and stakeholders that made the SCCLT green build come to fruition in 2017. The Energy+ group seeks to develop best practices for new and retrofit energy efficient upgrades in low- to moderate-income housing to make energy systems more affordable and decrease emissions. The group has expanded its collaborative efforts into the county and is looking for concrete ways to secure funding to assist homeowners in achieving the energy goals for their homes.