County housing authority OKs land purchase for 50unit complex in Rostraver

When the four-story complex is complete, it will be similar to Grand View Senior Residences in Irwin, which opened this year for low income seniors.

The Westmoreland County Housing Authority recently approved the purchase of property in Rostraver Township for a new senior housing development.

With an aging population in the area, Rostraver Township Commissioners President Jeffrey Johnson, said that they’re excited to bring the project to the area.

“It’s desperately needed in the township,” Johnson said. “We’ve been looking to get something in here for our seniors for a while now, something affordable for our seniors.”

The housing authority approved the purchase of the 6-acre property next to Willowbrook Plaza along Route 51 for $600,000.

The Rostraver Township commissioners are expected to vote on a zoning change for the property during their next regular meeting 6 p.m. Oct. 2.

Housing authority Director Mike Washowich said construction for the project could begin in 2026 and Johnson said the groundbreaking could even begin at the end of this year.

“They’re not quite that far along yet, but I would expect, they’re moving pretty quick. There’s a possibility of groundbreaking by the end of this year,” Johnson said.

According to Washowich, when the four-story, 50-unit complex is complete, it will be similar to Grand View Senior Residences in Irwin. The project in Rostraver will add something that is much needed in the area, according to both Johnson and Washowich.

In Rostraver, 22% of the population is 65 and older, according to the latest U.S. Census figures. In 2010, that figure was 18.5% and 10 years prior it was nearly 17%, data shows.

The project is expected to cost $14 million and officials are expected to close on the property in November. The housing authority will be applying to receive federal tax credits to pay for the project.

Johnson said his board enjoyed working with the housing authority board and that they partnered well.

“The county reached out to us and asked us about a couple parcels that they had eyeballed and were looking at, and asked us which ones we prefer,” Johnson said. “And we preferred the one that they’re doing out by the Shop ‘n Save plaza, the one they finalized on. So they came and met with us, and we went over what they had in mind, and kind of just discussed together and agreed that parcel looked better and it was in a better location.”

The senior housing plan will be conveniently located near a grocery store, a bank, restaurants, the Rostraver Public Library and the Penn Highlands Mon Valley HealthPlex.

According to Johnson, once the township approves the zoning change, the authority will bring building plans for approval to Rostraver’s planning commission.

TribLive contributed to this story.