Berks County is a diamond-shaped jurisdiction of about 864 square miles in southeastern Pennsylvania. The county has a strong manufacturing and agricultural character, but population and housing growth over the past 30 years has made the area increasingly suburban. A strong service economy complements the manufacturing base.

Action Plan

During the first year of its 5-year plan, Berks County will spend nearly $3.4 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, $569,000 in HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funds, and $115,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds on projects that target housing rehabilitation, community services, and infrastructure improvements.

Citizen Participation

In developing its Consolidated Plan, the county followed a detailed citizen participation plan that involved a wide spectrum of the community. This included low-income residents, representatives of social services agencies, and business leaders. It incorporated a communitywide needs assessment prepared by the United Way of Berks County. The public- private collaborative, Berks County Growth Issues Forum, held two conferences to inform the public and stakeholders about growth issues in the county. Also, a 32-page Public Information Handbook on Consolidated Federal Programs was widely distributed. Public hearings were held in June 1994 and January 1995. In order to make the hearings accessible to a wide audience, the second hearing was held at the studios of Berks Community Television and broadcast to the community.

Berks County includes one major city, Reading, as well as 31 boroughs and 44 townships. The county's population of 339,000 includes 80,000 in the city of Reading, 184,000 in the townships, and 75,000 in the boroughs.

The economy of the county has undergone a fundamental shift in recent years. Traditional industries, such as textiles, have shut down because they were no longer competitive in world markets. Roads, utilities, and infrastructure have been strained by development. Although farmland is being threatened by suburban development, agriculture remains important. The 1,809 farms that occupy 243,260 acres of land produced $168 million in goods in 1987, making Berks County among the top 100 agricultural counties in the Nation.

The economic and demographic shifts have been particularly strong in Reading, where large portions of the middle class and individuals between the ages of 20 and 44 have moved to the suburbs. They have been replaced by a low-income, minority population. Many of the city's once great factories are now obsolete and vacant. Despite extensive economic development efforts, businesses continue to relocate outside the city and disinvestment continues downtown.

In contrast to Reading, the 44 townships of Berks County are growing into suburban centers. All but two townships have experienced population increases in the past decade. Growth rates have generally been between 10 and 40 percent, and, in some cases, more than 40 percent. Most of the new houses are being built in the townships, a trend that is expected to continue.

The 31 boroughs in Berks County are quite diverse. Many are picturesque towns that still serve the rural farming communities surrounding them. Others reflect the strong industrial past and are close to natural resources, waterways, or railroads. The housing stock in the boroughs tends to be older, with significant architectural and historical features. Many of the county's housing rehabilitation needs are found in the boroughs.

The population of Berks County is predominantly white. During the 1980s, Reading lost 8,071 white residents, while the boroughs and townships gained 21,409 white residents. Minorities are concentrated in Reading. The Hispanic population increased by 8,761 during this period, with most of the gains occurring in Reading. The African-American population grew by 1,706, with that increase split between Reading and the remainder of the county.

In 1990 the median family income (MFI) for Berks County was $37,355.

Housing Needs

In developing its Consolidated Plan, Berks County reached four basic conclusions regarding its housing needs:

• The majority of unmet housing needs in the boroughs and townships are among owner-occupied households (58 percent). Owners also constitute the majority of cost-burdened households in the boroughs and townships.
• Elderly households are the largest group with unmet housing needs in both the townships and boroughs. Of low-income residents with unmet housing needs, 38 percent are elderly.
• In Reading, small-family renters have both the highest unmet housing needs and highest incidence of severe housing cost burdens (those paying more than 50 percent of household income for housing costs).
• The majority of unmet housing needs in Reading are among renter households. Renters constitute more than 70 percent of the city's households with severe housing cost burdens.

Housing Market Conditions

The overall housing market for Berks County has been characterized by solid growth over the past 10 years. However, there is a wide disparity in housing values between Reading and the boroughs and townships: the median housing value in Reading is $37,700, versus $112,000 in the boroughs and townships.

Because of the lower housing values and rents in Reading, low-income persons have a greater opportunity to find housing there. In the remainder of the county, the price of housing is highly dependent on its proximity to growth centers.

The overall median monthly rent for the county is $342. However, the median rent in Reading is $292.

According to the 1990 census, the rental vacancy rate in Berks County was 6.3 percent and the vacancy rate for housing units for sale was 5.4 percent. In Reading the vacancy rates are higher for rental units (7.8 percent) but significantly lower for units for sale (1.9 percent).

Affordable Housing Needs

An estimated 15,497 extremely low-income (0-30 percent of MFI) and very low-income households (31-50 percent of MFI) in Berks County have one or more housing problems. Housing problems are characterized as cost burdened (paying more than 30 percent of income for housing costs), overcrowded conditions, and substandard conditions. Elderly households account for 48 percent of these households. Reading has disproportionately high rates of cost-burdened and low-income households as compared with the boroughs and townships.

Among the 5,587 low-income households (51-80 percent of MFI) with housing problems, non-elderly owners make up 48 percent of the total. Forty-five percent of these households are renter-occupied.

At the moderate-income level (81-95 percent of MFI), 1,245 non-elderly homeowners have housing problems.

Homeless Needs

A 1990 point-in-time survey counted 334 persons in homeless shelters, with 54 percent living in Reading. More than one-third (37 percent) of those homeless were children. Many homeless have special needs related to mental illness and/or substance abuse problems. Local resources to assist the homeless include:

• The Reading Emergency Shelter, which provides 144 beds for homeless persons and serves as a day drop-in center. The shelter provided beds and assistance to 1,040 homeless persons in 1994.
• The Salvation Army Family Service Center, which has 34 beds for women and children. The center also gives financial assistance to families at risk of becoming homeless.
• The Berks Women in Crisis Shelter, which provides 26 beds for victims of domestic violence and their children. In 1994 the shelter provided services to 319 women and 425 children.
• The Hope Rescue Mission, which provides emergency shelter for single men. In 1992 the organization provided 19,598 nights of shelter and nearly 50,000 meals to homeless men.

Public and Assisted Housing Needs

The Berks County Housing Authority (BCHA) operates 209 public housing units. Most of the public housing units are considered to be in very good condition. The BCHA also administers 396 Section 8 certificates and vouchers.

Barriers to Affordable Housing

In Pennsylvania, the State provides the framework for public policies such as taxation, land use control, zoning ordinances, and growth limits. Within that framework, the Berks County Comprehensive Plan directs land use to accommodate economic development while protecting the rural countryside and ecologically sensitive areas. Although the plan is designed to discourage overdevelopment by preserving open space, natural resources, and agriculture, it may also restrict land available for affordable housing.

Lead-Based Paint

Since Berks County has an aging housing stock, many of its homes have potential lead- based paint hazards. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 546 cases of children with high blood-lead levels in Berks County during Fiscal Year 1993. The problem is especially acute in Reading because an estimated 75 percent of housing units contain lead- based paint. The county will continue to improve its efforts in informing people of lead- based paint hazards and will use available abatement funding.

Other Issues

Farm workers are important to the continued viability of the county's fruit, vegetable, and mushroom industries. Mushroom growers employ the majority of farm workers in the county and provide year-round employment. Of the approximately 2,500 farm workers in the county, 28 percent live in housing units provided by the grower. Most county farm workers have annual family incomes between $4,000 and $8,000. Nearly 90 percent are minorities. Because of the small supply of decent, affordable housing, they are often forced to live in substandard conditions.

Community Development Needs

Continued suburban development has placed a strain on many of the county's facilities and services. Street and sewer improvements are two of the greatest needs in Berks County. Senior citizen centers, parks, and recreation facilities must be expanded and improved. Accessibility features must be brought up to Federal standards. Employment training and substance abuse treatment programs are needed. Also, improvements to the commercial- industrial infrastructure are necessary to promote economic development and provide employment opportunities.

Housing Priorities

Berks County has developed some guiding principles that provide direction for its affordable housing strategy:

• Develop housing programs that meet the needs of the homeless and put them on a path to independence.
• Address the needs of those currently living in unsafe conditions.
• Address those persons with special needs who are currently being provided supportive services.
• Assist those persons who are severely cost burdened.
• Develop housing programs that give participants a sense of hope.

Based on these principles, the elements of the Berks County strategic plan for housing are:

• Develop a program to provide modifications for homeowners with disabilities and specialized housing for persons with disabilities.
• Continue to improve the Housing Authority's family self-sufficiency program.
• Conduct a rent survey to improve the operation of the Section 8 community.
• Renew the county's commitment to the Berks Community Action Program.
• Continue dialog among various housing agencies, lenders, and service providers that began at the housing conference.
• Aggressively pursue the development of facilities for the frail elderly.
• Continue the county's Closing Cost Assistance Program.
• Continue the Planning Commission's role of providing guidance and technical assistance to communities on regulatory issues.
• Carry out a strategy to reduce lead-based paint hazards.

Non-housing Community Development Priorities

Berks County has established community development goals that apply to all sections of the plan. Goals have been established in land use planning, economic development, public services, recreation, transportation, intergovernmental cooperation, energy conservation, and preservation of community identity. Along with these goals is a strategy to increase citizen participation in local government.

Anti-Poverty Strategy

A number of county agencies serve persons living below the poverty level. United Way of Berks County is currently conducting a social service needs assessment of the county. This assessment is expected to create a better understanding of the needs of those living in poverty and will lead to better coordination of agencies serving this population.

Berks County believes its housing policies, which place an emphasis on lower income housing, and its family self-sufficiency programs, which link housing and social services, will play a role in reducing the number of persons living in poverty.

Housing and Community Development Resources

Berks County has actively utilized available resources to address its community needs. Continuing efforts will be made to expand funding from both private and public resources.

Coordination of Strategic Plan

The Berks County Community Development Office is the lead agency for carrying out the Consolidated Plan. The county will continue to work with the Planning Commission, the Public Housing Authority, emergency shelters, non-profit organizations, and other county agencies to strengthen and coordinate the delivery systems necessary to improve the quality and availability of the county's housing stock. The county will cooperate with Reading, the boroughs, the townships, and the State to implement the Strategic Plan.

Description of Key Projects

For 1995 Berks County will utilize several major funding sources, including nearly $3.4 million in CDBG funds, $570,000 in HOME funds, and $230,000 in ESG funds. Funding for key projects will include:

• $300,000 for the construction of 15 single-family houses that will be rented to persons with disabilities.
• $520,000 for the provision of deferred-payment loans to 22 low-income homeowners to rehabilitate their homes.
• $37,500 for fair-housing activities, including mediation of grievance disputes and investigative services related to fair housing.
• $199,000 for tenant-based rental assistance to persons coming out of transitional housing facilities, domestic abuse shelters, emergency shelters, and community rehabilitation residences.
• $115,000 for services to youth in the county's Juvenile Detention Center, including counseling, education, health care, and nutrition.
• $126,000 for drug and alcohol assessment and treatment services for inmates at the Berks County Prison.
• $454,000 for 13 separate projects to make housing, sidewalks, public libraries, restrooms, and other facilities accessible to disabled persons. This will include the installation of more than 220 curb ramps throughout the county.
• $65,000 for the Berks Women in Crisis and $46,000 for the Salvation Army to help fund homeless shelters and programs that assist the homeless.
• $832,000 for water and sewer improvements at seven sites located throughout the county.

Maps

MAP 2 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.

MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority concentration levels.

MAP 4 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and unemployment levels.

MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.

MAP 6 is a map, sectioned by neighborhood, which depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.

MAP 7 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within one of the four neighborhoods indicated in MAP 6.

MAP 8 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within another of the four neighborhoods indicated in MAP 6.

MAP 9 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded project(s) from a street level vantage point; in addition, a table provides information about the project(s).