Hopewell Manor Senior Housing Community in Elverson Borough
Hopewell Manor is an innovative 71-unit senior community located at 58 East Main Street in Elverson Borough, Chester County. This recently-constructed project reflects a complex land development process that included the purchase of lands from a local fire company and from Elverson Borough, the realignment of a conservation area, the abandonment of a County easement, rezoning and other municipal assistance. The result is a senior housing development (open to persons 62 years of age and older), that includes 34 units that are available to households earning less than 60 percent of the area's median income, and 29 additional units for households earning less than 50 percent of that figure. The development includes units that offer Energy Star appliances, as well as a satellite branch of the Coatesville Area Senior Center.
Hopewell Manor is an example of a sustainable housing project that is located in a walkable community that also has access to local transit at reduced rates, shopping opportunities, recreation. It features the adaptive reuse of the Elverson Fire House into a community center. While Hopewell Manor is located on a 6.5 acre tract, its buildings only occupy approximately two acres and the undeveloped portions of the tract feature preserved woodlands and a walking trail along an abandoned railroad line.
Hopewell Manor is owned by Hopewell Village Associates, L.P. The project began when the housing market was strong, but the developer persevered through the economic downturn due to the need for affordable senior housing in the Twin Valley area and because of the availability of housing tax credits and federal stimulus funding from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and other funding sources.
Elverson Borough was very supportive and accommodating of this project, and worked in partnership with the developer, property owners, and with Chester County. The location of this senior housing community is also consistent with the Chester County Comprehensive Plan, Landscapes2, which designates this area as an Urban Landscape where reinvestment should be made.