May 26, 2002 By Amy Karpinsky 3 min read

The director of the federal Office of Community Services said he was “awestruck” when he toured the newest Fayette County Community Action Agency elderly housing site in Uniontown. Clarence H. Carter was the featured speaker during a grand opening ceremony of Meadow Heights Apartments at 144 N. Beeson Ave. The four-story independent-living apartment complex includes a lobby, library/workout room and a community room in addition to the 60-apartment units.

Construction of the 44,775-square-foot building was funded through various sources, including community development block grant (CDBG) funds.

With the exception of one unit that will house the building manager, the remaining 59 units contain a dining/living room area, kitchen, bedroom, closet and bathroom. Some of the apartments are handicapped accessible and all are handicapped-adaptable. All contain a refrigerator and stove.

Each unfurnished apartment contains 521 square feet of living space. They also contain emergency call buttons in the bathroom and bedroom areas of the apartments that activate a light outside the door in the hallway. When pulled, a switchboard in the office lights up so that the exact site of the problem can be detected. The rental complex, which will house people 62 and over, is located on the same street as the city police and fire department.

Carter, a Pittsburgh native, said a couple months ago he asked to see the best and brightest of Community Action and was told some of the best work was being done in his native state of Pennsylvania.

He said the way the local Community Action has created a continuum of services is “truly the essence of Community Action.” Carter provides leadership for the organization of federal government responsible for providing community based support services for low-income individuals. The $6 billion agency administers the Community Services Block Grant, the Social Services Block Grant, the Community Economic Development Program the Individual Development Account Program and the Community Food and Nutrition Program.

President George W. Bush appointed him on June 25, 2001.

Jim Stark, executive direction of Community Action, said elderly housing is vital for the area.

He said 20 percent of the population of the greater Uniontown area is 65 or older. Of that figure, he said half are 75 or older and the faster growing segment of the population is 80 or older.

Applications were first taken at the end of March, upon completion of construction, and Stark said vacancies are still available.

Sheryl Pepiot of Community Action said there are laundry facilities on the second, third and fourth floors and additional landscaping will be done at the site. Pepiot said benches and flower urns will be placed outside and small trees will be planted.

All residents of the campus will have access to support services to maintain their lifestyles. The support services that are offered include laundry, housekeeping, care management, home-help services and financial management services.

The residents can also utilize existing programs and services such as the Uniontown Senior Citizens Center, Community Medical Services and Community Dental services, all located within walking distance.

Joan Tracy, the chairman of the Community Action Board, said the campus is unique not only to Fayette County, but to the region as well. She said it will provide affordable housing for people 62 and older. She said it was fitting to but the ribbon on the project during Community Action and Older Americans Month.

After brief remarks, a group of Community Action officials gathered in front of the building to symbolically cut the big red ribbon.