Home expo offers plenty of information
CRANBERRY TWP — The township has partnered with the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Butler County to is host its first Home and Community Expo on Wednesday that will feature programs for homeowners, including home and social services.
The free exposition was initially conceived as a way to tell residents about the county housing authority's services to help distressed homeowners survive the economic recession.
John Trant, the township's chief strategic planning officer, said the focus of the event has expanded to include information related to home, career and community-building services available from other community groups.
"Area residents will have a wealth of resources available to them," said Trant. "There was huge interest from vendors. We were initially hoping for 75, and now, where over 100.
"Just about every square inch of space in the municipal center will be occupied."
The county housing authority will offer information on grants to make properties accessible to disabled residents, as well as information on a variety of senior citizen residence and family housing community opportunities, emergency and home repair programs, housing for the homeless and other initiatives to help families become self-sufficient.
"Partnering with the housing authority is one way Cranberry can raise awareness here about the community programs and services available to local residents," said Dick Hadley, chairman of the township board of supervisors.
"A strong focus on housing, community, economic development and enhancing our sense of community are important objectives of the Cranberry Plan, the long-range plan, we adopted earlier this year."
Other areas of homeowners' interests to be represented include real estate companies, home improvement contractors, financial services, health organizations, educational institutions and food service businesses as well as municipal and county governmental agency representatives.
Some of the informational services available will feature first time homebuyer grant programs, affordable apartment living opportunities for older residents, housing programs for veterans, matching grant savings accounts, mortgage assistance programs, United Way service agencies, child care services, utility assistance programs, smoke and carbon monoxide detector installation programs, educational and training programs, legal and financial services and property maintenance and improvement services.
Many exhibitors will have door prizes which include a flat-screen television, a digital home thermostat, and a variety of instructional services.
IF YOU'RE GOING
WHAT: Cranberry Township Home and Community Expo
WHEN: 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday
WHERE: Cranberry Municipal Center, 2525 Rochester Road
COST: Free.
INFO: See: www.cranberrytownship.org/homeexpo
