A housing complex for low-income, elderly residents in Cambria County is one step closer to breaking ground.

Thursday morning, Cambria County Commissioners approved a $50,000 Redevelopment Authority loan for Roxbury Place, a new 43-unit housing complex at the site of the former Roxbury School in Johnstown.

“With the demolition of Roxbury School being blighted and vacant for so many years, this was a huge win for Roxbury and the city of Johnstown and the developers,” said Renee Daly, Johnstown Community and Economic Development Director.

The city of Johnstown also loaned the developer, Buckeye Community Hope Foundation, $50,000 from HOME funds to build one of the units.

These local match funds are required through the tax credit program.

“What this influx of local money did, is assisted the developers in securing funds from the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program and other funding sources,” said Larry Custer, the executive director of the Cambria County Redevelopment Authority.

County and city officials said tearing down the former school, which has been vacant for more than 20 years, will help revitalize the area. Others said Johnstown doesn’t need any more low-income housing.

Cambria County Area Agency on Aging Administrator Veil Griffith said one-third of the country’s population consists of older adults. Ho

“We do have a much larger population of seniors and older adults, but most of those people own their own homes. So adding another 43 units will depress the already weak real estate market that we have,” Griffith said.

The complex is not specifically for Section 8 housing, however Section 8 vouchers will be accepted.

Developers expect to close the sale and break ground mid-October.

“It’s over a $9 million project, so it will be a huge influx that has not been seen in the city of Johnstown for over 15 years,” Daly said.

The finished complex is set to open October 2018.