Officials say $500,000 dollars is in talks to fund the planning for the transformation of the Oakhurst and Coopersdale communities. $100,000 of it they say is going towards immediate action for much needed facilities. The rest going towards long term planning. Alberts says the housing authority will have to compete for the transformation funding, which is expected to be tens of millions of dollars. This following state representative Frank Burns calling on 'HUD' to discuss the impacts their required equity plan could have on the possible wholesale redevelopment of local communities.

“Anything is possible right now. We could really think of some big ideas, you know, go big. It could be transforming the public housing that’s here. It could also be helping to assist in rehab properties.” says Michael Alberts, of the Johnstown Housing Authority. He says they are planning to have an application for the grant money complete in the next couple of weeks. He says to expect the wheels to be turning in the planning phase by next year. After the immediate planning is finished, Alberts says the physical changes will start. He says a separate relocation plan would be put in place for people who live in buildings set to be changed.

Residents presented multiple ideas in the meeting including “Something where they’re able to come in and do something like extra tutoring for them for after school programs, somebody to help them with their homework. Just something to keep them active and to keep them away from street violence, and wanting to do wrong when, you know, you can do right.” says local, Lashae Tinch. Some other projects mentioned were nature trails, bike sharing, a community pool, and center.

State Representative Frank Burns says these projects “affect way more than just the residents that live in these communities.” “I just think that the people outside the community of Coopersdale, Prospect, and Oakhurst should have a voice and know what’s going on. That money comes with a lot of strings attached to it. The Biden administration had put certain policies in place. When you take that money, you have to meet certain goals.” he says.

Alberts says if everything goes as planned, people can expect to see some big physical changes in the next couple of years.