Bush House Hotel has partnered with the Quakertown Ministerium to open a social service resource center at its property. It will be available to both the residents of the rooming house and the greater Quakertown community.

The collaboration may put an end to ongoing controversy surrounding the property. Over the course of its history, it has been characterized both as a blighted property worthy of removal and a vital haven for needy Bucks County residents.

The space will be donated to local agencies rent-free. The office is expected to open its doors this month. Bush House Hotel management will also donate $2,000 to the ministerium.

For over 85 years, the Bush House has provided low-income housing in Quakertown. In the past several years, the property has been extensively renovated, including updates to residents’ rooms, communal spaces, and bathrooms.

The hotel has more than 100 fully furnished rooms that are fully occupied most weeks due to the flexible weekly rent.

The renovations also turned one of the previously rented rooms into office space that will be used by local organizations to offer case management services and other resources.

“Because of the pandemic, some agencies were forced to close or scale down their Upper Bucks services and will now have more of a presence in the area because of the office space next to the Bush House,” said Rev. Denise Fry, MSW, President of The Quakertown Ministerium.