Duane Hershberger, Executive Director Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity, talks about the planned development along Scott St. in Williamsport where development of 6 houses will start in the spring of 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity is going to build six single-family homes and a pocket park on a lot along Scott Street with a groundbreaking set for the spring.

“We are excited about this,” said Duane Hershberger, the organization’s executive director.

The groundbreaking will kick off the first two homes on the 640-foot parcel. The first two houses will be what are called “faith-builds,” he said.

“We are very grateful for all of the community partners,” Hershberger said standing at the empty site.

Habitat will ask various congregations and denominations to participate.

This is being organized by Tammey Aichner, executive director of the United Churches of Lycoming County.

The second house will be a complete “woman-build,” Hershberger said.

The organization will solicit the interest of civic organizations and colleges to find women to participate in the construction, he said.

The remaining house builds will either be faith-based or women-builds, he said.

The pocket park, closest to Oliver Street, will be a place where people can recreate, relax on benches or play a game of chess.

The prospective homeowners will have to put sweat equity into the properties. They will be responsible for paying the mortgage and taxes. The system operates under a 30-year mortgage.

The house designs will be fully accessible and without basements. Efforts will be made to make them energy efficient and may include solar panel options if possible.

Habitat has at least 10 applicants who qualify financially who have expressed a desire to take part in the home ownership program.

Habitat has signed two agreements to acquire the property on Scott Street for $5,000 and will be responsible for all expenses, including subdivision and zoning.

The Williamsport Redevelopment Authority is responsible for the property, but a memorandum of understanding calls for the city to take care of lawn and snow removal.

A clause exists in the agreement stating that the project has to be completed within five years, or it reverts back to the authority.

The city is using Community Housing Development Organization, $70,000 per year for five years, including $200,000 of HOME funds.

“We aim to have 10 homes built within the next five years,” Hershberger said.

The pocket park at the Scott Street site may be able to become a reality by incorporating the expertise of local gardening and urban outdoor space experts, he said.

“We want to have several attractive benches,” he said.

For that lofty goal of 10 homes in five years the organization has 90% of the funding. It also is putting four homes along Clark Street in South Williamsport, as it works closely with the SEDA-Council of Governments on that project.

It also recently received $250,000 courtesy of the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania.