“It’s the gentlemen behind me that need the loudest round of applause.”

That’s what state Rep. Jamie Flick, R-South Williamsport, of the 83rd House District of Lycoming and Union counties, said in reference to building trades students attending Pennsylvania College of Technology who in partnership with Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity constructed a house on a vacant lot at 508 5th Ave.

Joining Flick were Mayor Derek Slaughter, City Councilman Jonah Milliken, also serving as the Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity board chair, and Lycoming County Commissioner Mark Mussina.

At the conference, Milliken recognized the Habitat team.

“You guys work so incredibly hard,” Milliken said. “I appreciate everything that you do.”

Milliken also gave thanks to the state Department of Community and Economic Development and for highlighting the importance of safe, affordable housing across the Commonwealth.

“This home represents much more than a construction project,” Milliken said.

It shows what is possible when state leadership, local partners, volunteers and future homeowners work together for a shared goal, he added.

“Housing is foundational,” Milliken said, adding it “supports family stability, economic opportunity and stronger neighborhoods.” He expressed encouragement with the action plan as it brings renewed attention to the housing affordability challenge and safer communities such as what is happening in the city with these kinds of initiatives and investment.

“We’re proud that this project can serve as a local example of how partnerships help turn those goals into real homes for real families,” he said.

At Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity, every home the organization builds is a “partnership,” Milliken said.

Habitat homeowners complete financial education, contributing hundreds of hours to help build homes alongside volunteers and commit to an affordable mortgage that provides long-term stability for their families.

Housing is more than a roof over someone’s head, Milliken stressed. “It’s the foundation for family stability, opportunity and stronger communities.”

“Nowadays in the political climate … when we talk about policy the two things we hear the most is we talk about child care and we talk about affordable housing,” Mussina said. “You go to a lot of places where they talk about and you don’t often see a lot of action,” he said.

A lot of it is because the world is more complex, he added. “With costs, there is not one entity that can afford the cost but we are fortunate here, when we get the strategic partnership … obviously with Habitat for Humanity everywhere, but we are so blessed here to have Penn College and the opportunities that not only that we bring to them but that they bring to the community,” he said.

“The more we can capitalize on opportunities like that the better our community is,” Mussina said.

Slaughter recognized this was another example of the continuing partnership between DCED and the city.

“It’s a real pleasure to be here to celebrate something truly meaningful for our community,” Slaughter said.

He added his appreciation to what the Penn College students accomplished with the design and build and noted how the project also shows what is possible when partners come together with a common goal.

He observed how the county and city teams stepped up in important ways and Habitat continues to be an incredible force in addressing housing needs in the community.

“When we align our efforts like this we can do more than any one group can do alone,” he said.

He cited the housing issue as one of the top challenges facing the Commonwealth.

“We all know that access to safe, affordable housing is one of the biggest challenges facing communities across Pennsylvanian and around the country.”

Projects like this “speak directly to those challenges,” he said, adding how they are “reflecting on the kind of initiatives that are in the governor’s housing action plan.” It is a part of the plan to create more opportunities, build stronger neighborhoods and ensuring that more families have a place to call home, he added.

“Today, is a reminder that real progress happens at the local levels, in partnerships, through education and through a shared belief that everyone deserves a safe place to live,” Slaughter said.