Libera Receives $1,200,000 AHP Award from FHLBank of Pittsburgh for Transitional Housing Project for Young Women in WV

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Morgantown, WV, December 13, 2024 -- Libera will receive $1,200,000 from the FHLBank Affordable Housing Program (AHP) Award to purchase and renovate a building in Morgantown to provide transitional housing and wraparound support services to young women in West Virginia.  

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On December 12, 2024, the Board of Directors (Board) of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank) approved $50.8 million in award grants under FHLBank’s Affordable Housing Program (AHP) and $30.0 million through its voluntary housing grant initiative. The $30.0 million voluntary housing grant initiative total includes an additional $12 million that the Board approved beyond the initial $18 million that was announced at round opening. The grants will help finance 73 housing projects, creating 1,581 homes for very low-, low- and moderate-income individuals and families.

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Libera is proud to be one of the few West Virginia agencies receiving grant funding through FHLBank’s AHP initiative. Libera was awarded $1,200,000, which will be used to purchase and renovate the building at 1000 Stewartstown Rd, Morgantown. Renovations will be conducted by March-Westin, and the project team hopes to have renovations completed by the end of 2025. Once completed, Libera will use the building to provide transitional housing to 8 at-risk young women who have been impacted by the foster care system, juvenile justice system, and/or other young women at-risk of homelessness.  

Not only will Libera use this building to provide much needed affordable housing, but it will serve as a community center for Libera to provide support programs and wraparound services to vulnerable youth in the community and living at the building. These additional services will include employment, counseling, job training, mentoring, peer support groups and connection to resources. 

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“We are so excited to have our project funded by the FHLBank of Pittsburgh. This building will provide much needed support and affordable housing to young women in need in our community and in WV. We are grateful to FHLBank and all of the partners we’re working with to make this project happen in Morgantown,” said Kelsey Riggi, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Libera.

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Libera will use the majority of the grant award to complete renovations on the building and is actively working to raise additional funds needed to complete the purchase of 1000 Stewartstown Rd. Individuals or businesses interested in contributing to their fundraising campaign can donate online at https://givebutter.com/xmHGoT or by mailing a check to 8 Suburban Ct, Morgantown, WV 26505. Any questions about this project can be directed to kelsey@liberawv.com. 

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FHLBank Pittsburgh provides reliable funding and liquidity to its member financial institutions, which include commercial and savings banks, community development financial institutions, credit unions and insurance companies in Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. FHLBank products and resources help support community lending, housing and economic development. As one of 11 Federal Home Loan Banks established by Congress, FHLBank has been an integral and reliable part of the financial system since 1932. Learn more by visiting www.fhlbank-pgh.com.

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Libera, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building brighter futures for youth and young women in West Virginia. Founded in 2015, Libera has traveled across the state listening to girls’ stories, connecting them to resources and helping them find hope. Libera’s programs meet girls where they are and provide access to mentorship, education, and employment opportunities. Learn more by visiting www.liberawv.com. 

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