Willow Grove Community Development Corporation

Senior nutrition programs - we offer 2 nutrition programs for very low- income persons over age 60 serving about 340 persons in 2024. Both programs provide nutrition education and additional services. We distribute nearly 8 tons of food annually through the senior food box program, which offers monthly usda food boxes and cheese. The food is supplemented by additional donated food, goods, and social services. We also distribute farmers' market nutrition vouchers, which provide fresh produce for qualified seniors. We are an active member of montgomery county anti-hunger network.

Volunteer income tax assistance (vita) program - we offer income tax assistance and e-filing for low-income households with income under 65,000. Volunteers train through irs to serve as greeters, intake interviewers, tax preparers, quality reviewers, and site coordinators. During 2023, 415 tax returns were prepared by 14 certified volunteers. The office also offers financial education and asset-building activities, such as classes for financial education, credit, mortgages, and home buyer education. We are active members of montgomery county partners for homeownership, and participate in the annual montgomery county housing fair geared toward first-time buyers. For 2020 and 2021 tax years the number of tax returns completed exceeded 500 each year. For the 2022 tax year the number of returns were 435. For the 2023 tax year the number of returns were 415. For 2024 tax year is still in process, and the number of returns should be similar to 2023 and 2022.

Bridging the gap in upper moreland township and eastern montgomery county: for 2023-2025, wgcdc was awarded arpa funding from upper moreland township and montgomery county for the purpose of acquiring (6) additional affordable housing units to address the shortage of affordable housing for families and individuals in eastern montgomery county. In 2023 wgcdc acquired four additional properties through this program. Three of the properties are in upper morland township and one is in the borough of ambler. All of the new units are occupied and leased at this time resulting in a current 100% occupancy rate. We are looking to acquire the 2 remaining properties for the program this year. Additionally, in 2024 upper moreland township has provided additional funding support for the purpose of acquiring a fourth property in upper moreland. We hope to do that in 2025 as well. In terms of the first time homebuyer portion of the program, wgcdc to date has identified one family to participate in its first time homebuyer program for 2024 and will be increasing its efforts to identify and cultivate more participants for 2024 and 2025, in collaboration with, and support from, pnc foundation, health spark foundation and upper moreland township. Property renovations: wgcdc made significant renovations for multiple units in 2024, due to age and long-time occupancy. Several longtime residents moved out in 2024 and their units were updated with new kitchens and updated bathrooms and other enhancements to make them suitable for the new families to occupy. All of the renovated units have been leased to date as well. Wgcdc also replaced five roofs, and five hvac systems, on 12 different properties, in abington township through funding support provided by abington township. As a subrecipient of their community development block grant funding, which allows wgcdc is able to maintain the major systems on its abington properties to keep them suitable for long term affordable housing. Willow grove cdc is pleased to maintain a long-term partnership with abington township to accomplish mutually beneficial goals and objectives for low- to-moderate income individuals and families in abington.