Mission Statement

West Reading Elm Street is a partnership of residents, business leaders and government officials dedicated to revitalizing West Reading’s older neighborhoods through community development programs that create new home owners, modernize the housing stock, beautify the streetscape, improve safety and involve volunteers.

Vision Statement

Ten Points will be a neighborhood of choices and opportunities with a stable population of proud, mixed-income residents living in well-maintained mostly owner-occupied homes. Informed residents will be active in a variety of activities that improve the quality of life in the community. It will be attractive, safe, clean and within easy walking distance to a vibrant cosmopolitan hub, recreational activities for all life stages, regional cultural facilities, major employers and access to preserved natural river parkland.

About West Reading Elm Street

West Reading Elm Street was created in 2005 and is one of twenty-seven Elm Street organizations created by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to address issues of blight and crime in borderline residential neighborhoods that surround Main Street business districts. West Reading Elm Street works with a Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) made up of local residents to build on community assets and mitigate liabilities by implementing a Five-Year Revitalization strategy. Currently, Elm Street is working in the Ten Points neighborhood in West Reading. We are an IRS 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.

What Programs and Services does Elm Street Offer?

Elm Street programs and services are offered only in the Ten Points neighborhood. Income and other restrictions may apply.

1. Elm Street Home Ownership Program (ESHOP) is a down payment assistance program providing up to 20% of the purchase price for those buying in the Ten Points area. ESHOP is interest free and there are no monthly payments as long as the owner lives in the property.
2. Elm Street Property Rehabilitation Program provides up to $20,000 to help homeowners and home buyers correct code violations, modernize their homes and replace major systems such as roofs or heating systems. The loan is interest free and there are no monthly payments as long as the owner lives in the property.  Principal is reduced 10% a year so after ten years it becomes a grant.
3. Elm Street Façade Improvement Program provides a grant up to $3,000 for exterior improvements such as painting, new windows, and landscaping.
4. Tool-Lending Library offers “occasional” tools for plumbing, landscaping, masonry, electrical and carpentry work which Ten Points residents can borrow at no cost for minor repairs and maintenance.
5. Special Events are offered several times a year such as neighborhood Block Parties, Halloween Decorating Contests, and Holiday Get Together events to help build cohesiveness and allow residents the opportunity to mingle and get to know one another so they can work together to build a more civil society.
6. Special Projects such as neighborhood clean-ups, landscaping, mural painting and planting street flower containers are planned and conducted by various sub-committees of the Elm Street Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) to beautify and improve the neighborhood.
7. Street Improvements are recommended to Borough Council after the NAC conducts various studies to document existing problems. Elm Street is able to leverage local funds ten-to-one to repave streets, install new curbs and sidewalks, upgrade street lights, plant trees, etc.

 What are the Benefits of the Elm Street?

	Improved tax base as property values increase.
	Improved physical appearance.
	Health and safety are enhanced.
	Homeownership opportunities are created:
	Affordable housing is created and maintained.
	Community becomes more involved and able to address social issues.
	Increased use of local products and services.
	Resources are targeted for maximum effect.
	Promotes self-help philosophy: Program is resident-led and locally controlled.
	Reduces risk factors for insurance companies and financial institutions.
	Partnership interaction between residents, government and business community

Neighborhood Action Committee Members

	Bryce Matthews, Chair - Elm Street Property Owner
	Aimee Adams - Elm Street Resident
	Robin Ambrosiani - Elm Street Resident
	Carl Garman - Elm Street Resident
	Collette A. Joyal - Elm Street Resident
	Jay Kupiszewski - Elm Street Resident
	Brandy Lorah - Elm Street Resident
	Suzanne Thompson - Elm Street Resident
	John Woodward - Third and Spruce Café

West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation Board

	Shane J. Keller, President - Mayor, Borough of West Reading
	Mark Dougherty, Vice President - Penn Avenue Dental
	Robin Horman, Secretary - LiliBea's
	Margaret M. Bligh, Treasurer - The Reading Hospital and Medical Center
	Richard Sichler, Borough Manager - Borough of West Reading
	Deborah Hutcheson - Charles Hutcheson Fine Jewelry
	Rebecca J. Doubek - Firefly on Penn
	Philip Wert - West Reading Borough Council
	John C. Woodward - Third & Spruce Cafe

Neighborhood Action Committee Meeting Schedule

Elm Street Neighborhood Advisory Committee Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30PM in the West Reading Borough Hall - 500 Chestnut Street

Thursday, December 20, 2012

District Map

Click on the map below to download a copy of the Elm Street District Map.  Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Elm Street Happenings Newsletter

Click here to read the monthly Elm Street Happenings Newsletter. 

Elm Street Merchandise

West Reading Elm Street and West Reading Elm Street Ten Points Neighborhood logo merchandise is now available to purchase.  Don't forget to check out our new merchandise page. 

West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation
500 Chestnut Street
West Reading, PA 19611
610.685.8854 - 610.685.8845
Fax 610.685.9061
info@wrcrf.org

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