The Reading Housing Authority has been selected to receive a $13,500 grant to improve safety and prevent property losses.
The authority said the grant, awarded by the Housing and Redevelopment Insurance Exchange, will fund upgrades to four elevator security cameras in three of the authority’s high-rise communities: Franklin Tower, 835 Franklin St.; Hubert Apartments, 125 N. 10th St.; and Kennedy Towers, 300 S. Fourth St.
“This award will allow RHA to upgrade four additional elevator cameras in our center city properties, completing all high-rise elevators with upgraded cameras,” Jon Runkle, the authority’s director of administration, said in a statement.
This is the second consecutive year the authority has been recognized by the exchange for its commitment to residents and employees’ safety.
Last year’s exchange-funded project upgraded elevator cameras at Rhodes and Eisenhower apartment towers at 815 and 835 Franklin St.
Those improvements immediately enhanced the agency’s ability to identify and address incidents within the buildings, providing a stronger sense of security for residents, staff, and visitors, officials said.
The upcoming upgrades will complete the modernization of all high-rise elevator cameras across the authority’s center city campus, officials said, enhancing security for nearly 300 residents, most of whom are older adults and those with disabilities.
The new cameras will replace aging cameras that struggle with lighting transitions and low image quality, officials said, noting the sharper, high-definition footage provided by the upgrades can assist law enforcement and property management in investigating safety concerns and maintaining peaceful communities.
The Hubert Apartments at 125 N. 10th St. will receive security upgrades by the Reading Housing Authority. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Officials said the grant-funded improvements align with the authority’s long-term strategic goal to enhance resident safety through collaboration with local law enforcement, proactive technology upgrades and responsive management practices.
The authority continues to pursue every opportunity to ensure that its communities remain places where residents can live securely, with peace of mind and pride in their homes, officials said.
The grant award is being presented by the exchange at the Pennsylvania Association of Housing and Redevelopment Agencies’ annual conference this week at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square in Lancaster.
The nonprofit insurance carrier is licensed by the state to insure governmental entities, including authorities.
Its Safety Improvements grants are exclusively available to organizations insured by the exchange.
Successful applicants must demonstrate a well-researched need and a solid plan to improve safety.
Runkle said the award was a true team effort.
“I want to thank everyone who contributed to the research and documentation that made this possible,” he said.