GREENE TOWNSHIP, PA News (9/11/2024) – The Franklin County Commissioners have issued a formal statement in response to community concerns surrounding a proposed transitional housing facility for unaccompanied immigrant children at the former Scotland School for Veterans Children. The plan involves adapting the Scotland Campus to house minors who are in U.S. custody, as part of a federal program managed by several federal agencies.
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In their statement, the commissioners emphasized that Franklin County had no involvement in the sale of the Scotland Campus property, nor in the operations of its new owners. They clarified that all decisions related to zoning and permitting fall under the jurisdiction of Greene Township, where the campus is located.
While distancing themselves from the project, the commissioners expressed significant concern about the potential impact on Franklin County, particularly the strain on local infrastructure and services. They highlighted that the proposed facility could bring an influx of support staff and their families to the area, exacerbating an already tight housing market.
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“Franklin County is already experiencing a housing shortage,” the commissioners stated. “Affordable workforce housing and quality rental options are at a premium. The addition of several thousand new residents at one time would only burden and stress the housing market even more.”
The statement also pointed to the challenges an increased population would pose to basic services like water, sewer, and broadband, as well as public safety and health care systems. They noted the potential strain on school systems, child care services, and first responders, including fire departments, EMS, and police.
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Despite these concerns, the commissioners acknowledged that the project is a federal initiative and urged residents to direct their concerns to their federal representatives, including Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman, and Congressman John Joyce. They also voiced support for the Greene Township Supervisors, who are responsible for adhering to local policies and regulations regarding the project.
The Scotland Campus, formerly the Scotland School for Veterans Children, has faced financial difficulties in recent years. Allegations have surfaced that the campus failed to pay 21 employees for a four-month period between December 2022 and April 2023, during which time the campus reportedly ceased operations.
Recent developments suggest that the current owners of Scotland Campus may be looking to sell or lease the property to a company responding to a federal Request for Proposal (RFP). The RFP, issued by the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies, seeks contractors to provide transitional services to unaccompanied minors arriving in the United States, some of whom may be seeking to reunite with family members or guardians.
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The proposal to repurpose the Scotland Campus has prompted widespread debate in the local community, with many residents raising concerns about the potential impact on the area’s housing, services, and infrastructure. The Franklin County Commissioners, while not directly involved, have voiced their apprehensions about the project and its long-term effects on the county.
Story by multiple RFHC contributors
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