The price is right: A new home for a little more than $100,000 with energy-efficient features that save more than 25 percent on utility costs; up to $8,000 in tax breaks with the purchase; and assistance with closing costs and a down payment.

And if the homeowner stays put for 15 years, nearly one-third of the mortgage will be canceled.

The public is invited to an open house Sunday to see that, in downtown Jeannette, this homeowner's dream is not too good to be true.

It is true.

"This is quite a house for the acquisition," said Jack Brown, director of Community Services for Westmoreland Community Action.

Featured during the open house from 1 to 4 p.m. will be four of the six homes that have been constructed in Phase I of the South Sixth Street Revitalization Project. Five were built in the 300 block of South Sixth Street, one is on nearby Bullitt Avenue and two have been sold.

The homes replaced a block of older housing that was razed more than a year ago in a revitalization plan that will include 25 single-family homes and 18 townhome rentals.

Phase II will begin this fall. The new neighborhood is planned around a cul-de-sac and a small park.

Diana Reitz, community development coordinator for Jeannette, predicts that the project will increase home ownership throughout the city.

It will encourage people to live here," she said.

That's a plus for many who already live in Jeannette and don't want to leave, Mr. Brown said.

"I can tell you this," he said, "that through all of our housing [programs] that we have done in Jeannette, we cannot get people to move out of Jeannette. So many people who live here want to stay."

The city has a long-standing sense of community. Grandparents and great-grandparents came to the town when it was booming with industry, and generations stayed, Mr. Brown said, "for many reasons."

One of them, he said, is the school sports.

"That's a big deal," he said. "The city shuts down on football nights, and the entire city is at that game."

Jeannette suffered economically when glass and other industries closed decades ago, and some downtown neighborhoods reflect that downturn. Now, Ms. Reitz said, "people are excited to bring back the city."

Revitalization has been ongoing in Jeannette. The new neighborhood, planned to be a community within a community, is part of Westmoreland Community Action's program, which has helped more than 400 families in the county to become homeowners.

The new houses in Jeannette are available to first-time buyers, people who haven't owned a home in three years and displaced homemakers. The price is based on a total household income of $30,000 to $56,000, and the purchase involves two mortgages.

"Say, for example, that the house is appraised at $100,000," Mr. Brown said. "Then we figure out a 30-year term mortgage for the family, based on 33 percent of gross income. Then we might say that you can afford only a $70,000 house. We will do a 30-year mortgage with low interest through a traditional lender. Then you will get a second deferred soft mortgage for the additional $30,000.

"The second mortgage is forgiven at the rate of one-fifteenth for 15 years. If you take care of the house and allow us to come in for inspection once a year for 15 years, you will essentially be buying a brand-new house for $70,000. So that's a pretty good deal."

Leaving the house sooner than 15 years, he added, would require sharing the net proceeds.

The Sixth Street homes are priced low because they are in a distressed area and are available through nonprofit agencies. They are factory-built modular units from New Era Building Systems in Strattanville, Pa.

"They are the wave of the future in new construction," said Joel Morrison, director of West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund, based in Greensburg.

Ms. Reitz and Mr. Morrison led a preview house tour last week to show off features of the new homes. Each has a living room, eat-in kitchen with all appliances, powder room and laundry room on the first floor. The upstairs has a full bathroom and three bedrooms, with a walk-in closet in the master bedroom. There's a full basement, covered front porch and a parking pad in the back yard. All lots are 44 by 127 feet.

Sunday's event will have a block party flair with free hot dogs, popcorn, face-painting and balloons. Jeannette Emergency Medical Services will offer free blood pressure screenings, and visitors can sign up to win gas cards and other prizes.

Homes Build Hope and the Westmoreland County Department of Planning and Development are part of the cooperative project for the Sixth Street Revitalization. For more information, go to www.AffordableHomesWestmoreland.com.

By Maryann Gogniat Eidemiller

The price is right: A new home for a little more than $100,000 with energy-efficient features that save more than 25 percent on utility costs; up to $8,000 in tax breaks with the purchase; and assistance with closing costs and a down payment.

And if the homeowner stays put for 15 years, nearly one-third of the mortgage will be canceled.

The public is invited to an open house Sunday to see that, in downtown Jeannette, this homeowner's dream is not too good to be true.

It is true.

"This is quite a house for the acquisition," said Jack Brown, director of Community Services for Westmoreland Community Action.

Featured during the open house from 1 to 4 p.m. will be four of the six homes that have been constructed in Phase I of the South Sixth Street Revitalization Project. Five were built in the 300 block of South Sixth Street, one is on nearby Bullitt Avenue and two have been sold.

The homes replaced a block of older housing that was razed more than a year ago in a revitalization plan that will include 25 single-family homes and 18 townhome rentals.

Phase II will begin this fall. The new neighborhood is planned around a cul-de-sac and a small park.

Diana Reitz, community development coordinator for Jeannette, predicts that the project will increase home ownership throughout the city.

It will encourage people to live here," she said.

That's a plus for many who already live in Jeannette and don't want to leave, Mr. Brown said.

"I can tell you this," he said, "that through all of our housing [programs] that we have done in Jeannette, we cannot get people to move out of Jeannette. So many people who live here want to stay."

The city has a long-standing sense of community. Grandparents and great-grandparents came to the town when it was booming with industry, and generations stayed, Mr. Brown said, "for many reasons."

One of them, he said, is the school sports.

"That's a big deal," he said. "The city shuts down on football nights, and the entire city is at that game."

Jeannette suffered economically when glass and other industries closed decades ago, and some downtown neighborhoods reflect that downturn. Now, Ms. Reitz said, "people are excited to bring back the city."

Revitalization has been ongoing in Jeannette. The new neighborhood, planned to be a community within a community, is part of Westmoreland Community Action's program, which has helped more than 400 families in the county to become homeowners.

The new houses in Jeannette are available to first-time buyers, people who haven't owned a home in three years and displaced homemakers. The price is based on a total household income of $30,000 to $56,000, and the purchase involves two mortgages.

"Say, for example, that the house is appraised at $100,000," Mr. Brown said. "Then we figure out a 30-year term mortgage for the family, based on 33 percent of gross income. Then we might say that you can afford only a $70,000 house. We will do a 30-year mortgage with low interest through a traditional lender. Then you will get a second deferred soft mortgage for the additional $30,000.

"The second mortgage is forgiven at the rate of one-fifteenth for 15 years. If you take care of the house and allow us to come in for inspection once a year for 15 years, you will essentially be buying a brand-new house for $70,000. So that's a pretty good deal."

Leaving the house sooner than 15 years, he added, would require sharing the net proceeds.

The Sixth Street homes are priced low because they are in a distressed area and are available through nonprofit agencies. They are factory-built modular units from New Era Building Systems in Strattanville, Pa.

"They are the wave of the future in new construction," said Joel Morrison, director of West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund, based in Greensburg.

Ms. Reitz and Mr. Morrison led a preview house tour last week to show off features of the new homes. Each has a living room, eat-in kitchen with all appliances, powder room and laundry room on the first floor. The upstairs has a full bathroom and three bedrooms, with a walk-in closet in the master bedroom. There's a full basement, covered front porch and a parking pad in the back yard. All lots are 44 by 127 feet.

Sunday's event will have a block party flair with free hot dogs, popcorn, face-painting and balloons. Jeannette Emergency Medical Services will offer free blood pressure screenings, and visitors can sign up to win gas cards and other prizes.

Homes Build Hope and the Westmoreland County Department of Planning and Development are part of the cooperative project for the Sixth Street Revitalization. For more information, go to www.AffordableHomesWestmoreland.com.