Hermitage city employees have taken phone calls over the years from senior citizens who are thinking about moving out of their homes, but want to stay in Hermitage.

Census figures show the city has a "significant" number of seniors in town, said City Manager Gary Hinkson.

The city posted a total population of 16,157 in the 2000 census. There were 3,808 people aged 65 and over -- 24 percent of the city's population -- and 5,521 people aged 50 and over, 34 percent of the total.

Based on that evidence, city commissioners have joined Mercer County Housing Authority to see if there is a need for senior housing, and how that need can be met.

The authority has agreed to fund a marketing study on Hermitage and the surrounding area, said authority Executive Director L. DeWitt Boosel.

The authority has received two proposals from firms interested in conducting the study: Barone, Murtha and Shonberg of Pittsburgh, $10,750, and S. Patz and Associates of Herndon, Va., $6,500.

The authority is reviewing the proposals and Boosel told the authority board Wednesday he would report back when someone is hired.

Boosel said he believes there a need for senior housing in the area, but added, "It's really hard to get that decision until we've got a report."

The study would also show the extent of the need and the possible kind and size of a development and propose building sites, Hinkson said.

Should a development project be initiated, the authority would seek money for it and put up some of its own funds, Hinkson said. The commissioners would be willing to put up some of the city's annual Community Development Block Grant for the project, he said.

Such a project could free up some low-cost housing as seniors move from homes to senior units, but the city would not be able to reserve any senior housing units for its residents, Hinkson said.