Tenants have already begun moving into new public housing at Centennial Place, the former Steel City Terrace in Farrell.

Janisha Thomas, 25, and her three boys moved into their Spearman Avenue home on May 14. They were among the first Mercer County Housing Authority tenants to move into the new stand-alone, duplex and triplex buildings.

Before Ms. Thomas' family could call the three-bedroom duplex home, she had to attend life skills classes. The classes teach tenants such skills as budgeting and house maintenance. The housing authority also requires applicants to get a credit and criminal background check, and expect tenants to attend monthly meetings geared toward residents.