HARRISBURG – Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) announced $2.48 million will be awarded to several Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) applicants in Beaver, Butler and Lawrence counties.
“The PHARE Fund is a vital funding source that helps our organizations and local government entities improve our local infrastructure; offer informational and educational opportunities related to housing; and better assist vulnerable communities,” said Vogel. “As someone who has fought hard to enhance this fund, I am pleased to see so many community projects benefit from it.”
Beaver County
The County of Beaver was awarded $100,000 for its Home Modification Program which be used to help provide home modifications for households with mobility and/or safety challenges; and $100,000 to go toward its Rental/Utility Assistance program.
The Cornerstone of Beaver County was awarded $100,000 to go toward operations for its Men’s Shelter.
The Women’s Center of Beaver County was awarded $100,000 to go towards its Homeless Prevention for Survivors of Violence project which includes the provision of intensive case management and support for vulnerable individuals and families living in emergency shelter who are at risk of becoming chronically homeless and the provision of direct financial assistance, such as rent and utility assistance, to eliminate barriers to obtaining safe, stable housing.
The Salvation Army was awarded $150,000 for its Beaver County Housing Homelessness Assistance Program, specifically assist Beaver County households in obtaining and maintaining permanent housing, including those currently involved in ESG, RRH, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing programs. Additionally, it will allow them to engage landlords to help address the lack of affordable housing options in the county.
Harbor Point Housing, Inc. was awarded $200,000 for part 2 of the Sheridan Rehabilitation Project which would rehab the six remaining apartments in the Beaver Falls apartment building; rehab the common areas; a new HVAC system and the outside walkway; and by re-point and repaint the east side of the building.
Housing Opportunities of Beaver County was awarded $200,000 for its Restoring Communities: Housing, Workforce, and Opportunities, specifically training underserved young adults in construction and including the rehabilitation of one duplex and one single-family home in Aliquippa.
Butler County
The County of Butler was awarded $80,000 for its First Time Home Buyer Down Payment Closing Cost Assistance Program which will match a first-time homebuyer dollar for dollar toward their closing costs or downpayment of a new home in the county up to $5,000.
Lawrence County
The Lawrence County Department of Planning and Community Development was awarded $200,000 for its Countywide Housing Rehabilitation and Blight Removal Program.
The Redevelopment Authority of Lawrence County was awarded $400,000 for the Countywide Housing Rehabilitation and Blight Removal Program.
Joint County
NeighborWorks Western Pennsylvania was awarded $150,000 to offer expanded and enhanced homeownership counseling education. Specifically, they will offer pre-purchase counseling and education to buyers at all stages of purchase readiness and will expand post-purchase counseling and education services, providing support for those experiencing mortgage delinquency, default and foreclosure as well as serving stable homeowners seeking to maintain, improve, or renovate their properties. This will benefit Allegheny and Beaver counties.
The Housing Opportunities of Beaver County was awarded $100,000 for its Housing Opportunity Fund: Emergency Repair Track grants program which is a targeted initiative to stabilize and preserve homeownership in Beaver and Lawrence counties.
Mercer County Housing Authority was awarded $500,000 for its Veterans Housing Development Center project which will provide 10 units of affordable housing – six transitional and four long-term rentals, for homeless and at-risk veterans in Mercer and Lawrence Counties.
Catapult Greater Pittsburgh was awarded $100,000 to growing and maintaining black generational housing equity in Allegheny County. Specifically, they will provide low- and moderate-income new homebuyers and existing low-income homeowners with comprehensive trauma-informed financial education. With a specific focus on the Revitalizing Neighborhoods and Increasing Homeownership initiative, the Organization has access to RNIH to Beaver County. They will also grow its Equity Protection Division which includes a Tangled Title Clinic and Home Repair program for existing low-income homeowners.
CONTACT: Abby Chiumento, 717-787-3076