Monday, August 17, 2020

Pottstown, Montco Get $750K for Housing Efforts

Blogger's Note: The following was provided in a press release from the office of state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-146th Dist. 

Pottstown and Montgomery County will benefit from $750,000 in grants from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency that will be used for blight remediation, housing counseling and homelessness.

Funding will go to Pottstown Borough Land Bank, Genesis Housing Corp. and the Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Development. 

It was awarded through the PHFA board in cooperation with Low Income Housing Tax Credits and Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement, according to a press release from state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-146th Dist.

“A safe, loving home is a big part of someone and can be life-changing,” Ciresi said. “I am so happy with this funding because it goes directly to improving the lives of so many local residents who are in need. I express my deepest appreciation to all who helped bring this funding to the 146th.”

The breakdown for the local funding is as follows:
  • Pottstown Borough Land Bank: $200,000 to help acquire five properties for resale to developers for rehabilitation for owner-occupied housing. At least two of the five properties will be transferred to developers for rehab and resale to households with incomes between 80 percent and 120 percent of the county area median income. The Land Bank will also use PHARE funds to provide grants up to $10,000 for single system critical repairs to eight households with less than 50 percent of the county area median income.
  • Genesis Housing Corp.: $50,000 to increase housing counseling staff to better serve the community. The funds will be used to add a staff person, provide pay raises for existing staff and support staff training.
  • Montgomery County Department of Housing & Community Development: $500,000 to help end and prevent homelessness in the county. The organization’s mission is to make the experience of homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring. PHARE funds will support expansion of Rapid Re-Housing, three evidence-informed Homelessness Prevention models, and Equitable Community Engagement.
More information about this funding is available by contacting Ciresi’s office at 484-200-8265.

No comments:

Post a Comment