Senator Argall announces HOME grant award for Schuylkill County

HARRISBURG – Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks) has announced that Schuylkill County has been awarded a HOME Program grant in the amount of $471,622 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development.

The funding will be used to create the Schuylkill County Weatherization Deferral Program, which will provide needed housing repairs and energy efficient measures to low income households.  This is a pilot program created to provide additional financial assistance to homeowners who do not meet eligibility requirements for the Weatherization Program.  The program will be administered by Schuylkill Community Action, which is one of only four agencies in the Commonwealth selected to participate.

“Schuylkill County has some of the oldest housing stock in Pennsylvania.  Our lower income and fixed income elderly residents often do not have the finances needed to fix serious health and safety hazards in their homes.  This program will provide essential repair assistance to our neighbors who are in the most need,” said Argall.  “Investing resources in a home will prevent another abandoned building that needs to be demolished in a few years.  It is a win for everyone,” he noted.

“This is another great tool to help in the fight against blight in our county.  This program will furnish the needed funds to assist with repairs and projects to increase the assessed values of homes, while creating a better quality of life for both the home owner and their neighbors.  The county has partnered with Schuylkill Community Action on a number of grant projects over the years with a positive experience in each project,” according to a statement released by the Schuylkill County Commissioners.

“We are very happy to participate in this program,” Schuylkill Community Action Executive Director Ted Dreisbach said. “It will help many residents who otherwise would have no option other than to continue living in an unsafe environment.”

 

Contact:
Mary Beth Dougherty
570-773-0891

Back to Top