PHFA announces grants for Schuylkill County housing

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency announced that four Schuylkill County community grants totaling $252,000 were awarded to fight blight and create more housing options.  Senator Dave Argall noted that “these tax credits and grants are highly competitive – only first-rate projects that applied received funding.”

Schuylkill Community Action received $80,000 to support the Schuylkill Home Repair Expansion Project (SHERP).  The goal of this project is to provide 20 Schuylkill County homeowners with funding to repair and replace major home systems in order to preserve their homes. 

“This funding is important for our community. It is an opportunity for productive reuse and reimagining of blight and dilapidated structures and land as farms, community gardens and health facilities,” said Representative Jerry Knowles. “Empty homes can become assets in neighborhood stabilization and revitalization that can be renovated and reoccupied.”

The Schuylkill County Land Bank received $60,000 to acquire and rehabilitate two blighted properties.  Once rehabilitated, the properties will made available for purchase.

The Borough of Ashland will receive $80,000 to rehabilitate nine owner-occupied properties.  Income eligible households will receive up to $20,000 in forgiveness grants to help upgrade major systems as well as make accessibility improvements for seniors.

“One of the top concerns across my legislative district and all of Schuylkill County are aging properties that have fallen into disrepair,” said Representative Neal P. Goodman. “These grants will help us address this problem. I am particularly pleased Ashland, which is my legislative district, will receive $80,000 to rehabilitate nine properties.”

The Servants to All’s Homeless Prevention and Diversion Program will receive $32,000 to provide assistance to vulnerable populations such as veterans and persons with disabilities.  These funds will help expand the program and enable Servants to All to reach 165 households facing imminent homelessness in Schuylkill County.

 

Contact: Jim Brugger    717.787.2637

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