Funding for housing assistance announced
Sen. Katie Muth (D-Berks, Chester, Montgomery) announced that the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Authority (PHFA) has approved funding for eight housing assistance programs in the 44th district.
“There is a constant need to provide housing assistance for homeless and low-income individuals and families,” said Muth. “I am proud to see multiple projects approved in our area to assist residents who may be struggling to find and maintain safe, affordable housing.”
The approved funding comes through the PHFA’s Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE). The approved projects include: • Service Access & Management, Inc.’s Forensic Tenant-Based Rental Assistance - $200,000 to continue the program provides up to six months of rental assistance for individuals served through Service Access & Management’s Forensic Case Management;
• Berks Community Action Program Inc.’s Financial Literacy & Assistance with Housing Partnership $25,000 to conduct Financial Literacy Classes throughout Berks County with the goal of reaching homeless youth and to assist clients with renting and maintaining affordable housing;
• PA Home of the Sparrow’s Homelessness Prevention and Diversion Program - $55,000 to provide rental, mortgage, and homeowner assistance to homeless and near homeless households, as well as provide emergency shelter and case management services;
• Housing Authority of the County of Chester’s Housing Locator Program - $100,000 to assist Chester County residents in finding and maintaining permanent, affordable housing through housing location services, case management, risk reduction funds, signing bonuses, and flexible funding assistance for those diverted from shelters;
• Friends Association for Care & Protection’s Homeless Prevention Program - $75,000 to provide immediate, stabilizing support to at-risk families through case management, work and life skills education, rental assistance, and connection to benefits so they can maintain permanent housing;
• Gaudenzia Foundation Inc.’s Gaudenzia Concord Place - $50,000 to continue the operations of the Permanent Supportive Housing program in Chester County that serves homeless individuals recovering from substance abuse and co-occurring disorders;
• Chester County Department of Community Development’s Decade to Doorways System Prioritization and Realignment- $350,000 to provide outreach, rapid rehousing, housing case management, and financial resources to homeless and vulnerable individuals;
• Montgomery County Department of Housing & Community Development’s Your Way Home Program - $500,000 to continue operations of the partnership program that works to prevent homeless through outreach programs, rapid rehousing services, work and life skills services, and permanent housing support options.
“The funding announced today is a stepping stone,” said Muth. “There is still work to be done, but I am encouraged to see investments being made to combat homelessness and provide affordable housing in our communities.”