Centre County Commits $200K to Assist Low-Income Residents
Centre County, Pennsylvania is set to benefit from new funding provided by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, targeted at assisting low-income homeowners in the area.
The announcement, made by State Representative Scott Conklin (D-Centre), detailed that a sum of $210,000 is to be allocated towards initiatives aimed at enhancing residential safety, moderating energy expenses, and offering a suite of education and mitigation services for both landlords and tenants.
Representative Conklin elucidated on the significance of these measures, stating, “For our low-income residents, the concept of housing stability goes beyond just maintaining a place to live. It implies having the resources to ensure their homes are safe, the ability to afford heating and other crucial home-related costs, and having access to necessary services.” He continued, “By securing this funding, we are taking a step towards equipping our residents with the means to perform crucial safety repairs, knowledge to lower their energy consumption, and the guidance and services that may pave their way to homeownership.”
The funding will be distributed as follows:
- A sum of $100,000 is designated for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Centre County, Inc. The funds will be utilized for a Home Repairs program, which will facilitate residents in conducting essential repairs that impact their health and safety.
- The HOME Foundation’s Energy Case Management Program is set to receive $55,000. The program is designed to aid low- to moderate-income households in reducing their energy costs.
- The Centre County Government’s Housing Navigation Program will be granted $30,000. This initiative focuses on landlord outreach and education, tenant education and advocacy, support for county and provider caseworkers, assistance in housing search, and landlord/tenant mitigation services.
- Finally, the HOME Foundation is allocated $25,000. These funds will be employed for services that promote housing stability and assist participants in achieving their long-term housing objectives.
This substantial financial commitment reflects the ongoing efforts to support low-income homeowners and tenants in Centre County and underscores the importance of such initiatives in fostering a more stable and inclusive housing environment.
