Greene County Commissioners are excited to announce an award of $750,000 through the Pennsylvania HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) to support affordable housing in the county.
Announced yesterday by Governor Tom Wolf, a statewide distribution of $10,323,668 in funding will support affordable housing in 16 counties. “Pennsylvanians deserve safe, up-to-code, and accessible spaces to call home,” said Gov. Wolf. “The HOME funding approved today will help provide access to these spaces to individuals across the commonwealth while also revitalizing communities through renter and new homeowner opportunities.”
HOME is a federally funded program that provides municipalities with grant and loan assistance to expand and preserve the supply of decent and affordable housing for low- and very low-income Pennsylvanians. The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) receives HOME program funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the annual entitlement appropriation process.
The $750,000 grant to Greene County will provide opportunities to assist with roof issues, safety and health issues, updates to major systems such as furnaces, outdated electric or plumbing systems, and other repairs to preserve, improve, and stabilize the current housing stock in Greene County.
“Our hard-working employees in Economic and Community Development Department have been extremely successful in implementing several programs that assist businesses and homeowners with funding streams that positively impact their ability to continue in business, retain or hire additional employees or expand their businesses. Homeowners have benefited from grant programs that allow safety and comfort improvements to their homes. This funding allows the department to continue this greatly valued work with homeowners.”, stated Chairman Mike Belding, Greene County Board of Commissioners.
“We are excited to continue assisting the homeowners on our HOME REPAIR Waitlist and encourage others to apply. The need for housing assistance is now more than ever. This program allows us to assist low-income families who are unable to invest in their homes that may otherwise be uninhabitable”, stated Crystal Simmons, Director CDBG/HOME Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Program.
If you have questions or are interested in applying for the HOME Program for housing rehabilitation or work with us as a contractor, inspector or Lead and Radon Specialist, please contact: Crystal Simmons, CDBG/HOME Director at csimmons@co.greene.pa.us or Phone (724) 852-5260.
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Pictured from left: Crystal Simmons, Director CDBG/HOME, Ginny Phillips, HOME Program Manager, Natasha Balazick, Program Associate