Merski, Harkins: $1.45M awarded to expand affordable housing in Erie
Rep. Robert Merski June 12, 2026 | 9:33 AM
ERIE, June 12 – New grant awards totaling $1.45 million have been awarded to local organizations focused on expanding access to safe, affordable housing in Erie County, state Reps. Pat Harkins and Bob Merski, both D-Erie, announced today.
The grants were awarded through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund. PHARE was established by Act 105 of 2010 to allocate certain state or federal funds, as well as funds from other outside sources, that are used to assist with the creation, rehabilitation and support of affordable housing throughout Pennsylvania.
The local awards and recipients are as follows:
- $200,000 - Affordable Housing Development, Redevelopment Authority of the city of Erie
- $125,000 - B.E.S.T. Aging in Place Project, Bayfront East Side Taskforce
- $200,000 - Better Housing Modernization & Neighborhood Stabilization Project Phase IV, Housing Authority of the City of Erie
- $200,000 - Blight Reduction Through Demolition, Redevelopment Authority of the City of Erie
- $125,000 - Bridge to Homeownership, St. Martin Center Inc.
- $100,000 - City of Erie Homeowner Repair Mini-grants Program, City of Erie
- $200,000 - Healthy Homes, Redevelopment Authority of the City of Erie
- $100,000 - Landlord Incentive Program, Erie County Department of Human Services MH/ID Office
- $100,000 - Mercy Center Campus Housing Project, Mercy Center for Women
- $100,000 - Pathway to Home Ownership, Erie's Black Wall Street Incorporated
“Access to affordable, stable housing is the foundation for healthy families and strong neighborhoods,” Harkins said. “These grants will help rehabilitate homes, reduce blight, and create pathways to ownership so Erie residents can build security, improve health outcomes, and invest in their futures.”
Merski said: “Investing in housing is investing in opportunity. When families have safe, affordable places to live, children do better in school, adults can pursue steady work, and communities become more resilient. These awards will make a real difference across Erie County.”