Harkins: Nearly $1 million awarded to fight homelessness, fund home repairs, building improvements

Northwest Delegation    June 10, 2021 | 4:52 PM

ERIE, June 10 – Grant funding of $985,000 will help some of Erie’s most vulnerable residents find housing while ensuring others can obtain needed safety repairs, state Rep. Pat Harkins, D-Erie, announced today.

Harkins said the funding – administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund – will support programs to help residents at risk of homelessness secure housing and find paths to financial independence; assist low-income seniors needing home repairs; and allow the city housing authority to complete energy efficiency and security improvements to city buildings.

“The pandemic has intensified hardships for Erie’s most vulnerable residents, including those who don’t have a safe place to call home,” Harkins said. “The funding awarded today is going to create new opportunities for our most vulnerable residents by giving them a path to housing and self-sufficiency.

“Additional funding is going to help low-income seniors with essential housing repairs that can pose safety hazards and create safe, affordable housing for residents in need.”

Harkins said the grants include the following:

  • $160,000 to Greater Erie Community Action Committee for Senior Housing Improvement Program.
  • $100,000 to the Erie County Department of Human Services for Homelessness Prevention/Rapid-Rehousing.
  • $75,000 to St. Martin Center for Stable Home Pathway.
  • $50,000 to Erie DAWN for the Housing Solutions project.
  • $300,000 to the Erie Housing Authority for Phase II of the Better Housing Modernization and Neighborhood Stabilization Project.
  • $300,000 to the Mercy Center for Women for the Holy Rosary Building Project that will include loft-style apartments for families with a childcare center and food pantry.

Harkins said funding for the grants comes from Realty Transfer Taxes. More information on the grants is available here.