Ciresi announces $152,400 in state funding for affordable housing and community development

Southeast Delegation    January 15, 2025 | 9:52 AM

HARRISBURG, Jan. 15 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi today announced that three community projects have been approved for $152,400 in state funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program.

NAP helps low-income individuals and improves distressed areas in PA communities through the provision of tax credits to businesses that contribute to nonprofit organizations’ efforts to revitalize communities.

“This state funding will provide critical support to some of our communities’ most vulnerable, from financially distressed individuals struggling to meet basic needs to low-income families requiring rehab grants to stay in their homes to at-risk students needing math and reading support so they can do well in school,” Ciresi, D-Montgomery, said. “This money will make sure our neighborhoods are healthy and flourishing by ensuring that some of the most vulnerable have the help they need to succeed.”

The applicants receiving grant money and the NAP subprograms providing the funding are the following:

Neighborhood Assistance Program, which supports affordable housing, community services, crime prevention, education, job training and neighborhood assistance:

  • TriCounty Community Network – Pottstown, Montgomery County – $3,900.

Funding will support emergency basic needs including transportation support, utility assistance, family assistance and housing support/assistance.

Special Priorities Program, which supports state priorities in distressed areas:

  • Genesis Housing Corporation – Pottstown, Montgomery County – $126,000.

Genesis Housing Corporation aims to preserve affordable housing in Pottstown by providing rehab grants to low-income homeowners. The program will focus on critical repairs such as heating, roofing and plumbing, prioritizing senior citizens and disabled homeowners. By reducing the wait time for repairs, the program will help maintain safe and decent housing for vulnerable residents.

  • RSVP Volunteers – Pottstown & Norristown, Montgomery County – $22,500.

RSVP Volunteers (RSVP) will provide critically needed math and reading support to at-risk and vulnerable students in the Pottstown and Norristown school districts. RSVP will also provide essential digital literacy and skills training throughout Montgomery County and in collaboration with its partners like ACLAMO in Norristown to bridge the digital divide.

The NAP has five main components: Neighborhood Assistance Program, Special Program Priorities, Neighborhood Partnership Program , Charitable Food Program and the Enterprise Zone Program. More information is available on the NAP impact brochure.