Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin announced more than $5 million in funding is available for assisting homeless families in finding housing and combating homelessness across the commonwealth. The funding is provided through the federal Emergency Solutions Grant program.
“The Wolf Administration is committed to combating homelessness and providing reliable, safe and affordable housing options to residents across Pennsylvania, and the ESG funding plays a major role in this effort,” said Davin. “This funding provides critical and necessary resources and assistance to communities striving to find resolution for homeless residents and support homelessness prevention programs.”
The 2020 ESG funding eligibility falls into six categories: rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, street outreach, emergency shelter, homeless management information systems and administration. Rapid rehousing helps individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness, fleeing violence, or living in a home not suitable for human habitation to swiftly move to stable housing. Homelessness prevention resources help families or individuals who are currently housed but may be in jeopardy of losing their homes with rental assistance and case management resources. Street outreach connects unsheltered homeless individuals with emergency shelter and/or health services. Emergency shelter funding supports costs associated with essential services, operating expenses, and renovations necessary to provide emergency shelter.
It is authorized by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act as amended by the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009.
Priority for funding is given to applicants representing areas of the commonwealth that do not already receive a direct allocation of Emergency Solutions Grant funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Bucks County was approved to receive $114,125 of the total $5,480,359.
Visit dced.pa.gov/ for more information.
