Ciresi announces $750K in funding for local housing, blight remediation initiatives

Rep. Joseph Ciresi    August 14, 2020 | 1:01 PM

HARRISBURG, Aug. 14 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, announced three funding initiatives through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency for his 146th Legislative District that would go to address blight remediation, homelessness and housing counseling.

Funding will go to Pottstown Borough Land Bank, Genesis Housing Corp. and the Montgomery County Department of Housing & Community Development. It was awarded through the PHFA board in cooperation with Low Income Housing Tax Credits and Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement. 

“A safe, loving home is a big part of someone and can be life-changing,” Ciresi said. “I am so happy with this funding because it goes directly to improving the lives of so many local residents who are in need. I express my deepest appreciation to all who helped bring this funding to the 146th.”

The breakdown for the local funding is as follows:

  • Pottstown Borough Land Bank: $200,000 to help acquire five properties for resale to developers for rehabilitation for owner-occupied housing. At least two of the five properties will be transferred to developers for rehab and resale to households with incomes between 80% and 120% of the county area median income. The Land Bank will also use PHARE funds to provide grants up to $10,000 for single system critical repairs to eight households with less than 50% of the county area median income.
  • Genesis Housing Corp.: $50,000 to increase housing counseling staff to better serve the community. The funds will be used to add a staff person, provide pay raises for existing staff and support staff training.
  • Montgomery County Department of Housing & Community Development: $500,000 to help end and prevent homelessness in the county. The organization’s mission is to make the experience of homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring. PHARE funds will support expansion of Rapid Re-Housing, three evidence-informed Homelessness Prevention models, and Equitable Community Engagement.

More information about this funding is available by contacting Ciresi’s office at 484-200-8265.

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