HARRISBURG, PA — The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) announced this week that it is awarding $6,331,068 in new Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds. The grants aim to assist homeless individuals and families across Pennsylvania in finding housing.
The federal funding for 2023 is set to be disbursed among 16 municipalities and seven nonprofit organizations. These entities will administer regional projects spanning 25 counties and one statewide program. The funds can be used for a range of services, including rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, street outreach, emergency shelter, homeless management information systems (HMIS), and administration.
“The funding approved today will go to trusted community organizations to assist individuals and families experiencing or facing homelessness,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. “The Shapiro Administration is committed to helping the most vulnerable members of our communities, and ESG funding provides local governments and non-profits across the Commonwealth with the tools they need to help unlock critical housing resources to support them.”
Among the regional grant recipients are the Center for Community Action, which will receive $490,000 to provide homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing services in seven counties, and the Cambria County Women’s Help Center, which will provide street outreach and emergency shelter services. Central Susquehanna Opportunities was awarded $300,000 for a regional project serving three counties, while the City of Allentown and Lawrence County Social Services each received $300,000 and $1.5 million, respectively, to provide comprehensive services through community organizations. The Union-Snyder Community Action Agency will use its $150,000 grant for rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, and administrative support.
ESG funding is authorized by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act as amended by the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act of 2009. Priority for funding is given to applicants representing areas of the Commonwealth that do not already receive a direct allocation of ESG funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The awarded grants will help address the urgent needs of Pennsylvania’s homeless population, offering a lifeline to those most in need. As these funds are put to work across the Commonwealth, it is hoped that they will make a tangible difference in combating homelessness and providing much-needed support to vulnerable residents.
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