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Westmoreland to provide additional $4M for homeless services, housing aid | TribLIVE.com
Westmoreland

Westmoreland to provide additional $4M for homeless services, housing aid

Rich Cholodofsky
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Human service agencies in Westmoreland County will receive an additional $4.1 million in federal grants to assist homeless and hungry residents struggling because of the coronavirus.

County commissioners are expected to approve an amended grant program next week that allocates supplemental community development funding made available through the federal CARES Act approved by Congress.

“In the past, we traditionally used this money for infrastructure programs in municipalities, but we decided these (new) funds should impact our entire community. We talked with human services to see where these funds can most impact our residents,” said Jason Rigone, director of the county’s planning department.

The grants will double the funding county officials had anticipated spending this year for community-based programs to assist low-income residents.

Officials said the bulk of funds will be used to bolster services for the homeless as well as provide financial assistance for those struggling to pay rent.

“It’s critical and not just in the short term,” said Dan Carney, executive director of the Union Mission in Latrobe. “It’s important we have this funding now so we don’t have people displaced and move out of the county.”

Homelessness has become a growing problem in the county.

A January survey found as many as 73 people living on the streets, an increase from 52 from the year before. The county has 58 beds available in local homeless shelters, Carney said. Carney and others said those homeless figures are likely just a fraction of the true population.

Grant funds will be used to help the county’s shelters, including the Union Mission, offer more services. Money will also be allocated to agencies such as Westmoreland Community Action to provide financial assistance to low-income renters and homeowners to allow them to remain in their residences and pay utilities.

Officials said more residents might become homeless when moratoriums on evictions end in July.

“Our fear is that with covid-19 we’re going to see an exponential growth in homelessness next month,” said Mandy Zalich, executive director of Westmoreland Community Action.

Programs to ensure residents are fed will also receive funding.

Jennifer Miller, executive director of the Westmoreland County Food Bank, said the money is expected to help offset reductions in donations as well as potentially allow for an enhancement of programs that provide food to local shelters and soup kitchens.

“If things continue as they are now, this will allow us to do a little more,” Miller said.

Grants are also expected to assist human service agencies purchase personal protective equipment needed amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, officials said.

Rich Cholodofsky is a TribLive reporter covering Westmoreland County government, politics and courts. He can be reached at rcholodofsky@triblive.com.

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Categories: Local | Westmoreland
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