$405,000 in state funds awarded to pair of organizations providing safe affordable housing

The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
·2 min read

A pair of organizations addressing homelessness in the region received more than $400,000 combined in state grant funding.

The Women’s Help Center Inc., 809 Napoleon Street, Johnstown, received a total of $275,000 from the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund or PHARE.

Women’s Help Center Executive Director Roxann Tyger said her organization applied for the grant to respond to the housing crisis she has observed.

“We are seeing an increase of homeless,” she said. “So we want to help people find housing and just get their feet under them.”

Tyger said a change in a relationship, a loss of employment and domestic violence, are the most frequently encountered reasons for homelessness in the area.

The funding will help the operations of its shelter as well as the organization’s efforts to help people transition to a new house or apartment.

“This funding will enable us to do graduated rental assistance for people transitioning out of homelessness – getting them into apartments and subsidizing their rent to help them save money when they leave our program,” she said.

State Rep. Frank Burns, D-East Taylor, made an announcement Friday about the grant award. He was involved earlier in the grant process, having brought a senior staffer from the House Majority Leader’s office to meet with the Tyger.

“I felt it was imperative to bring senior legislative staffer Matt McCarry to Johnstown to get a firsthand look at some of the problems our area must deal with and discuss possible solutions,” Burns said.

“During our meeting, the Women’s Help Center director and I were able to directly discuss affordable housing and the need for the PHARE grant with him.”

The Blair County Community Action program, which has been absorbed by the Center for Community Action, received $180,000 from the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund.

Wendy Melius, executive director of the Center for Community Action, said the grants would serve Blair and Cambria residents.

The grant was written by Blair County Community Action with an aim for a regional impact including Cambria County, she said.

That grant was subsequently inherited by the Center for Community Action.

“The funds will help provide budgeting counseling for people at risk of homelessness,” she said.