Rep. Parke Wentling has announced the allocation of $760,000 in grant funding for various projects in Mercer County and the 7th Legislative District. The grants are intended to support housing initiatives and blight mitigation efforts.
The Mercer County Housing Authority received a substantial portion of the funding, with $500,000 allocated to its Veterans Housing Development Center Project. This initiative aims to provide 10 units of affordable housing—six transitional and four long-term rentals—for homeless and at-risk veterans in Mercer and Lawrence counties.
Additionally, the Community Action Partnership of Mercer County (CAPMC), in collaboration with the city of Sharon, was awarded a $125,000 grant for its Lots to Love program. This program focuses on developing previously blighted properties. CAPMC also secured a $100,000 grant for its Bridge Subsidy Housing program, which assists individuals with mental illness who are homeless by providing emergency shelter and other supportive services such as rent subsidies and housing counseling. Furthermore, CAPMC received a $35,000 grant for its Assets Match Program aimed at helping participants establish savings accounts.
“This funding will help veterans and at-risk folks across Mercer County. The funding will also support the success of Community Action Partnership’s Lots to Love program,” said Wentling.
The grants were approved under Pennsylvania’s Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) initiative. Funding for this round came from Marcellus Shale Impact Fees and Realty Transfer Taxes.
