Ashland gets $80k grant to rehabilitate housing; $250k given across county
ASHLAND – Nine owner-occupied houses in this borough will be rehabilitated, thanks to a grant from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.
The Borough of Ashland will receive $80,000 for the grant program, giving income eligible households up to $20,000 in forgiveness grants to help upgrade major systems as well as make accessibility improvements for seniors.
“One of the top concerns across my legislative district and all of Schuylkill County are aging properties that have fallen into disrepair,” said Representative Neal P. Goodman in a media release. “These grants will help us address this problem. I am particularly pleased Ashland, which is my legislative district, will receive $80,000 to rehabilitate nine properties.”
The grants are among four community grants totalling $252,000 that were awarded today, to fight blight and create housing options, according to Senator Dave Argall’s office.
Another recipient was the Schuylkill County Land Bank, a consortium of seven municipalities: Shenandoah, Mahanoy City, Delano Township, Frackville, Girardville, Ashland, and Minersville.
The land bank received $60,000 to rehabilitate two blighted properties, which will be sold following the renovations.
“This funding is important for our community. It is an opportunity for productive reuse and reimagining of blight and dilapidated structures and land as farms, community gardens and health facilities,” said Representative Jerry Knowles. “Empty homes can become assets in neighborhood stabilization and revitalization that can be renovated and reoccupied.”
Schuylkill Community Action also received a grant, in the amount of $80,000 to support the county’s Home Repair Expansion Project, helping 20 homeowners fund major home system replacements.
Also receiving funding was Servants to All, Pottsville, which received $32,000 for its Homeless Prevention and Diversion Program. The funds, according to a media release, will help expand the program to reach 165 households facing imminent homelessness in the county.
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