Oct 13, 2014 3 min read

Two projects in Washington County will be getting a large boost in state funding from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Authority.

Washington County Redevelopment Authority was awarded $750,000 to construct 13 patio-style homes in Claysville, and Washington City Mission received $50,000 for its homeless voucher to help its graduates pay apartment rental fees.

Across the state, $9.3 million was awarded to 45 housing programs and projects. The grants are funded by the state’s Act 13 impact fee on natural gas production.

Sally Mounts, director of development for City Mission, squealed with excitement when she learned they received the grant Friday.

“What’s wonderful about this is that it will augment our existing resources,” Mounts said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for homeless men and women who have difficulty moving to independent living.”

The voucher program will be used to provide financial assistance to 40 men and women who graduate from the City Mission’s program for homeless individuals. It will cover the first month of rent and a security deposit.

“The average cost in Pennsylvania of one month of rent and one security deposit is $1,266 for a one-bedroom apartment,” Mounts said. “That’s a lot of money for people to be able to save when they’ve been homeless and they don’t have any financial resources.”

Mounts said the voucher program will provide a leg-up to graduates, who can still receive meals, case management and medical care from the City Mission.

The program is separate from the nonprofit organization’s graduate housing program, which matches graduates with one of 16 Shelter Plus Care apartments in Washington funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

In Claysville, low- to mid-income individuals ages 55 and older can soon apply for a patio home-style apartment provided by the Redevelopment Authority. The authority plans to construct 13 affordable, one-bedroom rental units on School Street.

In addition to opening applications next year, the authority will also reach out to individuals on a waiting list for a 24-unit housing facility in Claysville that is also funded by the Redevelopment Authority.

At three-quarters of a million dollars, the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enforcement grant provides an appreciated boost to the $1.9 million housing project, said executive director Bill McGowen. Matching funds will come from the state’s Act 137, housing equity funds and a home investment partnership.

McGowen said it’s the largest award they’ve received from the PHARE fund since it got started in 2012, but they received a combined total of $1.3 million from that fund for projects in 2012 and 2013.