HOUSING COORDINATION SERVICES Department of Human Services
Heather Yeager, Housing Coordinator Fort Jackson Building (1st Floor) 19 South Washington Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
Phone: 724-852-5276 / Fax: 724-852-5368
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
Overview of Services:
The Housing Coordination Services program assists individuals and families in Greene County with housing needs by referring them to appropriate agencies – such as Community Action Southwest or the Salvation Army – that utilize Homeless Assistance Program (HAP) funds, McKinney/Vento funds to prevent homelessness and/or Emergency Food & Shelter funds through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. If eligible, county residents also can be referred to the Emergency Shelter Assistance Program through the County Assistance Office. Additionally, referrals are made to Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc., for landlord issues such as evictions, foreclosures, habitability cases and credit repair; to Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) for mortgage default counseling; and to Community Action Southwest for credit/budget counseling.
Greene County Housing Resource Manual:
Click here to access the Housing Resource Manual for Greene County; developed by the Greene County Housing Options Partnership (GCHOP). The manual provides a listing of housing resources to assist residents of our area. It provides miscellaneous information such as Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies; HUD Subsidized Housing Listing; Private Subsidized Housing Listing; Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program; Reverse Mortgage Information; Utility Assitance Programs; as well as a list of helpful websites to various housing assistance programs.
Housing Rehabilitation Program:
The goal of the Greene County Housing Rehabilitation Program is to provide safe and adequate housing for low- and moderate-income Greene County residents. To be eligible, the applicant must meet the income guidelines, own the residence and the property upon which it sets, occupy the residence and have all current taxes paid. To meet this program goal, Greene County will adhere to Section 8 Housing Quality Standards (HQS). The value of the applicant's residence may not exceed the FHA 203(b) limits. Eligible Greene County residents may receive a grant of not less than $1,000 or more than $25,000. Applicants are placed on a waiting list on a first-come, first-serve basis once the application and required information is received.
Packaging USDA Rural Development Section 502/504 Direct Loans and Grants provide eligible persons the opportunity to buy or build a decent, safe and sanitary dwelling or to provide assistance to very low-income owners of modest single-family homes in rural areas, for home improvements to remove health and safety hazards or to make a home accessible for household members with disabilities.
Application Package:
To download a copy of the Application Package, see the following documents. These documents should be printed in the order listed. For more information, contact Richard Davis at 724-852-5267.
HOMELESS PREVENTION and RAPID RE-HOUSING PROGRAM
This program is available to provide financial assistance, housing relocation and stabilization services to eligible individuals and families. Eligible individuals include veterans, people exiting the criminal justice system, and youth aged 16-21 with a history of foster care/residential placement.
Greene County Project for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (GPATH) Outreach: Contact Persons: Zabryna Karnes and Ryan Tyler at 724-852-5276 / Fax: 724-852-5368
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday—Friday
Homeless Children's Initiative: Contact Person: Michelle Voithofer, State Coordinator
Contact Number(s): 717-772-2813 — 724-785-7472 Ext. 524
Email(s): voithoferm@iu1.k12.pa.us and/or michellevoithofer@hotmail.com Web Address: www.iu1.k12.pa.us/other/homeless.shtml Location/Primary Address: IU1 Education Center, 6353 National Pike, Grindstone, PA, 15442
Click here for a Map of this Location
INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM
This program is dedicated to serving youth who have been, or are currently, in the custody of Greene County Children & Youth Services (CYS) on or after their 16th birthday. Independent Living Aftercare component provides case management and supportive services until their 21st birthday. The Greene County Independent Living program completes an assessment of all eligible youth and provides assistance with:
Life Skills
Career Planning and employment
Education
Housing including room and board services
Mentoring
Prevention and Wellness
Contact the Independent Living Caseworker at 724-852-5217.
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING APARTMENTS IN GREENE COUNTY
Mar. 28, 2013 — Officials Mark Opening of Transitional Housing Apartments Local and state officials today joined the Greene County Department of Human Services in celebrating the recent opening of Whitehill Place, transitional housing apartments located in Waynesburg Borough.
Numerous public officials and representatives from the project’s affiliated agencies, funders and contractor attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony held today at the housing apartments’ location at 189 E. High St. in Waynesburg.
"Everyone here had a puzzle piece that was used to put together the beautiful picture of Whitehill Place," said Karen Bennett, Greene County human services administrator.
The 203-year-old building — which was purchased by the County in December 2010 and fully renovated by Waller Corp. beginning in May 2012 — now contains six single-occupancy apartments for individuals left temporarily homeless. Continue reading... here.
Pictured at the ribbon-cutting ceremony are, front row, from l. to r., Karen Bennett, Greene County human services administrator, and Brian A. Hudson, Sr., executive director and CEO, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency; second row, Greene County Commissioners Archie Trader and Blair Zimmerman and state Rep. Pam Snyder; back row, Shar Whitmire, director of provider relations, Value Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania; Ed Geiger, director, Center for Community Financing, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development; Jeff Widdup, investment officer, First Federal Savings and Loan of Greene County; state Sen. Tim Solobay; John Bendel, director of community investment, Federal Home Loan Bank; Valerie Vicari, director, Division of Western Operations, Pennsylvania Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; and Greene County Commissioner Chuck Morris.
SUBSIDIZED PUBLIC HOUSING IN GREENE COUNTY
Many households would benefit from Governmental Subsidized Housing, however all existing subsidized housing units are filled, with waiting lists and modest turnover.
Also note that the Greene County Housing Authority does not determine its waiting list by housing site, but rather by bedroom size.
Following is a summary of the available subsidized housing:
HUD Subsidized Apartments / Affordable Housing:
Avalon Court: 170 E. Greene Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
Grandview Apartments: Grandview Drive, Waynesburg, PA 15370
Liberty Avenue: behine McCracken's Pharmacy, Waynesburg, PA 15370
Thompson Gardens: 5th & Walnut Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
Southside: Elm, Richhill, & Walnut Alley, Waynesburg, PA 15370
Wayne Village, West High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
Woodland Avenue Apartments: Woodland Avenue, Waynesburg, PA 15370
Woodside Manor: 522 P South & Renehart, Carmichaels, PA 15320
Private Subsidized Housing:
Bridge Street Commons: 600 Bridge Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370 (724-627-4145) 30 (1-bedroom) apartments, 62+ older or 18+ with a disability that requires an accessible unit.
Carmichaels Arbors: Arbor Apartment #76, Carmichaels, PA 15320 (724-966-7321 or 724-966-5860)
Waynesburg House: 75 W. Lincoln Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370 (724-627-5031) (Insignia Management Company (814-749-9210))
OPERTING COSTS FOR GREENE COUNTY HOUSING PROGRAMS
Program
Amount
Time Period
Purpose
Permanent supportive housing
$134,315
07/01/06-06/30/13
Pass through money to fund seven housing units for homeless adults
Shelter Care Plus
$172,315
10/01/08-09/30/13
Pass through money to provide vouchers to six homeless individuals
Permanent supportive expansion
$86,751
02/28/12-02/27/15
Pass through money to fund three housing units for homless adults
Master leasing
$64,073
07/01/12-06/30/14
Money received to provide seven housing units to individuals with serious mental illness who are-reentering the community from state and conunty correctional institutions
Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing
$175,940
09/15/09-08/12/12
Grant completed, targets youth 18-21, criminal justice and veterans
Homeless Assistance Program
$53,572
07/01/12-06/30/13
Money to provide rental assistance and utility assistance to low-income persons
GPATH
$42,000
07/01/12-06/30/13
Money to provide outreach to homeless individuals
Emergency Solutions Grant 2011
$165,000
10/17/12-10/16/14
Targets 18 families with children
Emergency Solutions Grant 2012
$60,440
10/17/12-10/16/14
Targets veterans, criminal justice and youth age 21-25 with homeless prevention or rapid rehousing
Note: Money for the first three programs comes from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Money for Master Leasing comes from Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. Funding for Housing Assistance Program comes from Department of Public Welfare. Money for Greene County Project
for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (GPATH) comes from Office of Mental Health and Substance Services; and money for the Emergency Solutions comes from the state Department of Community and
Economic Development. (Source: Greene County Human Services Department 4/20/2013)
Additional Housing Resource' Links:
Community Action Southwest Community Action Southwest, a non-profit organization, has been serving residents of Washington and Greene counties for 42 years. The organization’s goal is to mobilize public and private resources to deal with the causes of poverty, not just its impact, and to help low-income persons and families become economically self-sufficient.
Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST is an initiative designed to promote compliance with the Fair Housing Act design and construction requirements. The program offers comprehensive and detailed instruction programs, useful online Web resources and a toll-free information line for technical guidance and support.
Funders Together - Homelessness Ends Here Funders Together to End Homelessness is a national network of foundations and corporations supporting strategic and effective grantmaking to end homelessness. Funders Together seeks to build a national network of funders who are actively supporting proven, evidence-based programs to end homelessness; support the study, research and collaboration needed to refine and improve the practices and policies needed to end homelessness; and advocate for the increase of local, state and national resources specifically devoted to ending homelessness.
Greene County Housing Options Partnership (A Greene County M.A.G.I.C. team)
The mission of GCHOP is to create safe and affordable housing solutions to meet the needs of Greene County residents.
Greene County Housing Resource Manual provides a wealth of information pertaining to programs that offer assistance with a variety of housing issues.
Housing Resources:
Lots of Hope (LOH) The LOH Mission is to seed Pennsylvania with accessible housing options for seniors and persons with disabilities, providing equal opportunity in housing choice, price and location so that they may achieve independence near family, friends, work and medical services. The LOH population includes persons with disabilities of all ages and demographics: seniors, working professionals, veterans and families with children with disabilities.
Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania (HAP) The Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania is a statewide membership organization that works for a home within reach of every Pennsylvanian, especially those with low incomes. HAP focuses primarily on state policy, programs and budget and promotes common-sense solutions through research, education and action.
Keystone Help The Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) helps make affordable energy efficiency available to all Pennsylvanians by providing special financing and rebates for high efficiency heating, air conditioning, insulation, windows, doors, geothermal and “whole house” improvements using Home Performance with Energy Star. Keystone HELP is administered by AFC First Financial Corporation, a Pennsylvania energy efficiency lender.
National Alliance to End Homelessness The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a nonpartisan, mission-driven organization committed to preventing and ending homelessness in the United States. The organization works collaboratively with the public, private and nonprofit sectors to build state and local capacity, leading to stronger programs and policies that help homeless individuals and families make positive changes in their lives.
National Coalition for the Homeless The National Coalition for the Homeless is a national network of people who are currently experiencing or who have experienced homelessness, activists and advocates, community-based and faith-based service providers and others committed to a single mission. That mission, our common bond, is to end homelessness.
National Fair Housing Advocate Online The National Fair Housing Advocate Online is a resource designed to serve both the fair housing advocacy community and the general public with timely news and information regarding the issues of housing discrimination.
National Resource Center on Homelessness and Mental Illness The National Resource Center on Homelessness and Mental Illness is operated under contract to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services. The center seeks to improve the lives of people affected by homelessness who have mental health conditions, substance use issues and histories of trauma.
NeighborWorks® Western Pennsylvania NeighborWorks Western Pennsylvania is a non-profit organization with the mission of financial empowerment that promotes homeownership and stable communities in Western Pennsylvania. Dedicated to improving people’s lives, NeighborWorks Western Pennsylvania provides people with counseling, homebuyer education and affordable loans needed to improve and keep their homes.
News on TAP The Housing and Disability Technical Assistance Program (TAP) is a resource sponsored by The Philadelphia Office of Housing and Community Development. The purpose of TAP is to provide the most up-to-date information on accessible housing, fair housing laws and regulations, financial and technical resources, model projects and other issues related to housing for people with disabilities in the City of Philadelphia. This includes information on such topics as Universal Design, VisitAbility, proposed legislation, self-determination, and new public and private housing programs and projects.
The Fair Housing Act — Renters Rights (Right to Own) The Fair Housing Act's main aim to protect the interests of persons who are seeking housing without discrimination on the part of the landlords. According to the Fair Housing Act, all individuals who are seeking a house in the U.S. would get the same kind of benefits and opportunities. It defines disability, which includes not only the persons having physical disability but also that the realtors cannot make any discrimination against a mentally challenged person. This also covers people who are having problems with drug addictions, alcoholism, and more.
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Pennsylvania is committed to developing and enhancing its communities. Pennsylvania's focus on physical and economic infrastructure improvements produces significant change for the betterment of a community.
Pennsylvania Housing Choices The Pennsylvania Housing Choices Web site provides information about housing programs and opportunities for people with mental illness and co-occurring disorders. This Web site is targeted to county mental health housing specialists, other county mental health/mental retardation personnel, family members and people with mental disabilities, providers, state officials, public housing authorities, developers, advocates and others interested in housing for people with disabilities.
Public Housing Authority Digital Network "A Community Social Network for Housing Authorities" — a network of national service providers and other organizations who work with people in need of assistance. Designed to reduce the amount of effort it takes for a person to get the help they need. Our technology provide the "local search community framework" between those who NEED assistance and those who would like to "GIVE" assistance.
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency is the state’s leading provider of capital for affordable homes and apartments. Created to help enhance the quality and supply of affordable homes and apartments for older adults, persons of modest means and persons with disabilities, the agency operates homeownership programs, rental housing development initiatives and a foreclosure prevention effort.
Self-Determination Housing Project of Pennsylvania, Inc. (SDHP) The Self-Determination Housing Project of Pennsylvania, Inc., (SDHP) is a statewide organization that promotes self-determination in housing choice and control for people with disabilities in Pennsylvania. The goal of SDHP is to increase the stock of affordable, accessible and integrated housing and to expand access to public and private housing programs for people with disabilities.
Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc. Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc., is the primary provider of free legal services for low-income citizens in Washington, Greene, Fayette and Somerset counties. The organization’s mission is to ensure that no individual or family in the community is deprived of access to professional legal assistance solely because of an inability to pay. Clients are helped with a wide variety of civil legal problems, especially those of an emergency nature.
Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC) The Technical Assistance Collaborative is a national non-profit organization that works to achieve positive outcomes on behalf of people with disabilities, people who are homeless and people with other special needs by providing state-of-the-art information, capacity building and technical expertise to organizations and policymakers in the areas of mental health, substance abuse, human services and affordable housing.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Pennsylvania HUD's mission is to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination. To fulfill this mission, HUD will embrace high standards of ethics, management and accountability and forge new partnerships--particularly with faith-based and community organizations--that leverage resources and improve HUD's ability to be effective on the community level.
For general information, please contact the Information Services at 724-852-5399 / Toll Free: 1-888-852-5399. County Office Building, 93 E. High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
