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Centre County commissioners approve HOME ARP grant agreement with state; officials say funds help address housing insecurity
Summary
The Centre County Board of Commissioners approved a HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) grant agreement with the Department of Community and Economic Development and discussed how flexible housing funding can help residents at risk of homelessness.
The Centre County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a HOME American Rescue Plan grant agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development during its public meeting. The motion was seconded and carried with voices of “aye.”
County officials and commissioners said the grant’s flexibility is important for helping residents who face housing insecurity and related mental-health or substance-use challenges. Commissioner Concepcion, during later discussion, said housing insecurity is rising in the region and that rental-assistance options are critical for people “on the edge.”
The board took the formal vote at the meeting after the motion was moved and seconded; a commissioner called the result “motion carries.” No dollar amount or detailed budget breakdown for the HOME-ARP award was provided during the recorded discussion.
Commissioner Concepcion provided broader context about local housing conditions, saying higher local housing prices make it harder for residents below the area median income to afford housing. Concepcion said jurisdictions have used flexible funding to provide financial or rental assistance to prevent people from becoming homeless.
A member of the public who asked about the HOME funding during the meeting framed the need in terms of mental health and addiction overlaps with homelessness. In response, county officials said flexible grants let human-service partners combine services tailored to individuals’ needs so they can find permanent housing. The meeting transcript records county officials noting prior evidence — cited generally — that similar assistance has helped many recipients remain housed after receiving services; the county did not provide a local outcome rate at the meeting.
The board’s discussion also referenced the county’s recent ESG (Emergency Solutions Grant) award, which county staff had noted at a prior meeting. The HOME-ARP approval at this meeting did not include implementation steps or timelines in the public portion of the record; staff indicated follow-up reporting and program administration would proceed through the county’s human services processes.
The board adjourned at 10:23 a.m.
