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Residents tell commissioners affordability crisis is forcing sacrifices on seniors and workers
Summary
A string of public commenters described rising utilities, medical bills and housing repair costs that are straining fixed- and middle-income households and asked the commissioners to meet May 9 to plan responses and services.
Residents from across Westmoreland County used public comment on April 16 to put faces on an affordability crisis they said is widening: seniors and working families described higher utility and health-care bills, unexpected home repairs and exhausted savings.
"Without access to affordable healthcare, how can anyone have an inalienable right to LIFE?" Elizabeth Weaver of Hempfield Township asked the commissioners, summarizing a survey she attributed to Voice of Westmoreland that found health care and utilities top budgetary concerns across age groups.
Other commentors described concrete hardships. Jocelyn Burns, a senior and homeowner from New Kensington, said unexpected medical procedures and home repairs have forced her to dip into retirement savings. Philip Hazlet said that even households with stable public-sector or health-care jobs have had to cut discretionary spending and that a larger share of family income is now needed to maintain a previously modest lifestyle.
Speakers including Karen Rose and Cass Greene urged the commissioners to meet with constituents on May 9 to begin mapping solutions and recommended priorities such as focused use of county funds, food supports, and efforts to attract living-wage jobs. Several speakers also criticized the county's prior use of ARPA funds and asked that future federal and state funds be targeted to low-income residents.
The commissioners did not adopt a formal response at the meeting; public commenters asked for a follow-up meeting in May.
