Officials to apply for funds to aid disabled

MERCER, Pa. -- Commissioners plan to approve a grant application today that would provide money for people with disabilities to modify their homes to make them more accessible.
At their chief clerk's meeting Tuesday, commissioners indicated they will approve submitting an application for a Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development ACCESS grant for $275,000.
If awarded, funds would be provided to help disabled low- and moderate-income residents do interior and exterior modifications to their homes.
The grant will be administered by the Community Action Partnership of Mercer County.
Currently, no county program does this type of work, although local volunteers have done some.
Joyce Blanke, vice president of operations at CAPMC, said the renovations would typically include ramps, fencing or lifts. However, she said there would not be any major renovations such as bathrooms.
If awarded, the grant would help 25 to 40 residents the first year and would be renewable, she said. She added that local matching funds must also be found for the grant.
Commissioner Olivia Lazor said Lawrence County has successfully implemented such a program already.