Rent aid program funding the same

Utility, gas and medicine costs have spurred applications.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
MERCER, Pa. -- A rental assistance program for Mercer County residents facing eviction has received the same funding amount for 2006-07 despite a tripling of applicants and a long waiting list.
Mercer County commissioners agreed Thursday to accept state Homeless Assistance Funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. The funds will total $97,000 this fiscal year, which began July 1.
The rental assistance program is run by the Shenango Valley Urban League.
Mark Thompson, league housing director, said the program helped 646 Mercer County households in the last fiscal year, which ended June 30. More than 380 are on a waiting list, and applicants face a two- to three-month waiting period, he said.
Still, Thompson said he is grateful to be receiving the same amount of money, considering state budget problems. He attributed the increase in applications for the program to rising utility costs, loss of full-time employment, and rising gasoline prices and prescription medicine costs.
He added that there is a separate rental assistance program for those on public assistance rolls, but said public assistance recipients whose income does not qualify them for that program can also apply for the HAP program, which has separate income guidelines.
Outside of the two government programs, he said he knows of no private help available locally for those facing eviction. Local churches have tried to help but were overwhelmed with the need, he said.
A portion of the HAP grant money also goes to the Salvation Army, which administers an emergency shelter program for fire victims and others facing sudden homelessness, he said.
While his program can assist only Mercer County residents, Thompson said those in other areas who need help with rent should contact their local Urban League, United Way or Public Assistance office.
Contracts awarded
Commissioners also approved three contracts for the Intermediate Punishment Program/Day Reporting Program. They renewed a contract with Mercer County Family Center, Sharon, to provide an adult basic education program for IPP participants. Services include teaching participants English and preparing them to take the high school equivalency exam. Cost is $633 monthly.
Community Corrections Director Don Fedorczyk said the center has been providing the service for five years. They also approved one-year contracts for UPMC Horizon, Greenville, to provide drug and alcohol treatment, including partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient services, for $8,413 monthly, and with Community Counseling Center, Hermitage, to provide drug and alcohol treatment services, including job coaching, job search and resume writing for $713 monthly.
Also Thursday, commissioners approved service contracts for Mercer County Mental Health/Retardation and the Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission. Providers and their contract maximums include: Next Step Therapy Inc., Seneca, for physical, occupational and speech therapy at $30 per unit, up to $1,500; Erdos Transportation, Mercer, for transportation up to $12,440; Family Transport Services, Sharon, up to $40,508; Goodwill Industries of Fayette County, Uniontown, for vocational services, $20,390, contract maximum; Jane Grannison, Sharon, in-home respite, $4,562; Passavant Memorial Homes, Pittsburgh, for residential homes and adult developmental training, $444,004; and Dr. Jose Santiago, Hermitage, enhanced home and community habilitation, $51,010.
New hires
Commissioners also hired several people, including: Mary Ann Odem of Sharon as law clerk for Judge Dobson, at $31,439 annually; Roseanna Homer of Greenville, Patrice Parkinson of Hermitage and Kelly Johnston of Grove City as part-time tele-communicators for the E-911 Center at $7.05 hourly; Ronald Snyder of Franklin as lieutenant at the Mercer County Jail, at $38,135 annually; and Stephanie Zigo of Mercer as part-time administrative assistant for Commissioner Brian Beader at $10.35 per hour.