Pittsburgh Review

Gov. Tom Wolf has announced that there will be $8 million going to 51 community projects across the state as part of the Keystone Communities Program.

The program, according to a release by Wolf, is through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). The funds will benefit 30 counties across the state.

“The funding provided through the Keystone Communities Program supports towns and cities with initiatives that work to create growth and stability in their neighborhoods while encouraging partnerships between the public and private sectors,” Wolf said. “These projects will build stronger communities, attract new residents and businesses and boost the commonwealth’s economy.”

The Wolf administration has approved about $38 million through the program for 247 projects across the state since 2015. This has included facade grants for businesses, infrastructure improvements, accessible housing, development grants and other planning activities, according to the DCED website.

Approved projects in Allegheny County include: Allegheny County Housing Authority: $500,000 to update Hawkins Village, which is an affordable housing complex in Rankin Borough; Hazelwood Initiative, Inc.: $25,000 for a feasibility study for an anchor building located in the Hazelwood neighborhood of Pittsburgh; Mon Valley Initiative: $350,000 for the Braddock Church Residences, which is a mixed-income housing redevelopment project; Perry Hilltop Citizens Council, Inc.: $132,900 to renovate of a three-story mixed-use structure at 2115 Perrysville Ave. in Pittsburgh; Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh: $197,225 for the Aging in Place Home Modification Program and Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh: $150,000 for the Homeowner Accessibility Program of Independence (HAPI). This provides grants for accessibility modifications to low-income city homeowners with permanent disabilities and landlords who don't live on the property but have tenants with permanent disabilities.