IN Carlynton-Montour Winter 2016 | Page 9

on all U.S.-based Cigna premises and
during all company-sponsored events;
Cigna Quit Today© is a tobacco cessation
program available free to all employees.
• Employees are encouraged to use
preventive care services, including annual
physicals and biometric screening options,
by being provided with incentives.
• Incentive programs for Healthy Weight and
Healthy Blood Pressure are offered to all
employees and their family members.
• In addition to online and telephonic health
coaching, there was the provision in 2016
of an onsite health coach for employees.
• Health food options are provided at the
organization’s on-site cafeteria as well as
in company vending machines along with
healthy snack options during company
meetings.
“Cigna’s investment in the Pittsburgh region
starts with our employees. Our focus on the
health and wellness of our employees has
shown to help our workforce stay healthier,
more productive, and better engaged to
meet or exceed the needs of our customers,”
said Julia Huggins, Cigna President for
Pennsylvania.
For more information on the Live Well
Allegheny campaign, including details on
how your business can become a Live Well
Workplace, visit www.LiveWellAllegheny.com.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY
RECEIVES $175,000
PHARE GRANT FOR
ACCESSIBILITY PROGRAM

Allegheny County Economic Development
has received a $175,000 grant from the
Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and
Rehabilitation Enhancement fund. The fund
is administered by the Pennsylvania Housing
Finance Agency. The grant will allow ACED
to provide accessibility modifications to
residents of the county who have permanent
physical disabilities with low to moderate
incomes. Working with its partner, ACTIONHousing, Inc., ACED expects to be able to
provide modifications for 19 households.
The United Way of Allegheny County
recently commissioned a study by ACTIONHousing, Inc. and Regional Housing Legal
Services that helped define this gap. According
to data from U.S. Housing and Urban

Development and PHFA, there are twice
as many Allegheny County residents with a
disability than housing units to serve them.
Every accessible modification will preserve a
unit of affordable housing, allow the resident
of that unit to stay in a housing situation that is
safe and comfortable, and prevent any further
stress on an already inadequate supply of
affordable housing.
“We are thankful to PHFA for providing the
$175,000 in PHARE funds that will enable us
to work with our partner, ACTION-Housing,
Inc.,” said ACED Director Bob Hurley.
“Together, we can help make homes for
Allegheny County residents with disabilities
safe and sound.”
Applicants for the program will need to
have a clinically or medically documented
disability, and all modifications will either be
directly related to a) that disability, or b) a
health and safety barrier that would inhibit a
medically necessary modification. ACTIONHousing will work with the participants to
create a scope of work that will ensure the
project is completed consistent with their
physical needs. The organization will also
provide initial and final inspections, and
oversee construction.
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
made its announcement on Oct. 13, approving
$6.2 million for 40 housing projects to
improve the availability and affordability of
housing in 29 counties. This is the fifth year
for the PHARE program, which has invested
more than $39 million into Pennsylvania
communities, in addition to nearly $255
million of other leveraged funding.
For more information, or to apply for
the program, contact Andrew Shull at
412.281.2102. n
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