Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning
deaths in America, according to the Journal of the American Medical
Association. Carbon monoxide can accumulate to hazardous levels in
a short period of time, which is why it’s critical that there are working
carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Just like with smoke
alarms, some models use batteries and must be checked and replaced
regularly.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY RECEIVES
$175,000 PHARE GRANT FOR
ACCESSIBILITY PROGRAM
Allegheny County Economic Development (ACED) has received
a $175,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability
and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) fund. The fund is
administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA).
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 ACTION-Housing, Inc. and Regional Housing Legal
Services that helped define this gap. According to data from the 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
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Upper St. Clair | Winter 2016 | icmags.com 11