Here’s how much Western Pa. will get of the $170 million in federal coronavirus relief money
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Pennsylvania will receive an additional $170 million in federal funding during the coronavirus pandemic from the Community Development Block Grant program and Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey’s office said Wednesday.
Local communities will get a significant share.
The federal coronavirus relief package includes $27.7 million for Pittsburgh, $12.4 million for Allegheny County and $3.3 million for Westmoreland County, according to Casey’s office. Pittsburgh’s total could be $4.3 million higher, according to U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills.
Doyle last week announced Pittsburgh was in line for an $8.4 million Emergency Solutions Grant as part of the federal relief package. Casey’s office reported the grant would total $4.1 million.
Natalie Adams, Casey’s press secretary, clarified by saying HUD’s Pittsburgh office reported the grant would be more than $4.1 million.
“The city has not yet received any official notifications about (the federal grants),” said Dan Gilman, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto’s chief of staff. “However, through the work of our House members and senators, we understand there will be additional funding coming to the city through these critical funding sources to help low- and moderate- income families.”
CDBG and HUD funds are specifically targeted for programs and projects in low- and moderate-income areas and used for things such as affordable housing and social programs.
Gilman said the money would not help offset operating and capital budget deficits the city faces because of an ongoing economic shutdown. The city funnels the grants to nonprofits and social programs for low-income wage earners, he said.
“While we are incredibly grateful, and they will certainty help Pittsburgh, they really are separate,” Gilman said.
Westmoreland County is set to receive about $3.3 million in federal dollars. About $2.3 million of that will be available for communities throughout the county to apply for Community Development Block Grant funding to complete improvement projects such as paving or demolition, Commissioner Sean Kertes said.
“I’m glad to see our federal representatives help us out locally,” Kertes said. “Whatever we can do to help any local municipalities.”
It’s unclear how the Emergency Solutions Grant funding will be spent in Westmoreland County. Officials had not been told whether it must be used in a specific way, said Jason Rigone, director of the Department of Planning and Economic Development. The county receives the HUD funding annually and typically works with outside agencies to assist with housing needs.
“We recognize the work that our federal officials put towards investing in our communities,” Rigone said. “We will continue to partner with them as well as HUD to ensure that these funds are invested well in the county.”
Allegheny County Economic Development Director Lance Chimka said the money would be used to provide shelter and housing, support important public services and assist in continuing local projects critical for the county’s economic health.
“We’re grateful to the federal government for acting quickly to provide additional resources to the county for its covid-19 response, as well as to address emergent needs as a result of covid-19,” he said. “At this time, we do not have a time frame as to when this money will be available to the county, or detailed information on what the process will be for release and further allocation.”
Bob Bauder and Renatta Signorini are a Tribune-Review staff writers. You can contact Bob at 412-765-2312, bbauder@tribline.com or via Twitter @bobbauder and Renatta at 724-837-5374, rsignorini@triblive.com or via Twitter @ByRenatta.