Westmoreland housing authority says federal budget cuts unlikely to impact local services

Westmoreland County Housing Authority officials said Tuesday they expect cuts in federal funding to have no immediate impact on local services.

The authority receives about $24 million annually from the federal government to operate its public housing program, pay for capital improvements and fund vouchers for subsidized housing. The continuing spending resolution approved last week by Congress, which avoided a government shutdown, calls for allocations to housing programs to continue at current levels, said authority Director Michael Washowich.

Officials said the authority, in addition to annual operating allocations, also received about $20 million in federal funding over the last five years specifically for capital improvements of public housing infrastructure.

“For now it is our understanding the funding for affordable housing for seniors and disabled and low-income residents are untouched. The (other federal) cuts have created a lot of anxiety and tension in our industry, so we’re in a wait-and-see mode.

The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, which oversees federal housing programs, is expected to see half of its staff slashed as part of the Trump Administration cuts, including some staff in Pittsburgh. But for now Westmoreland officials say they believe it will have little immediate impact on local housing programs.

The authority operates 45 housing communities throughout the county, including about 2,600 units. It also distributes about 1,600 vouchers for subsidized housing under the federal Section 8 program.

Current funding levels are expected to remain in place at least through September.

Housing Authority board Chairman Bob Regola, a former state senator who operates a lobbying firm based in Westmoreland County, said his contacts suggest housing programs will remain funded.

“There are a lot of moving parts, but the discussions I’ve had with people in Washington have been positive,” Regola said.

Washowich conceded that future funding is uncertain.

“We believe most of our programs will get funded, but maybe in a different way,” Washowich said.