Irwin group gets money for blight fight efforts

An Irwin nonprofit that mounts programs and initiatives to help homeowners unable to maintain their properties and deal with hoarding will get money from the borough to help it land a larger grant for its joint projects.

Fight the Blight Inc. won unanimous approval from Irwin Borough Council on Wednesday for a $9,500 grant that it will use as a matching funds for a $36,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, said Matt Williams, a founder of the organization.

The Community Foundation is providing a grant of about $35,000 through its Revitalizing Westmoreland and Healthy Communities program, but that money is contingent upon Fight the Blight obtaining financial support from a community or other sources, Williams said.

Council President Rick Burdelski said following the meeting the borough was providing money to an organization with which it had a previous relationship in dealing with blight in the borough.

“If council thinks it will benefit the community, then we will look at it,” Burdelski said, referring to the possibility that other nonprofits might want money from Irwin borough.

Williams had asked the borough council in November to join in a partnership with his organization, which would earmark $7,500 from Irwin for contractors to clean abandoned properties and $2,000 from Irwin for blight remediation, research and removal of material. Williams has said the organization is able to do minor repairs on homes.

Fight the Blight also is starting a support group, “Buried in Treasures,” which is designed to address the root problems of people who are hoarders. The organization plans to conduct 16 sessions that aims to give people the tools to deal with a hoarding disorder.