Harmar supervisor balks at requirement of county's block grant program

Hamar supervisors recently approved a resolution to be included in the Allegheny County Community Development Block Grants and HOME Investment Partnerships Program for 2024 through 2026.

But the move didn’t come without some concern.

The vote was 4-1 with Supervisor Bob Exler dissenting.

Exler objected to the HOME Investment Partnerships Program being made a part of the measure by Allegheny County to be able to obtain federal Community Development Block Grants. It allows for the development of low-income housing in communities.

“What are you going to do?” Supervisors Chairman Bob Seibert asked Exler. “If you want grants, you have to go along with it.”

Township engineer Matt Pitsch said any low-cost housing developments would have to go through the same planning and zoning processes as other developments, and he doubted the township would generate that kind of interest.

“It’s not like people are waiting to build high-rises,” Pitsch said.

Noting that the township has benefited from quite a few CDBG grants through the county, Seibert said, “The responsible thing is to vote for it.”

Exler, however, did not change his position and voted no.