(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Though it was a small gathering, the focus of Senator Elder Vogel’s visit to the emergency men’s shelter in Vanport operated by The Cornerstone of Beaver County was rather large.

Vogel, joined by TCBC director Marie Timpano and Bryce Maretzki–the director for the Office of Strategic Planning and Policy for the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA)–spoke at a brief appearance Thursday morning to talk about the beginning of funding applications for the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Fund. The PHARE fund is designed to help improve the amount of available houses throughout Pennsylvania, as well as their affordability.

“The PHARE fund serves a critical asset to the communities in my district,” Vogel stated, “especially since it helps our local government and area organizations address ongoing housing needs for our residents.”

According to Maretzki, the PHFA has awarded nearly $240 million in over 1100 grants since 2012. PHARE receives funding from sources such as a portion of the Realty Transfer Tax in Pennsylvania as well as impact fees from natural gas drilling companies. The PHARE funding available for the 2024 window is in excess of $65 million.

“What you see behind you, and more important than the building–the programs and services that are happening within it, helping individuals to have a safe place to rest and regroup and transform their lives–couldn’t have happened without these resources,” Timpano said.

Applications for the PHARE funding can be filled out on the PHFA’s website, which also includes further information about PHARE. The applications are due by November 17.

“While the fund itself does not end these issues,” Vogel added, “it does much to ease the burden of these issues and instill in many of our residents a means by contributing life-changing funds meant to give the people in our area a brighter tomorrow.”