Greensburg hopes to boost help to those affected by pandemic

Greensburg leaders hope to further help those impacted by the covid-19 pandemic with an additional $6,000 offered through the Greensburg Housing Assistance Program.

City council members will vote on the proposal next week, which would raise the maximum amount received through the program from $1,500 — or three months of rent or mortgage payments — to $7,500, or five months of rent or mortgage payments for qualifying applicants, according to Jeff Raykes, the city’s planning director.

“What we’re seeing is that, as the pandemic evolved and as needs started to show up, they were seeing people needed more money,” Raykes said.

The rent assistance program was one of several announced by Greensburg leaders in December after the city received $194,000 in CARES Act money, coronavirus relief funds that municipalities received through the existing Community Development Block Grant program.

From those funds, $58,000 was allocated for the rent assistance program, while the remaining funds were split between helping city businesses struggling due to the pandemic, supporting the Westmoreland County Food Bank’s food pantry distribution program and aiding Westmoreland Community Action in providing emergency food boxes.

“We knew there were needs, but we didn’t know how to get it on the streets so that’s where we got creative,” Raykes said.

The funds are administered through Westmoreland Community Action’s Rental Assistance Program.

According to Mandy Zalich, CEO of Westmoreland Community Action, Greensburg’s rent assistance program benefited four families who qualified for the program. Raykes noted the amount of money received by qualified applicants varies based on the specifics of their situation.

For those who do not qualify, the nonprofit helps point them to organizations like the Westmoreland County Housing Authority, Union Mission and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg. Zalich noted those interested in receiving funds allocated by the city of Greensburg can call Westmoreland Community Action at 724-834-1260.

“We’re all just trying to work together to serve as many folks as possible,” Zalich said.

Revisions to the Greensburg Housing Assistance Program are on the agenda for Monday’s city council meeting, which begins at 6 p.m.