Greensburg increases funds offered through the city's Housing Assistance Program

Greensburg leaders during Monday’s council meeting voted to increase funding offered through the city’s Housing Assistance Program to further help those impacted by the pandemic.

The vote raises 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 of mortgage payments, for qualifying applicants. A proposal to make the changes was first discussed during last week’s workshop meeting.

So far, four qualifying families benefited from the program, Mandy Zalich, CEO of Westmoreland Community Action, said last week. The decision to increase funding came after city officials said they were seeing people needing more assistance as the covid-19 pandemic continued to evolve.

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 among 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.

Funds for the program are administered through Westmoreland Community Action’s Rental Assistance Program.

Those interested in seeing if they qualify for funds allocated by the city can call Westmoreland Community Action at 724-834-1260. The amount of money received by qualified applicants varies based on the specifics of their situation.