June 4, 2004
County Redevelopment Agency
Accepts New Responsibilities
June 8, 2004
Neighborhood Networks funding
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PA- The Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the County of Butler will hold a ground breaking ceremony for Rolling Road Regency Apartments on Tuesday, October 28, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. at 100 Rolling Road, Cranberry Township, PA 16066.
The Butler County Redevelopment Authority was recently awarded a six-month contract to oversee the operations of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler.
The contact, approved by Butler City Council on May 27, will give the county agency the authority to administer the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), home rehabilitation and several other programs. The contract began June 1, 2004, and can be continued on a month-to-month basis thereafter.
For information about redevelopment programs in the City of Butler, contact us at 724.283.0116 or www.racb.net .
For information about redevelopment programs in the City of Butler, contact us at 724.283.0116 or www.racb.net .
June 8, 2004
BOB O’CONNOR TO SPEAK AT LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON
Bob O’Connor, Director of Governor Edward G. Rendell’s Southwest Pennsylvania Regional Office, will serve as the keynote speaker for the Tenth Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon sponsored by The Housing Authority of the County of Butler. The luncheon will be held on Thursday, June 10, at the Butler Days Inn. To date, the Housing Authority of the County of Butler has awarded $34,500 in scholarships to low to moderate income residents of local Public Housing and Section 8 Rental
Assistance Programs to assist them in pursuing higher education and achieving economic independence.
Neighborhood Networks funding
The Housing Authority of the County of Butler is please to announce successful funding agreement between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the 2003 Ross Neighborhood Networks grant. This funding enhances existing successful computer learning centers to enable seniors and persons with disabilities to gain increased quality of life and prolonged independence through computer Internet connections. Also the housing authority will partner with Citizens National Bank and Butler Memorial Hospital, to provide access to online wellness services. These services address gaps in medical linkage, to promote early intervention. The grant term is three years where the Housing Authority with our community partners will educate seniors in our community how to use computers. The purchase of new accessible equipment
for 5 senior high rises located throughout the county in Butler City, Evans City, Zelienople, and Slippery Rock.
Rolling Road Regency Apartments Groundbreaking
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PA- The Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the County of Butler will hold a ground breaking ceremony for Rolling Road Regency Apartments on Tuesday, October 28, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. at 100 Rolling Road, Cranberry Township, PA 16066.
The $5.6 million, 50-unit low-income affordable tax credit complex features deluxe, one-bedroom apartments for persons aged 55 and older. Special accessible units for mobility impaired individuals are also available.
For more information, please contact Perry O’Malley, Executive Director, or Rebecca Veith, Resident Initiatives/ Planning & Development Coordinator, at 724-287-6797, or 1-800-433-6327, or the housing authority website- www.housingauthority.com.
Housing Authority Awards $4,500 in Schola rships
Six Butler area students were awarded a total of $4,500 in scholarships on June 26, 2001, at the Butler County Housing Authority's Seventh Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon.
Marcy Buzzard won a scholarship for the third straight year. She was awarded the $1,000 PNC Bank Scholarship. Buzard is majoring in therapeutic recreation at Slippery Rock University.
Heather Miller won the $1,000 James A. Green Scholarship. She is a recent Butler High School graduate and will begin her college studies this fall. Her goal is to attend Kent State University and obtain a degree in architecture.
David L. Kennedy is a recent Butler County Community College graduate where he majored in elementary education. Kennedy was awarded the $500 Jud Sedwick-Armstrong Cable Services Scholarship. He plans to continue his studies this fall at Slippery Rock University. He has been involved with the Adult Literacy Program and mentored several students with disabilities.
Ann Baughman was awarded the $1,000 Citizens National Bank Scholarship. As a gerontology and social work major at Slippery Rock University, Baughman is a mother of three and works full-time in addition to her studies. An honors student, Ann hopes to graduate in May 2002.
Rosemary Heitzer and Marsh Groomes were awarded $500 each from the National City Scholarship.
Rosemary Heitzer attends Chatham College in Pittsburgh. As a mother of four daughters, Heitzer is a former Americorps participant who works part-time and has been involved with the Dunbar Center and Girl Scouts.
Marsha Groomes is a pre-nursing major at Butler County Community College. She is a single mother and has ten years work experience at Butler Memorial Hospital along with being a past recipient of the YMCA "Volunteer of the Month" award.
For more information, please contact Perry O’Malley, Executive Director, or Rebecca Veith, Resident Initiatives/ Planning & Development Coordinator, at 724-287-6797, or 1-800-433-6327, or the housing authority website- www.housingauthority.com.
New $15 million Homeownership Initiative Announced for Butler County
U.S. Representative Phil English (R-PA) joins the Butler County Housing Authority, Citizens National Bank of Butler County, National City Bank and Fannie Mae to Announce a New $15 Million Initiative to Bring Homeownership Opportunities to Butler County’s Section 8 Recipients on Friday February 15, 2002.
This initiative will allow Butler County recipients of Section 8 subsidies to use their vouchers toward homeownership for the first time.
“This Section 8 Homeownership Initiative will allow people in Butler County to use their Section 8 subsidies to move from rental housing to homeownership,” said Rep. English. “This will help Butler County families. Not just by providing them with shelter, but with a means to build assets, create wealth, and establish a strong financial foundation for themselves and their communities. In this way, we increase opportunities for Butler County families to move up the economic ladder.”
The Butler County Housing Authority is authorizing up tp 200 Section 8 vouchers, which residents will use to purchase homes in Butler County, and conduct pre-and post-purchase housing counseling to their residents. Citizens National Bank of Butler County and National City Bank will originate $15 million in mortgage loans which Fannie Mae will then purchase under the Section 8 initiative.
For additional information on the Section 8 Homeownership Initiative, please contact Maria Stephenson at the Butler County Housing Authority office at (724 287-6797 or 1-800- 433-6327, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EST.
This initiative will allow Butler County recipients of Section 8 subsidies to use their vouchers toward homeownership for the first time.
“This Section 8 Homeownership Initiative will allow people in Butler County to use their Section 8 subsidies to move from rental housing to homeownership,” said Rep. English. “This will help Butler County families. Not just by providing them with shelter, but with a means to build assets, create wealth, and establish a strong financial foundation for themselves and their communities. In this way, we increase opportunities for Butler County families to move up the economic ladder.”
The Butler County Housing Authority is authorizing up tp 200 Section 8 vouchers, which residents will use to purchase homes in Butler County, and conduct pre-and post-purchase housing counseling to their residents. Citizens National Bank of Butler County and National City Bank will originate $15 million in mortgage loans which Fannie Mae will then purchase under the Section 8 initiative.
For additional information on the Section 8 Homeownership Initiative, please contact Maria Stephenson at the Butler County Housing Authority office at (724 287-6797 or 1-800- 433-6327, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EST.
Transitional Housing Building Ready for Use!
The Housing Authority of the County of Butler and the Department of Veterans Affairs and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh announce the ribbon cutting grand opening ceremony for Deshon Place. The event will be held at Deshon Place, Building 5 of the Veterans Affairs complex, at 325 New Castle Rd, Butler, PA on Friday June 29, 2001 at 11:00 a.m. Deshon Place is a transitional housing program for single, homeless adults, ages 18-62.
Deshon Place is funded through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development McKinney-Vento Regional Homeless Assistance Program through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development. Homeless persons may receive up to 2 years of supportive housing assistance through the program.
The Housing Authority of the County of Butler and the Department of Veterans Affairs and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh announce the ribbon cutting grand opening ceremony for Deshon Place. The event will be held at Deshon Place, Building 5 of the Veterans Affairs complex, at 325 New Castle Rd, Butler, PA on Friday June 29, 2001 at 11:00 a.m. Deshon Place is a transitional housing program for single, homeless adults, ages 18-62.
Deshon Place is funded through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development McKinney-Vento Regional Homeless Assistance Program through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development. Homeless persons may receive up to 2 years of supportive housing assistance through the program.
Housing Authority Awards $4,500 in Schola rships
Six Butler area students were awarded a total of $4,500 in scholarships on June 26, 2001, at the Butler County Housing Authority's Seventh Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon.
Marcy Buzzard won a scholarship for the third straight year. She was awarded the $1,000 PNC Bank Scholarship. Buzard is majoring in therapeutic recreation at Slippery Rock University.
Heather Miller won the $1,000 James A. Green Scholarship. She is a recent Butler High School graduate and will begin her college studies this fall. Her goal is to attend Kent State University and obtain a degree in architecture.
David L. Kennedy is a recent Butler County Community College graduate where he majored in elementary education. Kennedy was awarded the $500 Jud Sedwick-Armstrong Cable Services Scholarship. He plans to continue his studies this fall at Slippery Rock University. He has been involved with the Adult Literacy Program and mentored several students with disabilities.
Ann Baughman was awarded the $1,000 Citizens National Bank Scholarship. As a gerontology and social work major at Slippery Rock University, Baughman is a mother of three and works full-time in addition to her studies. An honors student, Ann hopes to graduate in May 2002.
Rosemary Heitzer and Marsh Groomes were awarded $500 each from the National City Scholarship.
Rosemary Heitzer attends Chatham College in Pittsburgh. As a mother of four daughters, Heitzer is a former Americorps participant who works part-time and has been involved with the Dunbar Center and Girl Scouts.
Marsha Groomes is a pre-nursing major at Butler County Community College. She is a single mother and has ten years work experience at Butler Memorial Hospital along with being a past recipient of the YMCA "Volunteer of the Month" award.
PA Access Program Grant Awarded
Butler, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development recently awarded the Butler County Housing and Redevelopment Authority a $200,000 grant through the new PA Access Program.
This award will be used exclusively to provide accessible renovation assistance grants of up to $5,000 to assist persons with physical disabilities living in Butler County. The grants, which are being provided this year for the first time, will be used for improvements such as ramps and widening doorways.
Applicants must meet low-income guidelines, currently up to $22,750 for a family of four, as established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to be eligible.
The Butler County Housing and Redevelopment Authority was the first agency in Western Pennsylvania to apply and receive this award.
For more information, please contact Mr. Perry O'Malley, Executive Director, at
(724) 287-6797, Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Butler, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development recently awarded the Butler County Housing and Redevelopment Authority a $200,000 grant through the new PA Access Program.
This award will be used exclusively to provide accessible renovation assistance grants of up to $5,000 to assist persons with physical disabilities living in Butler County. The grants, which are being provided this year for the first time, will be used for improvements such as ramps and widening doorways.
Applicants must meet low-income guidelines, currently up to $22,750 for a family of four, as established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to be eligible.
The Butler County Housing and Redevelopment Authority was the first agency in Western Pennsylvania to apply and receive this award.
For more information, please contact Mr. Perry O'Malley, Executive Director, at
(724) 287-6797, Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Housing Authority's Welfare - to -Work Rental Housing
Program contributes to welfare reform efforts by the
Butler County Assistance Office
The Housing Authority of the County of Butler, in partnership with the Butler County Assistance Office, is offering rental assistance for persons in (or formerly in) the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Program. Eligibility of families to participate is based on meeting the Section 8 income eligibility requirements and be TANF eligible*.
(*currently receiving TANF, eligible to receive TANF, or have received TANF at any time since January 1997).
The Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded the Butler County Housing Authority this past year 300 Section 8 Rental Vouchers valued at over six million dollars over the next five years. The award is being used exclusively to assist families' to move from welfare to work. The Butler County Housing Authority was one of four in Pennsylvania, the only one in Western Pennsylvania, to receive this highly competitive award. Receiving the additional rental housing assistance vouchers was due largely in part, to the strong community collaboration of the Housing Authority with other local agencies and in particular, the Butler County Assistance Office. "Without the support and commitment to welfare reform by staff at the local Assistance Office, we would not have received and have been able to implement this award," commented Perry O'Malley, Housing Authority Executive Director. Both agencies have worked closely together on shared welfare to work initiatives for the past five years.
The welfare-to-work housing vouchers, which are being provided this year for the first time, will subsidize rents of families receiving welfare assistance, and those recently leaving the welfare system. These vouchers will enable families to rent apartments near available jobs, transportation, or childcare.
For more information, please contact Ms. Gina McClaine, Section 8 Coordinator or Ms. Rebecca Veith, Resident Initiatives Coordinator at (724) 287-6797 Monday - Friday, 8:30a.m. - 4:30p.m.
Program contributes to welfare reform efforts by the
Butler County Assistance Office
The Housing Authority of the County of Butler, in partnership with the Butler County Assistance Office, is offering rental assistance for persons in (or formerly in) the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Program. Eligibility of families to participate is based on meeting the Section 8 income eligibility requirements and be TANF eligible*.
(*currently receiving TANF, eligible to receive TANF, or have received TANF at any time since January 1997).
The Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded the Butler County Housing Authority this past year 300 Section 8 Rental Vouchers valued at over six million dollars over the next five years. The award is being used exclusively to assist families' to move from welfare to work. The Butler County Housing Authority was one of four in Pennsylvania, the only one in Western Pennsylvania, to receive this highly competitive award. Receiving the additional rental housing assistance vouchers was due largely in part, to the strong community collaboration of the Housing Authority with other local agencies and in particular, the Butler County Assistance Office. "Without the support and commitment to welfare reform by staff at the local Assistance Office, we would not have received and have been able to implement this award," commented Perry O'Malley, Housing Authority Executive Director. Both agencies have worked closely together on shared welfare to work initiatives for the past five years.
The welfare-to-work housing vouchers, which are being provided this year for the first time, will subsidize rents of families receiving welfare assistance, and those recently leaving the welfare system. These vouchers will enable families to rent apartments near available jobs, transportation, or childcare.
For more information, please contact Ms. Gina McClaine, Section 8 Coordinator or Ms. Rebecca Veith, Resident Initiatives Coordinator at (724) 287-6797 Monday - Friday, 8:30a.m. - 4:30p.m.
Homeownership Program Receives Two Awards
NAHRO recognizes the Housing Authority of the County of Butler with a Merit Award for its Homeownership Program. The award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in housing and community development programs throughout the nation, was presented to Mr. Robert Hartnett, Chairman of the Board of Directors.
"NAHRO" is proud to recognize the achievements of these agencies that use creativity and innovation to develop programs with an ongo ing commitment to excellence," said NAHRO President, Karen Thoreson. "These agencies are accomplishing remarkable levels of service for their communities and their residents. They are setting up programs and standards that can be duplicated by other agencies around the county."
The Butler County Housing Authority was presented the 2000 Bellamy Award for its Homeownership Program during the Presidential Reception at the Annual Fall Conference held in September. Ms. Maria Stephenson accepted the award for the agency. The Bellamy Award recognizes outstanding achievement by member agencies during the past year in two major categories. The Authority’s successful submission was under the Community Public/Community Services portion of the Community Development/Redevelopment Category.
The Butler County Homeownership Program administered by the Butler County Housing Authority, makes the homeownership dream a reality for traditionally under-served low- moderate income families. The program’s unique and innovative "one-stop" shop consortium of thirty public and private partners brings all of the components necessary for successful homeownership together and provides comprehensive services: pre-qualification, credit/budget counseling, downpayment/closing costs assistance, special first-time homebuyer mortgage programs , homebuyer education, and homebuyer fairs. The Program targets disadvantaged Butler County families including those having difficulty achieving homeownership due to credit problems, divorce, bankruptcy, disabilities, and insufficient income. Over 230 families are currently receiving homeownership services which are free, with case management provided for a minimum of 2 years. To date, 315 families have participated in the program.
"NAHRO" is proud to recognize the achievements of these agencies that use creativity and innovation to develop programs with an ongo ing commitment to excellence," said NAHRO President, Karen Thoreson. "These agencies are accomplishing remarkable levels of service for their communities and their residents. They are setting up programs and standards that can be duplicated by other agencies around the county."
The Butler County Housing Authority was presented the 2000 Bellamy Award for its Homeownership Program during the Presidential Reception at the Annual Fall Conference held in September. Ms. Maria Stephenson accepted the award for the agency. The Bellamy Award recognizes outstanding achievement by member agencies during the past year in two major categories. The Authority’s successful submission was under the Community Public/Community Services portion of the Community Development/Redevelopment Category.
The Butler County Homeownership Program administered by the Butler County Housing Authority, makes the homeownership dream a reality for traditionally under-served low- moderate income families. The program’s unique and innovative "one-stop" shop consortium of thirty public and private partners brings all of the components necessary for successful homeownership together and provides comprehensive services: pre-qualification, credit/budget counseling, downpayment/closing costs assistance, special first-time homebuyer mortgage programs , homebuyer education, and homebuyer fairs. The Program targets disadvantaged Butler County families including those having difficulty achieving homeownership due to credit problems, divorce, bankruptcy, disabilities, and insufficient income. Over 230 families are currently receiving homeownership services which are free, with case management provided for a minimum of 2 years. To date, 315 families have participated in the program.