PA housing revitalized through with programs and legislation 

The Whole Home Repair Act, a new bipartisan bill with $125 million in grants, could assist low-income and middle-income homeowners and landlords with 15 units or fewer.

The bill addresses loan forgiveness and funding for property owners to repair and preserve existing structures and even prevent blight.

Programming may also allow for workforce development efforts.

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Pittsburg homeless center expands services

As of September 2022, 200 of the 650 homeless individuals in Allegheny County lacked shelter.

A facility in Downtown Pittsburgh can now assist, however, with new pet-friendly housing consisting of 95 bunkbeds yearly, 135 beds in the winter, and 43 dorm-style rooms with kitchen appliances.

Additional healthcare and veterinarian resources and safety measures will be provided without charge. 

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Philadelphia provides reentry program for women

The Women’s Reentry Program, a pilot in Philadelphia, offers rehabilitation support to women on probation.

These efforts have been thoroughly successful so far, with no participants returning to incarceration.

The program has been increasing in popularity due to its pay, flexibility, recreational projects, and workshops at 12 different centers. 

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Halfway houses can make or break a successful reentry

National companies are taking over the halfway house business and for-profit motivation is hindering successful re-entry.

Feedback on the conditions overseen by two national companies reveal prison-like systems and limited, if any, rehabilitative programming.

Advocates are working to improve these operations. 

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Safe and consistent housing changes lives

The nonprofit Fiftyfifty derives funding from its newspaper and art gallery, which features some of the biggest names in contemporary art.

The artists donate their work for auction, and Fiftyfifty uses the revenue to purchase permanent housing for the city’s unsheltered residents.

These individuals pay only small fees to contribute to the expenses.

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Pandemic policies improve flexibility of OUD treatments

Take-home methadone and telehealth positively impact treatment of Opioid Use Disorder.

Former restrictive policies were lifted during COVID and remain in effect for 12 months after conclusion of the public health emergency.

Given the promising outcomes, it is incumbent upon federal legislators to make these changes permanent. 

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