West Chester, Pa. (October 27, 2026) – Seven organizations will receive state funding to address food security, support affordable and senior housing, educate students in need, and revitalize communities in Chester County.
The investments were awarded through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP), which provides tax credits to businesses that help low-income individuals and improve distressed areas in Pennsylvania communities.
“Through the Neighborhood Assistance Program, businesses can play an even greater role in helping local communities succeed and grow,” Comitta said. “When families have access to healthy food, people have stable housing in safe communities, and entrepreneurs have opportunities to chase their dreams, we all benefit through economic growth and a stronger quality of life.”
The NAP program has five main components: The Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP), Special Program Priorities (SPP), the Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP), Charitable Food Program (CFP), and the Enterprise Zone Program (EZP).
The funding, which was recently approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), is as follows:
CHP
- $117,000 for the Chester County Food Bank to support efforts to address food insecurity in local communities as the demand continues to increase.
NAP
- $65,000 for the Alliance for Health Equity to support major upgrades that preserve senior housing, improve safety, boost community engagement, and expand care at the Brandywine Center in Coatesville
NPP
- $142,500 for Chester County Futures to support low-resourced students with guidance and opportunities to develop in-demand skills and help them grow into educated, skilled workers.
- $142,500 for the Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance to support a dedicated, full-time Downtown Business Manager, Made in Coatesville incubator programs, an entrepreneurship platform, and continued planning/site selection for the larger Culinary Collective shared kitchen.
SPP
- $54,000 for Good Neighbors to provide critical home repairs for eight low-income homeowners in southern Chester County.
- $31,500 for the Housing Partnership of Chester County to rehabilitate three Chester County homes for affordable resale, preserving housing stock and helping income-qualified first-time buyers achieve sustainable homeownership.
- $22,500 for RSVP Volunteers to provide essential digital literacy training and critical Math and Reading support to at-risk and vulnerable individuals in Chester County.
The Chester County investments come as part of the $70 million in total NAP support awarded to 405 projects across the Commonwealth, including 87 in the southeast region.
“These Neighborhood Assistance Program projects will deliver meaningful benefits for individuals and families, support low-income areas in ways few programs can, and promote the vital public-private partnerships that put communities on a path to fiscal health and long-term prosperity,” said Pennsylvania DCED Secretary Rick Siger. “The Shapiro Administration is committed to strengthening our communities because we know that the entire Commonwealth thrives when our neighborhoods are healthy and vibrant.”
Through the NAP program, businesses can receive tax credits of up to 95 percent on contributions they make to a qualifying community project.
Last year’s state budget, which Comitta supported and voted for, doubled NAP funding from $36 million to $72 million.
For more information on the NAP program, visit www.dced.pa.gov/programs/neighborhood-assistance-program-nap.
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