West Chester, PA (June 15, 2026) – Thirteen Chester County organizations working to prevent homelessness, promote affordable housing, support emergency shelters, and help people achieve financial self-sufficiency were awarded more than $2.9 million in total state funding to support their efforts, state Senator Carolyn Comitta announced today.
“As families continue to grapple with rising inflation and increased costs on everything from gas to groceries to utility services, many have less money at the end of the month to pay for rent, mortgage payments, or necessary home repairs,” Comitta said. “These investments can help people stay in their homes, access emergency shelters, and enhance affordable housing opportunities, so that everyone has a safe and healthy place to live.”
The funding was approved by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) program.
The 2024-25 state budget included a $10 million annual increase until 2027 for the PHARE Fund, raising the cap to $100 million by 2027.
“PHARE is one of the most effective tools we have to expand access to safe, affordable housing in every corner of the Commonwealth,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “That’s why we’ve nearly doubled our investment in PHARE, giving local communities more resources to meet those needs, tackle the housing crisis, and help more Pennsylvanians stay in their homes.”
The grants, which supported 17 projects in the 19th Senatorial District, are as follows:
- $200,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Chester County to provide vital repair services to 10 families. The Habitat Home Repair program addresses critical health and safety issues in their homes, accessibility issues for seniors and people with disabilities, and housing code violations. The program is designed to serve struggling homeowners by alleviating substandard living conditions and preserving existing affordable housing stock.
- $50,000 for North Star of Chester Countyto prevent homelessness and promote self-sufficiency for working single-parent families. The program provides ongoing rental assistance, paid directly to landlords, to help families maintain housing, as well as funding for children’s programs, gas and grocery gift cards, and access to an office pantry. In addition, case managers offer budget counseling and financial mentorship to guide parents toward financial independence.
- $125,000 for the W.C. Atkinson Memorial Community Service Center to prevent homelessness through individualized intensive case management. The center takes a “housing-first” approach that includes providing shelter and a pathway to independence and stability.
- $300,000 for renovations to the W.C. Atkinson Apartments, an 18-unit Low Income Housing Tax Credit community originally developed in 1991. The historically significant site remains a critical source of affordable housing in Coatesville.
- $80,000 for Open Hearth’s Continuum of Care Permanent Supportive Housing (CoC) Program, which provides rental and utility assistance as well as critical supportive services to approximately 72 households each year. The program prioritizes serving households facing significant challenges, including those already experiencing homelessness, heads of households who have disabilities, and those with criminal convictions or no income.
- $300,000 for the Housing Partnership of Chester County to provide critical repairs and modifications for homes owned or rented by low-income residents. The program targets seniors in need of disability modifications, residents living in unsafe conditions, and residents managing a history of code violations that are a barrier to addressing safety concerns.
- $50,000 for the Housing Partnership of Chester County’s First Time Home Buyer and Financial Counseling Program , which provides free financial education to members of the community. Counseling is provided by a HUD-certified housing counselor (English or Spanish) and available to low- and moderate-income Chester County residents. Group financial education classes are offered throughout the county at various locations. Individual counseling and support are also available to income-qualified clients.
- $250,000 for Chester County Department of Community Development for the Pathways to Permanent Housing program, which supports the creative housing solutions fund, call center, consulting services, and vehicle maintenance, each of which is integral to address housing insecurity while contributing to the overall economic stability of Chester County.
- $100,000 for the Friends Association for the Care and Protection of Children to support its emergency family shelter, the only in Chester County that accepts all family compositions and offers ADA-accessible units. In addition to providing apartment-style emergency housing, the organization helps families experiencing homelessness secure permanent housing, increase income, and build essential life skills.
- $150,000 for the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County’s homelessness prevention direct service programs, and to continue its Security, Safety, and Accessibility Project (SSA Project), which is currently funded through other public and private partnerships.
- $175,000 for Brandywine Valley Active Aging to provide fast, targeted interventions to quickly rehouse seniors and stabilize them in safe, dignified housing while longer-term affordability solutions continue to develop. The funds are expected to impact at least 30 households.
- $200,000 for Safe Harbor of Chester County to continue to deliver trauma-informed shelter, case management, clinical counseling, day programming, and rapid re-housing assistance for 150 adults each year. As the county’s largest shelter and only option for single women, Safe Harbor works to reduce homelessness and strengthen long-term housing stability for those facing the greatest barriers.
- $275,000 for the Housing Authority of Chester County to renovate 17 housing units to meet the urgent need for affordable housing in the County of Chester. With a housing waitlist of 2100, these funds will target homelessness and scarcity specifically for vulnerable groups, such as seniors, people with disabilities, and underserved populations in Chester County.
- $250,000 for the Housing Authority of Chester County’s Second Chance Academy. The program aligns immediate housing support and placement with intensive training, job assistance, and entrepreneurship coaching for individuals who are returning from incarceration, families experiencing homelessness, and households at risk of eviction.
- $300,000 for the Movement Community Development Corporation to rehabilitate and strengthen 28 naturally occurring affordable housing units across the City of Coatesville. The units collectively support low-income families, single mothers, veterans, and working-class residents, many of whom would face displacement without intervention.
- $75,000 for Good Samaritan Services to provide housing, resources, and supportive services to individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Lancaster and Chester Counties. Through emergency shelter, transitional housing, and affordable housing, participants stabilize, secure permanent homes, and achieve independence. The program also offers personalized case management, employment support, financial education, and mental health counseling to address the root causes of homelessness.
- $75,000 for Good Samaritan Services’ Counseling Program, which provides trauma-informed, client-centered therapy for individuals and families across Lancaster and Chester Counties who are overcoming homelessness, instability, and poverty-related challenges. The program integrates mental health support with housing stabilization services, ensuring clients receive holistic care that addresses both emotional and environmental needs.
The investments in Senate District 19 are part of $93.4 million in total funding awarded through PHARE to support 432 housing and community development initiatives statewide. In total, they will preserve 1,662 affordable housing units, create 49 new single-family homes, and support more than 134,000 families in danger of homelessness. At least $74.6 million (79 percent) of the $93.4 million allocated funds housing projects benefiting households with incomes below 50 percent of the area median income.
The PHARE Fund was established by Act 105 of 2010 to assist with the creation, rehabilitation, and support of affordable housing throughout Pennsylvania. The program receives funding from two sources, the Marcellus Shale Impact Fee and Realty Transfer Taxes.
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