528 Pennsylvania Access Grant Program guidelines

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Pennsylvania Access Grant Program Guidelines

[30 Pa.B. 1659]

   The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) in conjunction with the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) has developed the Pennsylvania Access Grant Program (PAGP). DCED is the Agency that will administer this new program. Total funding available under this program is $1,850,000. DPW is providing $1,350,000 and DCED is providing $500,000 from the Communities of Opportunity Program in accordance with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Housing and Redevelopment Assistance Law (Act 477 of 1955).

   The goal of this program is to provide low and moderate income persons with permanent disabilities increased accessibility in their current home. This goal can be accomplished by providing home modification grants to low and moderate income persons with disabilities.

   Eligible applicants include redevelopment authorities and general-purpose units of local government such as counties, cities, boroughs, townships and home rule municipalities. Non-profits must apply through a unit of local government or a redevelopment authority. Applicants must demonstrate sufficient capacity to administer a home modification program. Collaboration with local disability service organizations must be demonstrated. These funds may not be used to modify units owned and operated by public housing authorities or a facility licensed by DPW or the Department of Health, for support services, to correct code violations, for relocation expenses, or escrowed to return the unit to its original condition.

   Eligible activities include adaptive modifications such as ramps, lifts, door widening, visual doorbells, audio phones, visual phone signalers, lowering of kitchen counters, enlarging bathrooms, adding grab bars, and the like. Modifications must accomplish at least one of the following: improve the ability of a person with disabilities to enter or exit the home; increase the ability of a person with disabilities to perform activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living; or, enable a person with disabilities to remain in the home which will prevent institutionalization.

   Guidelines for the administration and application of these funds have been prepared by DCED and are available on the Internet at www.dced.state.pa.us. Click on ''Improving Your Community'' and click on ''Housing and Infrastructure''. A copy of these guidelines can be obtained at any of the following locations:

Office of Community Devel-    opment and Housing	Central Regional Office 576 Forum Building
502 Forum Building	Harrisburg, PA 17120
Harrisburg, PA 17120	[phone]
[phone]
Southeast Regional Office	Southwest Regional Office
908 State Office Building	413 State Office Building
Broad and Spring Garden    Streets	300 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Philadelphia, PA 19130	[phone]
[phone]
Northeast Regional Office	Northwest Regional Office
201 Samters Building	212 Lovell Place
101 Penn Avenue	Erie, PA 16503
Scranton, PA 18503	[phone]
[phone]

SAMUEL A. MCCULLOUGH,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 00-528. Filed for public inspection March 24, 2000, 9:00 a.m.]