U.S. Senator John Fetterman announced that $289,366,974 in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) will be used to support 121 projects throughout Pennsylvania.
Erie will receive $3,100,000 which will go between two projects. Erie County Cornerstone Community Land Trust Affordable Housing Program will receive $1,100,000 to help acquire property, remove property, and construct new affordable housing.
“The Cornerstone Community Land Trust is excited to utilize the awarded appropriation funds from Senator Fetterman’s office to grow our inventory of affordable homes. We are using a multifaceted approach to increase the possibilities of homeownership throughout Erie County with new residential construction, the strengthening of neighborhoods, and the creation of a county-wide land trust for permanently affordable housing. These homes will allow for low-income homebuyers to achieve their dreams and bring housing stability to their families for generations,” said Jeremy Bloeser, Executive Director of Erie County Land Bank.
The second project receiving funds is the Erie Coke Demolition Project which will receive $2,000,000 for the first phase of demolition.
“We appreciate Senator Fetterman’s advocacy and continued support on this crucial project in our community, as this grant enables us to begin demolition work on the former Erie Coke site. This is an important first step on a cleanup project that addresses a critical need in our community, here on the East side of Erie,” said Julie Slomski, Executive Director of the Erie-Western PA Port Authority.
Crawford county will receive $1,500,000 for two projects. The Revitalizing Upper Water Street in Meadville project will receive $750,000 for affordable housing construction.
“Meadville desperately needs affordable homes. Lower income households have few, if any, good options in this market. Employers are struggling to recruit and retain the workers they need. Our downtown needs density to thrive. These funds will be used to transform vacant land on a central corridor into six new, energy-efficient, affordable homes for working families,” said Julie Wilson, Ph.D., Executive Director of Common Roots.
The second project in Crawford County receiving funding is the French Creek Force Main Replacement. $750,000 will be used to replace the force main in the Meadville Area that operates under French Creek.