LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP: Housing investments help expand 2 programs for older adults

WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Department of Aging, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging (P4A), announced this week that $425,000 of the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement funding will be invested in two innovative housing programs that help older adults stay in their homes and communities.

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency provided a $225,000 grant for the expansion of the Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity, which will fund the construction of a cottage in Perry County.

PHFA also awarded a $200,000 grant to facilitate and expand the Shared Housing and Resource Exchange (SHARE) initiative, which is currently operating in 14 counties.

“Affordable housing remains an issue facing our aging population in every corner of the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. “Innovative housing projects like ECHO cottages and the SHARE program are two beneficial alternatives that we need to highlight when trying to find solutions for this growing concern. These housing programs support independence and dignity of older adults while allowing them to age in their own homes and their communities.”

Elder cottages are small, separate, manufactured residences for older adults that are temporarily placed in the side or backyard of a host family (relatives or close friends). The arrangement provides autonomy for its resident along with easy access to family or friends who can provide assistance. When living requirements of the resident change, the cottage will be relocated to the home of another host family.

All seniors served are lower income and pay no more than 30% of their monthly incomes to reside in the cottage. The cottages will be made available through a local collaboration between the AAAs and a local housing partner.

SHARE is an affordable housing choice that brings together home hosts who have extra room in their home with home seekers who are looking for housing, in exchange for rent, help around the house, or a combination of both. Program participants must be at least 18 years of age, and one of the individuals in the match must be over 60.

Online auction to open for surplus PennDOT equipment

The Pennsylvania Department of General Services announced this week an upcoming online auction giving the public an opportunity to bid on a wide range of surplus Commonwealth equipment — including off-road equipment, dump trucks and more.

The public auction will open on June 23, and run through July 7, offering Pennsylvanians a chance to purchase high-quality, previously state-owned equipment used by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

“From municipal fleets to individual buyers, this is a cost-effective way to access reliable heavy equipment that still has plenty of life left,” said DGS Secretary Reggie McNeil. “We’re always excited to make surplus property available in a way that supports sustainability, transparency, and ultimately provides added taxpayer value.”

The auction will be conducted entirely online through GovPlanet, where the full inventory will be posted ahead of the sale. Interested buyers must first register with GovPlanet before being able to browse, inspect (by appointment), and place bids through the secure auction platform.

Key Details:

• Public auction dates: June 23 – July 7.

• Auction platform: https://www.govplanet.com/penndot-public.

• In-person inspections: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 24 through 26 at 5 Mountain Rd., Grantville. Inspections are by appointment only. To schedule, contact Jody Eberly at [email protected].

• Items available: Off-road equipment, dump trucks, PennDOT surplus and more.

For information or assistance with account setup, contact GovPlanet Customer Service at 1-844-225-8799, or [email protected].

Annual conference on foster care, adoption services held

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services hosted the 33rd Annual Pennsylvania Permanency Conference this week in Monroe County, bringing together child welfare professionals, current and prospective foster or adoptive families, kinship care providers, and others to collaborate and learn ways to help children and families through the adoption and permanency process.

The Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network began in 1992, and since then, it has made nearly 59,000 adoptions in Pennsylvania possible. Pennsylvania averages 2,000 finalized adoptions from the child welfare system each fiscal year.

There are more than 12,400 Pennsylvania children served in out-of-home care every six months, and nearly three thousand of those youth are in need of forever homes.

“Every year we gather to recognize the dedicated people — county agency staff, foster and adoptive parents, child welfare professionals — who work every day to find Pennsylvania’s children and youth their forever home,” said DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “This work is vital, because every single one of Pennsylvania’s children deserves to grow and thrive in a safe, loving environment, and parents deserve support and partnership in raising healthy, happy children. I am incredibly proud that we have been able to achieve this for almost 59,000 Pennsylvania children, and I urge anyone who may have a place in their heart and in their home for a child to please consider adoption so we may continue this progress.”

The Annual Pennsylvania Permanency Conference’s mission is to prepare children and their families for their journey towards permanency, educate and support all those involved in finding permanent homes for Pennsylvania’s foster children and provide an opportunity for children to be matched with prospective foster and adoptive families.

The conference also includes an awards ceremony recognizing those who help children and youth achieve permanent homes.

House approves funding for mass transit, road and bridge repairs

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives this week passed Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposal to deliver funding for mass transit systems in all 67 counties in a bipartisan vote — marking the fourth time the House has taken action to advance this critical investment in our economy, workforce, and infrastructure.

The governor is now urging both parties in the Senate to come together and pass this comprehensive, bipartisan plan to secure the future of mass transit in Pennsylvania.

“My proposal to fund mass transit just passed the PA House for the fourth time,” said Shapiro. “This bipartisan bill injects critical dollars into public transit across Pennsylvania and adds new funding to repair roads and bridges — because folks rely on both to get where they need to go. It’s time for the Senate to get this funding done in this year’s budget.”

In addition to transit funding, the governor supported an amendment to this bill that includes additional investments in Pennsylvania’s roads and bridges — helping to improve infrastructure in every corner of the Commonwealth.

Mass transit isn’t just about Pennsylvania’s largest cities — it’s essential statewide. Rural shared-ride services alone provide 2.6 million trips a year for seniors, helping them get to doctor’s appointments, grocery stores, and more. According to the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association, public transit supports over 39,000 jobs and drives $5.4 billion in economic activity across the Commonwealth.

The governor’s proposal does not raise taxes — instead it increases the portion of the existing Sales and Use Tax dedicated to public transit, from 7.68% to 9.43%, providing $292 million in new annual funding next year and more than $330 million annually by 2029–30.

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.