BELLEFONTE —Centre County Commissioners on Tuesday, Sept. 1 announced recipients of grant awards for affordable housing projects and adopted a proclamation designating September as Hunger Action Month.
2026 CASH Program Grant Awards
The Construction and Acquisition/Rehabilitation for Sustainable Housing Program — or CASH Program — supports affordable housing projects, including construction, acquisition, and rehabilitation of homes.
Ray Stolinas, Director of Planning and Community Development for the County, shared that four applicants detailed projects totaling over $975,000. The County’s CASH Grant funds total $250,000, which Stolinas noted would provide considerable support toward the projects’ total overall costs.
State College Community Land Trust was awarded $50,000 ($25,000/home) and will use their awarded funds to preserve and rehabilitate two single-family homes in State College Borough, one of which will be acquired in the fall. Both of these units will serve households at or below 80% of the Area Media Income. These homes will remain affordable for 99 or more years.
The HOME Foundation was awarded $50,000 to rehabilitate and resell a single-family home in State College Borough. Once rehabilitated, the home will be sold to a first-time homebuyer who earns between 60% and 80% of the AMI. This home will remain affordable for 99 or more years.
Habitat for Humanity for Greater Centre County/Centre County Housing Land Trust was awarded $65,000 to rehabilitate a one-story, single-family home in Patton Township. This project entails demolition, property modifications, HVAC work, internal renovations, and cosmetic upgrades. The home will serve households earning between 40% and 80% of the AMI, and the home will remain permanently affordable for 99 or more years.
Habitat for Humanity for Greater Centre County’s will also receive a funding boost, being awarded $50,000. This award will support the Homeowners Repairs Program, which provides up to $10,000 over a 10-year period to homeowners earning below 80% of the AMI and undertaking repairs on their homes. This program receives roughly 50 calls per month from residents in need, and in its first year of service, the program served 20 households.
Commmissioners approved the CASH Grant Program agenda item, thanking all of
the applicants for their commitment to and partnership in providing affordable housing to Centre County residents.
Hunger Action Month
Commissioners also adopted a Hunger Action Month proclamation, hoping to raise awareness of growing local food security concerns and encourage community action in addressing these concerns.
Representatives from the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank joined the commissioners for the proclamation. These representatives painted a picture of the significance of food insecurity in the area. Almost 2 million Pennsylvanians, including one in every five children, experience food insecurity. Locally, one in eight residents and one in six children in Centre County face food insecurity. Due to a combination of rising food costs, decreases in support services, and other factors, there is a record level of demand for food assistance.
In Fiscal Year 2026, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank distributed over 60 million pounds of food in Pennsylvania, with 2.1 million pounds coming to Centre County alone.
In addition to raising awareness, the proclamation sought to encourage public and private entities to take collective action in addressing hunger. From concerned citizens to farmers to business leaders and policymakers, each person can play a role in making Centre County residents happier and healthier through volunteering or making donations to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank (www.centralpafoodbank.org) or other local food banks.
For people facing food insecurity and interested in information about food assistance programs, location, and related resources, please visit the Centre County Office of Adult Services’ website (https://centrecountypa.gov/312/Food-Assistance) or call the Office at 814- 355-6768.
