Speaking at a home on West Wayne Street that is part of the West End Housing Revitalization Initiative being expanded by the new grant, Congressman English said Butler is one of only eight communitites across three states to receive such grants.  He commended the City's Redevelopment Authority which jointly administers the West End program with the County's Housing and Redevelopment Authorities, for taking the lead in securing the funds.

"Programs like these are integral to improving the quality of life for local residents," said Congressman English, who was joined by Mayor Margaret Stock and officials of the Redevelopment Authorities.  "The fact that Butler was one of a select number of communities to receive this money demonstrates a genuine need - the need for safe, fully functional, affordable housing for all members of the community.  I believe today's grant announcement represents the kind of successful social investment that we can all work together on and be proud of."

"Much of the housing in our area is in need of substantial repair or rehabilitation," Mayor Stock remarked.  "The grant we announce today will help additional homeowners of limited income stretch their dollars and in some cases, literally put a better roof over their head.  This fix-up effort will expand the thrust of our overall initiative and have a noticeable effect on the West End," the mayor said.

"This grant is great news for homeowners of modest means who didn't qualify for home improvement grants under the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's HOME program," added Perry O'Malley, Executive Director of the Butler County and City Redevelopment Authorities.  "HOME funded repair work for homeowners with incomes up to 60 percent of the median area income.  These grants will permit individuals with incomes between 61 and 80 percent of median income to make much-needed improvements to their properties, allowing us to expand the reach of our joint initiative."

The West End Housing Revitalization Initiative incorporates ten target areas of activity: the Butler County Homeownership Program, Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program, Leadership by Example Program, Emergency Repair Program, Pennsylvania Access Grant Program, Rental Housing Improvement Program, In-Fill Housing Program, Brownfields for Housing Program, Blight Removal Program and Curbs and Sidewalks.

NexTier Bank is distributing the grant money announced today.  The grant was awarded by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank Pittsburgh) in a competitive application  process as part of its 2007 Homeownership Rehabilitation Program.  A maximum of $15,000 can be disbursed per homeowner, who must live in the home that is being improved.

Congressman English pointed out that although the median year of construction for single-family homes in Pennsylvania is 1957, the national average is 1971 - one fact that led the Butler County Commissioners and the City of Butler to unite in a fight against housing deterioration, blight and vacancy.

To qualify for the rehab grants, rehab work performed on local homes must accomplish one or more of the following objectives: 1) provide energy efficiency, 2) improve accessibility for the handicapped, the elderly or both, 3) complement public/private investment to revitalize a community or neighborhood, 4) reflect a new or existing community plan or strategy, 5) result in more than 50% of the homeowners assisted having incomes at or below 50% of the area median income, 6) target blocks with less than 10% vacancy or blocks where development projects are in the pipeline and will reduce the vacancy rate to less than 10 percent.