Own Our Solutions: Legislature Approves Housing Relief Funds
Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House and Senate passed my housing relief plan with $193 million from federal CARES funds. The Governor signed this legislation today.
The housing relief plan will provide $150 million for rental assistance, $25 million for mortgage assistance, $10 million for homelessness assistance, and $8 million in legal aid. This is a big victory.
Advocates for the housing plan included the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, the Housing Alliance, ACTION-Housing, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, the Philadelphia Housing Authority, and Regional Housing Legal Services. |
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2 June Primary Election
Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties are providing drop-off locations for mail-in ballots. These locations have been implemented to ensure that ballots are received at county election offices by the 8 p.m. 2 June deadline. If you have received a mail-in ballot, please submit your ballot at one of these locations to ensure your vote will be counted. Please note you can only submit your own completed ballot. You cannot submit a ballot for someone else.
For Philadelphia residents, the Office of the Philadelphia City Commissioners location in the Northwest that will be available for ballot drop-off on Monday is:
- 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. Central High School, 1700 West Olney Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19141
On Election Day, these Office of the Philadelphia City Commissioners locations in the Northwest will be available for ballot drop-off between 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.:
- Councilwoman Bass’s Office, 4439A Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144;
- West Oak Lane Library, 2000 Washington Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19138; or
- Wadsworth Library, 1500 Wadsworth Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19150.
For Montgomery County residents, the Montgomery County Voter Services website lists ballot drop-off locations available through 8 p.m. on 2 June. There is one location in my district for ballot drop-off:
- Willow Grove-Eastern Court House Annex, 102 North York Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090.
If you have not received your mail-in ballot, you can still vote in person. Please visit the Department of State website to find your polling place for the 2 June primary. Please be safe, wear a mask and remember your vote is your voice.
Mail Ballot Extension Update
Earlier this week, I proposed legislation to extend the deadline for mail-in ballots to seven days after the election. County offices statewide have been flooded with vote-by-mail applications. They need relief to ensure that all requested mail-in ballots are sent, returned and counted. There is already a seven-day extension for overseas and military absentee ballots. An extension for mail-in ballots would have granted significant relief to counties and voters.
Unfortunately, my effort failed to pass in the PA Senate. We will keep fighting. Thank you for your support. If you have additional thoughts on this proposal, please email me at [email protected].
PHEAA Approves Supplement for PA Grant Program
As a member of the board of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), I am pleased to announce that PHEAA has approved a $15 million supplement to the PA State Grant Program for the 2020-2021 academic year. These funds support over 120,000 college students with a maximum award of $4,123. Distance learning students will be eligible for the full amount of the grant in the 2020-2021 academic year, as well. For more information on the PA State Grant, please visit the PHEAA website.
Musical Mood Boost
What better way to celebrate an important housing initiative than with a dynamic mood boost? “It’s My House” by Diana Ross: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO93p3ZZ8Xw
Be the Light,
Art Haywood
State Senator
4th District
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