$250,000 Grant Awarded to Increase Accessibility for Dauphin County Residents

(Camp Hill, Pa.) – The non-profit organization, Center for Independent Living of Central PA (CILCP), who provides services to people with all types of disabilities recently received a $250,000 Pennsylvania Accessible Housing Program Grant from Governor Rendell’s administration. The grant is to be spent over the next two years on housing modifications for residents with permanent disabilities who have low to moderate-incomes. The residents receiving accessibility modifications must live in Dauphin County. 

 

Lynn Stewart, administer of this program and Director of Housing for CILCP stated, “We are thrilled that the grant will allow Dauphin County to have their own pool of money to better serve more people with disabilities. Making houses more accessible means that less people with disabilities have to enter institutions in order to live their daily lives.” Stewart has been working with people with disabilities to create or improve the accessibility in their homes for six years. 

 

Currently, applications are being accepted for the waiting list to be considered to receive funds from the grant.  A person’s eligibility is based on income, and once eligible, Stewart personally interviews all candidates to ensure their wants and needs are feasible.  The grant covers many forms of modifications, such as renovations of bathrooms, creation of ramps, and widening of doorways.  Depending on the requirements of those candidates selected, Stewart hopes the grant will help 10 to 15 people per year.

 

As Director of Housing for CILCP, Stewart often collaborates with local contractors who understand the requirements and needs in making a home more accessible.  The contractors participating in this initiative have started making three bathrooms and one kitchen/living area more accessible.  Ultimately, Stewart hopes the money will be able to aid people in living as independently as possible for as long as possible. 

 

As one of the Center for Independent Living of Central PA’s many services, the organization provides individuals and families with disabilities the opportunity to receive recommendations for making a home accessible. From providing advice on what kind of changes can be made, and what type of budget is necessary, to what resources are available for payment plans.  Individuals are also provided information about the Living Well With A Disability program, which allows people with disabilities to find other opportunities and resources that they may not have known existed – in all aspects of life.

 

For more information on the PA Accessible Housing Program, please contact Lynn Stewart at 717-731-1900 ext. 21.

 

About CILCP

The Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania (CILCP) is a consumer controlled, cross disability organization dedicated to assisting people with disabilities to achieve and maintain independent life styles.  The organization assists individuals with any type of disability to find resources available to meet their needs, wishes and aspirations through Living Well With A Disability. To learn more about the CILCP visit their Web site at www.cilcp.org, and to learn more about Living Well With A Disability, visit www.livingwellwithadisability.org.

 

For more information regarding this press release, please contact Megan Kurtz at Megan@TheSuasionWay.com or (717) 432 – 2468.

 

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