Planning Department receives grant

April 29, 2011

Pictured are members of the Elk County Planning Department. Photo by Gian DeLoia.

The Elk County Planning Department recently procured a $138,000 grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development for the Pa. Accessible Housing Program.
The program will provide approximately 8-10 accessibility modifications to residents in Elk, Cameron, McKean and Potter counties.
“We anticipate doing two to three projects per county in order to disperse that money,” said Richard Gavazzi, housing specialist for Elk County Planning Department. “Which is great.”
Gavazzi initially requested approximately $266,320 for the program.
“I believe I stated numerous times throughout our meetings here and different meetings throughout our daily work schedule that this program was in serious jeopardy of being deleted completely out of the budget,” Gavazzi said. “Fortunately for us we did get that $138,000 and we are going to continue to move forward with the accessibility program.
“Sharon [office manager Sharon Burns] and I get calls daily for this program. This is our program that requires a significant need here.”
Twelve thousand dollars is budgeted for each modification.