FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                Contact: Gretchen M. Wintermantel
Jan. 24, 2007                                                                                      202.225.6511    

      Kanjorski Announces $120,000 Grant for Transitional Housing for Veterans and Young Adults

Wilkes-Barre, Pa. - Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) today announced that the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank) has extended a total of $120,000 in Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grants to create new transitional housing for homeless veterans and young adults in Wilkes-Barre and Plains Township.

In Plains Township, six new units of housing will be made available to single homeless veterans who are experiencing serious mental health and substance abuse problems. To be located on the campus of the Wilkes-Barre Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the new housing will provide challenged veterans with easy, on-site referral to a variety of medical, psychiatric and substance abuse services. All six units will be wheelchair accessible.

Residents will receive case management and supportive services to help them improve job and life skills including improvement of financial planning skills and computer literacy. Homeless veterans will be able to live in this supportive environment for up to 24 months as they become increasingly self-sufficient. The FHLBank is releasing $60,000 for these new units of veterans housing.

"The Affordable Housing Program grant for veterans transitional housing will provide six veterans with a roof over their heads as well as access to critical medical and support services at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center. The Commission on Economic Opportunity is sponsoring the transitional program to help these veterans become more self-sufficient," said Congressman Kanjorski. "In addition, the Federal Home Loan Bank has awarded a second grant for transitional rental housing for young adults who have exceeded the age limit for the child welfare and foster care system. Volunteers of America is sponsoring the program with the goal of helping these young people find sustainable, permanent housing after about 18 months. I am proud of the Federal Home Loan Bank's continued investment in the communities that it serves."

The second AHP grant, also for $60,000, will help provide seven units of transitional rental housing serving eight homeless individuals between the ages of 18 and 25. The units will be created at an existing three-story building being rehabilitated and renamed Manna House Apartments at 25 North River St. in Wilkes-Barre. Four of the units will be dedicated to homeless individuals diagnosed with mental illness. The grant is sponsored by Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania, which will move its offices into the new complex.

Manna House will be staffed around the clock with trained support personnel who will assist these young people who are struggling for independence and self-sufficiency to find safe, affordable, and permanent housing along with a productive skill. Manna House Apartments is within walking distance of employment opportunities, religious facilities, several colleges and recreational opportunities.

Each year, FHLBank sets aside 10 percent of its net income to fund AHP. Since the program was inaugurated in 1990, AHP has released approximately $125 million in affordable housing grants for projects across Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

FHLBank, a wholesale bank using private capital, not taxpayer funds, distributes AHP dollars through its member financial institutions to community sponsors and project developers, empowering individuals and families and improving neighborhoods.