State/County - Bensalem Township

Bucks Lawmakers Announce Grants of 870K to Address Housing Needs

Published

5 years ago

June 17, 2021

Press Release:

State Reps. Tina Davis, John Galloway and Perry Warren announced $870,000 in funding has been approved for various programs and organizations to address housing needs in Bucks County.

“Affordable housing and the growing number of people struggling with homelessness have rightly received more national attention in the wake of the pandemic and subsequent economic downturn,” Warren said. “It’s a relief to see the state stepping forward to fund valuable programs and services for people in our community to address housing issues for those in need.”

The $870,000 in funding has been approved for five different programs or services.

“Housing insecurity is a chronic issue in our community, even more so given the devastating impact of the pandemic on the economy in Bucks County,” Galloway said. “This state funding will help ensure that families and individuals in need in our community each have the stability of a home of their own to count on as they rebuild their lives.”

Davis added, “The economic impact of the pandemic hit our communities like a body slam, knocking many families off their feet financially, leaving them in some cases homeless,” Davis said. “This grant money will provide critical assistance to families struggling with housing insecurity while they find their footing as the pandemic recedes.”

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Authority approved the following funds through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund/Realty Transfer Tax:

Bucks County, Housing Services Department, $350,000: Strengthening Homeless Services will use funds to continue solutions to homelessness and introduce solutions with the goal of better response to pandemic-caused housing insecurity, increasing affordable housing options for the homeless and providing effective interventions to improve flow within the homeless services system.
Bucks County Opportunity Council, $200,000: Housing Opportunities for Reentry Population will use funds to provide housing and supportive services for recently incarcerated individuals who are eligible for parole but who lack a permanent address.
YWCA of Bucks County, $200,000: Housing and Supportive Services for Victims of Human Trafficking will use funds to address the complex needs of human trafficking victims through a comprehensive system focused on housing and specialized services.
Habitat for Humanity Bucks County, $100,000: Home Repair Program will use funds to partner with low-income homeowners in Bucks County to repair homes to make them safe and accessible for everyone living in the home – helping people avoid illnesses or injury caused by disrepair.
Bucks County Housing Group, $20,000: Housing Counseling Program will use funds to continue employment of two housing counselors and one intake specialist.

Money to fund this round of competitive PHARE applications came from two sources: Marcellus Shale Impact Fees and Realty Transfer Taxes. Established in 2010, PHARE is the mechanism used to allocate state or federal funds for affordable housing.

Up Next

Heavy Delays Expected Again on Scudder Falls Bridge Next Week

Don't Miss

Bristol Area Zip Code 3rd Lowest in State for Vaccinations, County Commissioner Says

Jeff Bohen

Click to comment

Human Interest - Bensalem Township

Police Seek Info on Missing Teen Believed to be in Lower Bucks Area

Published

29 minutes ago

March 5, 2026

Jeff Bohen

Police from Plumstead Township Police Department with an assist from Tullytown Borough Police are asking for help from the community in attempting to locate a missing 17 year-old .

Ryan Jaatar Age 17 is 5ft 8in Brown eyes and has not been seen since January 3, 2026, police say.

Jaatar was last seen by his father at their residence in Plumstead Township.

Jaatar’s, according to investigators, is believed to be in the Levittown/Bristol/Croydon area.

Anyone with information, please contact Detective Stacie Arnosky at sarnosky@plumstead.gov or 215-766-8741, ext. 120 or Contact the Tullytown Borough Police Department at 215-945-0999. You can also submit a confidential tip at through this link.

State/County - Bensalem Township

Burlington Bristol Bridge to Close Overnight Beginning Friday for Maintenance Work

Published

4 hours ago

March 5, 2026

staff

The Burlington County Bridge Commission announced that the Burlington Bristol Bridge will be closed to all vehicle traffic from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. overnight beginning tomorrow (Friday March 6,) to Tuesday, March 10, weather permitting, for maintenance and repair work.

Human Interest - Bensalem Township

Floral Design Program Wins Again at Philadelphia Flower Show

Published

6 hours ago

March 5, 2026

staff

Dr. Patrick M. Jones (left), President & CEO of Bucks County Community College, and Carol Tyler admire the College’s floral design program’s exhibit at the Philadelphia Flower Show featuring “Joan of Arc at Orleans” by Stella Elkins Tyler. The sculpture, donated to the College by the Tyler family, is the centerpiece of the College’s award-winning “Rooted in Art” exhibit. The College was founded on the Tyler estate in Newtown more than 60 years ago. Credit: BCCC

In only its second year, Bucks County Community College (BCCC) picked up another medal at the prestigious horticultural expo for its ‘Rooted in Art’ tribute to Stella Elkins Tyler.

BCCC’s floral design program has once again taken home a prize in only its second year participating in the Philadelphia Flower Show. Students, alumni, and instructors earned a bronze medal for “Rooted in Art,” reflecting the College’s origins of being founded on the Newtown estate of artist and educational philanthropist Stella Elkins Tyler. The exhibit features Tyler’s sculpture “Joan of Arc at Orleans,” donated to the College by Carol Tyler, who visited the show with College President & CEO Dr. Patrick M. Jones (Feature Pic). The College was founded on the Tyler estate in Newtown more than 60 years ago. The exhibit features seven original floral designs, each interpreting the connection between nature, art, and education, alongside six selected student works from the College’s School of Arts and Communication.

Credit: BCCC

A team of 20 students, alumni, and instructors from BCCC’s floral design program helped install “Rooted in Art” at the Philadelphia Flower Show, which reflects the College’s origins of being founded on the Newtown estate of artist and educational philanthropist Stella Elkins Tyler. The exhibit features one of Tyler’s original bronze sculptures, “Joan of Arc at Orleans,” pictured in the background.

Credit: BCCC

Melanie Poff (left) and her mother Els Poff, both Certified Floral Designers from Doylestown and students in BCCC’s floral design program, helped surround “Joan of Arc at Orleans” by Stella Elkins Tyler with botanical beauty at the Philadelphia Flower Show. The sculpture is part of the “Rooted in Art” exhibit, reflecting the deep connection between art, education, and nature that Stella Elkins Tyler championed throughout her life.

Credit: BCCC

Amparito Arriaga, a Certified Floral Designer from Exton and a student in BCCC’s floral design program, installs part of the “Rooted in Art” exhibit at the Philadelphia Flower Show. The exhibit features seven original floral designs, each interpreting the connection between nature, art, and education, alongside six selected student works from the College’s School of Arts and Communication.