The SMART Housing Program (Supported, Manageable, Affordable, Renting for Teens and young adults), targets youth ages 18-24 that are enrolled in the Independent Living (IL) Program through the Westmoreland County Children’s Bureau (WCCB).
The youth in the SMART Housing Program will be working toward permanent homes by the time they turn 24 years of age – either rental leases in their own name or homeownership. Those wishing to pursue homeownership will be enrolled in Westmoreland Community Action’s Housing Counseling and Money Management Center.
The main goal of the program is to prevent homelessness and provide rapid-rehousing and rental assistance to those transition-age youth who are being prepped for independence through the WCCB. Throughout their time in the program, the youth will receive supportive services from both the Case Manager along with WCCB’s IL Social Workers. Services will include initial referral to the program; assessing educational needs and assisting with GED, secondary, or post-secondary education goals; assistance with job skills and obtaining employment; establishing a personal savings account for each participating youth; credit enhancement; and transportation needs.
For More Information
For more information on the SMART Housing Program, please contact:
Michael List, Program Director at 724-834-1260, ext. 2104 or mlist@westmorelandca.org
Program Funding
The SMART Housing Program is funded through the PA Housing Finance Agency (PHARE funds).