Westmoreland County’s plan for centralized hub to house its human services programs received a $500,000 boost from a Pittsburgh foundation.
Commissioners on Thursday, during the county’s annual human services fair at Westmoreland County Community College, accepted a grant from the Eden Hill Foundation that officials said could help pay for relocation of hundreds of employees and social service programs to one location.
Officials have explored renting a renovated former county housing authority headquarters building in Hempfield. It would relocate administrative functions and services from the courthouse and other office locations in downtown Greensburg as well as space it rents at the community college campus near Youngwood.
“Right now, that’s the way we’re looking. As it stands now that’s our only viable option but there’s no commitment and we’re very much exploring the process,” said Rob Hamilton, director of the county’s Human Services Department.
The grant is contingent on the county securing additional funding for the project.
Hamilton said the plan is estimated to cost between $3 million to $7 million.
It would require an agreement with the housing authority to rent and renovate the 33,000 square foot office building that it moved out of in 2016 to South Greengate Road in Hempfield. A portion of the building remains occupied by the housing authority’s weatherization program and is used for storage.
Housing Authority Executive Director Mike Washowich last week said there is a willingness to move forward with the project. The building can be renovated and the authority is considering retaining a portion for its programs. It could also build a standalone structure elsewhere on the 40-acre property, he said.
Housing authority and county officials are expected to discuss the potential project at a meeting next month.
Hamilton said the centralized location will allow residents to have better access to human services, but that key court-affiliated functions, such as the county children’s bureau, will continue to operate from offices in the courthouse complex.