Spotlight on Mental Health & Housing: Exploring the 2024-25 PA State Budget
Analyze key proposals in the 2024–25 PA State Budget that aim to boost mental health services and expand affordable housing, providing a detailed look at the future of community support.
Spotlight on Mental Health & Housing: Exploring the 2024–25 PA State Budget
Date: February 15, 2024
Author: Brittany Oneill
Governor Josh Shapiro unveiled his 2024–25 State Budget proposal to the General Assembly, emphasizing significant investments in housing, home repair, homeless assistance, eviction prevention, and mental health services for Pennsylvanians. Here are the key highlights:
Mental Health Support
- $100 million in mental health funding for K–12 schools, leveraging one-time federal funds to ensure ongoing provision of mental health services to students and staff.
- An additional $20 million increase in funding for community-based mental health services this year, with a call for further increments, aiming for a total increase of $60 million per year by 2025–26.
- $10 million allocated for 988 crisis line operations to bolster crisis intervention services, expand mental health resources, and ensure well-trained staff are available to support individuals in crisis.
Housing Initiatives
- Increase the PHARE program funding cap to $100 million by 2027–28, with annual increases of $10 million.
- $50 million allocated for the Whole Home Repair Program.
- $10 million designated for the Homeless Assistance Program.
- $5 million allocated for legal representation in eviction proceedings.
- $5 million directed to local governments for rapid responses to emergency housing situations.
Budget Process
The House and Senate Appropriations Committees will conduct budget hearings with state departments and agencies in the upcoming weeks to scrutinize the proposed spending plan.
The Housing Alliance, along with advocates and legislators, will work together to push for the inclusion of these proposals in the final 2024–25 state budget, which is scheduled for completion by June 30.
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"...and just that little click. Wow, it's so powerful just to have somebody who understands exactly how you feel, because we can sympathize all day, but to have somebody else in the room with me, to say, I've done it too, I've experienced that too, allows for a bond that goes beyond words."
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