New grant funding of $351,477 will help bring new options to Mercer County residents who have lost access to housing or are struggling to stave off the threat of homelessness, state Mark Longietti, D-Mercer, announced Friday.

Part of a package of CARES Act funding made available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will help address problems made more urgent by the pandemic.

"One of the most dangerous aspects of this pandemic is the effect it has had in disrupting residents' access to vital life resources," Longietti said. "Hardworking families for the first time are finding themselves suddenly displaced or facing the threat of homelessness, and our most vulnerable residents are finding it harder to find shelter.

"This funding is going to help us tackle this alarming trend by providing resources that can help restore housing options for vulnerable residents in need and prevent the loss of housing by hardworking residents who are facing this threat through no fault of their own."

The funding is the first of two allocations of Emergency Solutions Grant CARES Act funding provided through the HUD CARES Act supplemental appropriation.

The funding is being administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development.