Community Project Funding

The House Committee on Appropriations announced in 2021 that they would bring back member directed Community Project Funding for the first time in over a decade. Community Project Funding is a vital way that Members of Congress can advocate for projects in their communities. We are no longer accepting applications for FY25 Community Project Funding. The deadline for submission was midnight on Monday, April, 29. Since the applications put forward by our office need approval by the House Committee on Appropriations, please refer to this guidance from the Committee to ensure your application is fundable.

Like so many things in this job, I couldn’t do this alone!

That’s why I have assembled a nonpartisan panel of 15 community leaders from across the district that were as diverse as we are here in Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District.

To view a recording of Rep. Houlahan's Community Project Funding Grants Webinar click here, and to view presentation slides from the webinar, click here.

For more information on Community Project Funding, click here or watch below.

Questions? Email PA06.CPF@mail.house.gov

Below you will find the projects we requested for Fiscal Year 2025 with the help of that board of community leaders.

Community Project Funding Requested on Behalf of Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District

The following projects are listed in alphabetical order by applicant:

Applicant: Barclay Friends Memory Care Expansion and Renovation
Amount Requested: $2,300,000
Description of Project: Barclay Friends is seeking support to renovate an existing building on their campus to create more capacity for Memory Care patients. These higher need patients are rising in number, and local capacity to serve them is inadequate for the current needs of Chester County seniors. Their new facility, when completed, will empower them to double their capacity to serve seniors with dementia at the highest level of care.

Letter clarifying there is no personal financial interest in this project, and stating that the project has a federal nexus because the funding is for purposes authorized by Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, 7 U.S. Code section 1926(a).

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Applicant: City of Reading 11^th and Pike Recreation Center Expansion
Amount: $3,000,000
Purpose: Enhance the facility to accommodate more children, including teenagers, by implementing the city's comprehensive recreation facilities/program assessments. This expansion will provide a more inclusive environment that fosters positive peer relationships and mentorship, thereby addressing community concerns such as vandalism and youth crime through increased access to recreational, community, and educational opportunities.

Letter clarifying there is no personal financial interest in this project, and stating that the project has a federal nexus because the funding is for purposes authorized by 42 U.S.C. 5305(a)(2).

Name of Project: City of Reading Cornerstone at 6^th and Chesnut Senior Housing
Amount Requested: $1,000,000
Description of Project: The City of Reading is seeking $1 million in congressional funding to prepare a former industrial site in Reading for a new affordable housing community for seniors. The project will create 46 units of ADA-accessible housing and convert a blighted historic building into an anchor for economic development a few blocks away from the train station where Amtrak service would be restored.

Letter clarifying there is no personal financial interest in this project, and stating that the project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by 42 U.S.C. 5305 (a)(4).

Name of Project: Connections Work of Berks County Reentry Works Program
Amount Requested: $750,000
Description of Project: Reentry Works, a comprehensive initiative that streamlines the process of service provision to reentrants and those soon to be released from the county jail. Reentry Works increases the likelihood of success of reentrants by serving as a centralized resource hub for individuals in the justice system. In addition, it provides a comprehensive case managed reentry workforce development program designed to empower individuals with the skills and support needed for successful reintegration. Connections Work (formerly Berks Connections/Pretrial Services or BCPS) has provided programs and services to the justice involved in Berks County Pennsylvania since 1975. In 2010 they were involved in the creation of the first reentry workforce development program in the Berks County Jail System (BCJS) and since that time we have grown to be Berks County’s largest provider of workforce development services to the justice involved.

Letter clarifying there is no personal financial interest in this project, and stating that this project has a federal nexus because it is authorized by Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) program, section 501 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. § 10152).

Name of Project: East Whiteland Township Route 30 Corridor Improvements Project
Amount Requested: $8,652,091
Description of Project: This Project aims to alleviate congestion while enhancing safety, mobility, quality of life, and sustainability. The FY25 CPF request includes FHWA Complete Streets strategies such as consolidating driveways, implementing right-in/right-out access, sidewalks, crosswalks, and enhancing bus stops with ADA landing pads. Improvements at key intersections, including PA 352 (Sproul Road)/Route 30 and Church Road/Route 30, will include roadway widening to accommodate new turning lanes to improve traffic flow. The Project is crucial for enhancing connectivity and vitality not only in Chester County, but the greater Philadelphia Region, serving as a vital link between various diverse communities and transportation networks.

Letter clarifying there is no personal financial interest in this project, and stating that the project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by 23 USC 133(b).

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Name of Project: Goshen Fire Company EMS and Fire Station Infrastructure Project
Amount Requested: $2,000,000
Description of Project: The funding would be used for demolition of the existing 75-year-old Fire/EMS station and the design, engineering, sitework and construction of a new and updated Fire/EMS Station. Funding is being sought to assist with the construction of the station itself as it relates to key areas that will be used most frequently aimed at first responder health and safety, "live-in" volunteer quarters to promote active volunteer service, emergency coordination and daily facility functionality. This station will continue to serve nearly 35,000 residents in East Goshen, West Goshen, Westtown and Willistown Townships.

Name of Project: Kennett Square Police Department Force De-Escalation Initiative
Amount Requested: $87,871
Description of Project: The Kennett Square Police Department Force De-Escalation Initiative focuses on replacing outdated less-than-lethal force equipment. This equipment has played a critical role in reducing force used during police use-of-force incidents. The department's Taser X-26 Conducted Energy Devices and the BolaWrap 100 Control Devices need to be replaced.

Letter clarifying there is no personal financial interest in this project, and stating that this project has a federal nexus authorized by COPS Technology and Equipment program, section 1701(b)(8) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. § 10381(b)(8)).

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Name of Project: Keystone Valley Fire Department Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Replacement
Amount Requested: $270,000
Description of Project: KVFD will use the proceeds of this grant to replace their current inventory of 27 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus. These SCBA are in their 15th year of operation. Per National Fire Protection Agency Standard 1981, SCBA must be replaced every 15 years. SCBA are integral pieces of equipment in providing emergency services. They allow firefighters to breathe clean air in hazardous situations where the air is of unsafe quality and heat. Without them, these first responders will not be able to do their jobs safely.

Letter clarifying there is no personal financial interest in this project, and stating that the project has a federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized in Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, 7 U.S. Code section 1926(a).

Name of Project: Ludwigs Corner Fire Company Building Renovation
Amount Requested: $5,437,300
Description of Project: This project is to Modernize their nearly 50-year-old firehouse to better meet the community's needs, ensuring more effective emergency response and enhanced volunteer firefighter support. This renovation will include additional apparatus bay space, dedicated training and decontamination areas, new bunk rooms, and upgraded community spaces, significantly improving the functionality and safety of the facility.

Letter clarifying there is no personal financial interest in this project, and stating that the project has a federal nexus because the funding is for purposes authorized by 42 U.S.C. 5305(a)(2).

Name of Project: New London Counseling Center Mental Health Facility Expansion
Amount Requested: $237,000
Description of Project: This project is to construct 6 additional offices at the New London Counseling Center's current location in the town of Lincoln University, PA. The New London Counseling Center is a rural mental health clinic, and the money from this grant will be used to expand the facility's space to provide more individual, family and group therapy, along with a larger space for community educational programming.

Name of Project: Reading Area Community College Schmidt Training and Technology Center Expansion for Workforce Development
Amount Requested:$12,937,200
Description of Project: To address the growing demand for skilled manufacturing workers in the Greater Berks Region, particularly in areas such as Computer Numerical Control (CNC) operation and welding. By expanding training opportunities and providing access to industry-recognized programs, Reading Area Community College aims to prepare a diverse workforce for successful careers and meet the evolving needs of the regional manufacturing sector.

Name of Project: Valley Township Public Safety Initiative: Preemption System, Emitters, and License Plate Readers
Amount Requested: $71,328
Description of Project: Project is to replace the non-working preemption equipment at Business Route 30 (West Lincoln Highway) and Airport Road; purchase 7 emitters for the Valley Township Police Cars, and initial 5-year license plate reader subscription. This project would assist our emergency responders — police/fire/EMS — safely cross the intersection and reduce response time. The license plate reader would assist police for those who have not registered their vehicles as well as assist in being able to detect vehicles traveling through should there be a need for Amber alert or other types of auto search.

Letter clarifying there is no personal financial interest in this project, and stating that the project has a federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes described in section 501 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. § 10152).

Name of Project: Wagontown Volunteer Fire Company Breathing Air Compressor Purchase
Amount Requested: $50,000
Description of Project: The request is to replace the breathing air apparatus air compressor and filling station used by the Wagontown Volunteer Fire Company. The Company's current compressor and fill station is over 25 years old and has recently been placed out of service with no parts available to fix the compressor. This leaves the Company no way to refill their Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units after a fire. The SCBAs they use are key to firefighter safety and wellbeing, allowing them to operate in unsafe environments. The compressor would allow the Company to be able to refill their own SCBA at their own station after a fire or incident where they are used. Currently, they have to rely on a neighboring station's compressor, meaning their equipment is out of service until refilling is complete.

Name of Project: West Chester University Research on Modeling Technology for Affordable Housing
Amount Requested: $438,954
Description of Project: The project objectives include creating location-based models to identify area commuting boundaries, pinpointing local zoning impacts and potential solutions, and establishing a collaborative information platform. After completing the project in a targeted location, the analytical framework and models can be used as a baseline to study other job markets, particularly those within the public sector. Together, these information resources will have the ability to engage local stakeholders and facilitate the development of more effective policies for affordable housing. The models will be able to identify opportunities for stimulating local economic development and to pinpoint areas of socioeconomic inequality associated with the commuting patterns of lower-income jobs throughout the state. 3-D models provide a visual representation of an entire land development plan and allow stakeholders to better understand the spatial relationships between elements such as buildings, green spaces, roads, and infrastructure. Development of these models will be key in assessing traffic and stormwater generation, that are common concerns of existing residents. 3-D models will be developed with ArcGIS Urban, a platform that has advanced abilities to measure impacts such as parking, trips, impact on schools, water use, and more. These models will be scalable for other communities across the country. Multiple design iterations can be explored rapidly and cost-effectively. Using ArcGIS Urban, different zoning scenarios can be tested to fine tune the layout and density of affordable housing projects to determine the most efficient and aesthetically pleasing outcomes within the regulatory constraints. The model is built upon a scenario-based platform that will allow officials, as well as students, to explore development options and policies.

Name of Project: West Grove Memorial Park Expansion
Amount Requested: $3,571,484
Description of Project: The project is a much needed public facility upgrade, which will benefit thousands of individuals in the municipality and surrounding areas who utilize the park on a daily basis and year round. The installation of an artificial turf field at the Memorial Park soccer field will be one of the updates made. Improvements installed with the soccer field would include stone storage and stormwater piping, adjacent trees and understory plantings, benches and bleachers, stadium lights, and a new equipment storage building.

Letter clarifying there is no personal financial interest in this project, and stating that the project has a federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by 42 U.S.C. 5305 (a)(1).

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For more on FY2024 projects, click here.

For more on FY2023 projects, click here.

For more on FY2022 projects, click here.