Monroe commissioners approve 2017 block grants

The Monroe County Commissioners have approved the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Block Grants application for 2017.

The block grants this year total $544,205 for all of Monroe County.

Under the terms of the application, East Stroudsburg borough will receive $128,986, which is expected to be used for street and road improvements and program administration. The Carbon-Monroe-Pike Drug and Alcohol Commission will receive $1,593 of the grant money.

Stroudsburg borough will receive $94,686 for street improvements and administration, and $900 will be earmarked for the substance abuse services.

The remainder of Monroe County will receive $320,533, of which $237,837 will be used for housing rehab of single-unit residential properties.

It is estimated that 11 units will be rehabbed countywide, excluding Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg boroughs.

The substance abuse program will get $25,000 for a countywide mobile case manager. The remaining funds will go toward program administration costs.

Community block grants are are used primarily for housing and community development activities that benefit low-to-moderate families.