Renters facing homelessness or who are currently homeless due to a situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic can apply for rental funding through Catholic Charities, thanks to a new grant.

The $1.5 million Emergency Solutions Grant earmarked for the county through the state Department of Community and Economic Development came from $19 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars awarded to the state, according to a news release from Gov. Tom Wolf's office.

Amanda Feltenberger, the county's director of integrated services, said the funds are to be used for homeless prevention, rapid rehousing or emergency shelter for those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless because of the pandemic.

Recipients must be tenants or former tenants who earn a maximum of 50 percent of the median area income. Butler County's median area income is $68,472 annually.

This is an excerpt from a larger article that appears in Tuesday's Butler Eagle. Subscribe online or in print to read the full article.