In 1943, American psychologist Abraham Maslow theorized that human motivation is based on fulfilling five levels of need.

The base of Maslow's Heirarchy indicates food, water and shelter.

The U.S. Department of Housing received the funds this week to address at least one of those: shelter.

HUD announced this week about $15 million in CARES Act funding is being distributed to Pennsylvanians living in Section 8 and public housing.

The Butler County Housing Authority will receive $210,812 via two HUD voucher programs.

“It certainly helps the organization and it helps the county,” said Edward Mauk, chief executive officer of the Butler County Housing Authority. “It's a very good thing to have this additional funding.”

This is the second round of CARES Act funding released for Section 8 housing within the past four months.

Mauk said on May 8, the county received $175,172 for HUD's regular voucher program, going specifically to administrative funding to help cover costs associated with COVID-19.

The funding is helpful, according to Mauk, because the pandemic makes it difficult to manage efficient work flow.

“Everything gets a little slower with COVID,” Mauk said.

Authority workers, who have been in the office since May, have been meeting with clients in one-on-one appointments instead of in groups to adhere to social distancing.

Hygeniec supplies such as hand sanitizers and masks are now available for workers and visitors throughout the authority's building. Having a supply of PPE for field workers has also become a priority.

Having extra funds available to cover unexpected costs helps the authority maintain services, according to Mauk.

He said the Section 8 program, which in Butler County traditionally requires about $900,000 annually to remain operational, helps house about 1,500 county families monthly.

Of the CARES Act money the authority is receiving this round, $197,175 falls under the regular voucher program, which provides tenant-based vouchers for low-income households.

The remaining $13,637 falls under the mainstream voucher program. These vouchers are slated for low-income households that have a non-elderly person with a disability.

Mauk said the distributions are formula driven. Second round funding will probably cover a little over two months in administrative fees, according to Mauk.

While he doesn't know if more CARES Act aid will be available down the road, Mauk is happy Butler is on this round's list.

“Could we use more?” Mauk asked. “Always.”