Reaching the underserved, Hamilton Health vaccinates 1,000 seniors this week

March 10, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Lorraine Calien is one of the hundreds of seniors receiving the vaccine at Hamilton Health Center this week.

Lorraine Calien was hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine at first. Even as a board member of Hamilton Health Center, she had her concerns.

But after reading reports about the safety of the vaccine, Calien was convinced. Sitting in Hamilton Health’s community room on Wednesday, she had just received the shot, and it didn’t hurt at all, she said.

Starting this past Tuesday and extending through Friday, Hamilton Health Center is vaccinating 1,000 Harrisburg seniors in partnership with Capital BlueCross and Rite Aid. Many are people of color who haven’t been able to access vaccines elsewhere, Bradley Gebhart, director of development at Hamilton Health, said.

“It has been phenomenal to reach this amount of seniors in the community,” CEO of Hamilton Health Jeannine Peterson said. “This has given us an opportunity to meet the demand.”

Peterson said that Hamilton Health has been providing COVID-19 immunizations once per week to no more than 50 people at a time. This has included staff, healthcare workers and the elderly, so far. However, a lack of supply and limited staff and volunteers to administer the vaccine has made increasing the numbers hard.

Until Wednesday, Calien couldn’t find a location to receive the vaccine. She called at least four places before landing an appointment with Hamilton Health. She thinks there should be more locations in urban areas.

“It’s not always that people of color don’t want the vaccine,” she said. “They’re probably just having a hard time finding a place to get it.”

However, she said that she did understand people’s hesitation surrounding the vaccine, based on the Black community’s experience with historic healthcare injustices.

Peterson said that the turnout has shown that there is significant interest among the Black community. She added that lack of transportation or internet have been barriers for many people.

Senior patients of Hamilton Health and the general public were able to sign up for the vaccine. All slots for the week are filled. Vaccinations will continue at Hamilton Health Center through Thursday and will take place at Heinz-Menaker Senior Center on Friday.

On Wednesday, after a temperature check and registration, patients would receive the Pfizer shot and sit in a waiting area for 15 minutes to make sure they didn’t experience reactions. Each person would then be scheduled for a second dosage in three weeks, Gebhart said.

Vaccination site at Hamilton Health Center

Richard Jones, 74, didn’t want to get the vaccine, but he said that his doctor told him he should, so he did.

Volunteers like Lance Freeman, of the Harrisburg chapter of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, were there to greet community members with a smiling face, even if it was under a mask.

A handful of members from his fraternity were volunteering on Wednesday and served with Hamilton Health before, assisting at a COVID-19 testing site.

Omega’s core principles—manhood, scholarship, perseverance and uplift—are all covered by volunteering with Hamilton Health, he said.

“It’s stepping up and doing what needs done for the community,” Freeman said.

Peterson said that volunteers are crucial if Hamilton Health is going to be able to increase the number of vaccines they can administer. For a community hit hard by the COVID-19 virus, the Black community, increased access to the vaccine could make a big difference.

Elizabeth Bass, 77, sat alone in the waiting area after receiving her shot. She told me about her six grandchildren and 12 great-grandkids that she was missing. She hadn’t seen them as regularly this year; they worried about her getting sick, she said. Bass was happy to get the vaccine, and she knew the kids would be happy too.

“This takes some of the worrying off my mind,” she said. “It makes me feel safer.”

For more information about Hamilton Health Center, visit their website.

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Home sales dip, prices increase in Harrisburg area in February

March 10, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

A house for sale in Harrisburg

Home sales dropped a bit, but price appreciation was strong in the Harrisburg area, as a local realtor group released its data for February.

The Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR) reported that home sales fell to 458 units last month compared to 500 units in February 2020 across its three-county coverage area. However, the median sales price rose to $190,950 versus $180,000 a year ago.

In Dauphin County, sales dipped to 236 units against 244 in the year-ago period, but the median price increased to $168,500 versus $164,900 last year, GHAR stated.

Similarly, Cumberland County saw a small drop in home sales—from 205 a year ago to 196 this past February—but the median price rose sharply, from $214,500 to $232,000, GHAR said.

In Perry County, sales dropped by three units, to 21 homes, as the median price rose to $154,900 compared to $147,500 a year ago, GHAR stated.

The organization also reported that homes were selling much faster than last year, as the “average days on market” dropped to 30 days versus 57 last February.

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Burg Blog: Thanks, Now Run

March 10, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg’s MLK Jr. Government Center

There’s a lot wrong in Harrisburg—from parking problems to too much poverty.

But there’s plenty right, too, and those things are worth celebrating, which, at TheBurg, we’re not shy about doing.

One of those “right” things is the level of civic engagement among the people of this city. I noticed this soon after moving here, and, over time, I’ve grown more impressed with how much residents care about this community and, often, demonstrate their concern by making their voices heard and getting involved.

A key marker of civic engagement is the willingness of people to serve as local officeholders. Running for political office is no easy task. It takes time, caring and commitment to put oneself before public scrutiny and then to serve in an often grueling, poorly compensated (sometimes volunteer) position.

Therefore, I was pleased by the number of candidates signing up to run in the May 18 municipal primary election. The deadline for nominating petitions passed yesterday, and the interest in serving this community is profound and impressive.

In all, six candidates want to be the next mayor of Harrisburg. Thirteen are running for four seats on City Council, and nine want to be your next school board director.

I’m sure that many of you already have a favorite candidate or two. But before the campaign heats up and the fur starts flying, let’s take a moment to appreciate all those who have decided to run for office and serve their community.

Over the past 12 or so years, I’ve logged hundreds, maybe thousands, of hours sitting in City Council chambers, planning and zoning board hearings, school board meetings, etc.

Through this, I’ve seen over and over what it takes to serve the public. It’s frequently a thankless task, with long hours, little appreciation and a whole lot of flack. Unfortunately, social media has made this tough job even tougher.

Having closely watched the city’s public servants for so many years, I’m especially appreciative of those who choose to serve. Some people may think that being Harrisburg mayor or a council member is somehow glamorous. It’s not. Whatever “glory” there may be on Election Day ages fast, replaced quickly by the reality of tedious, late-night meetings, tough decisions and relentless, often personal and sometimes unfair criticism.

So, I want to say, “thank you” to all who want to step up to serve our community. And, with that, as they used to say in ancient Rome—let the games begin!

Lawrance Binda is co-publisher and editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

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Nearly 30 painted planter boxes coming to Allison Hill, local artists encouraged to take part

March 10, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Nearly 30 planters along Derry and Market streets will be painted.

As spring rounds the corner and more people are ready to get outside, Sprocket Mural Works wants to bring more art for your stroll through the neighborhood.

Volunteers from Sprocket, a nonprofit, plan to kick off the annual Harrisburg Mural Festival by painting nearly 30 new planter boxes, provided by Tri County Community Action, on Derry and Market streets in Allison Hill.

Their goal is to commission artists from the Allison Hill neighborhood, as well as artists from the city at large. Today, Sprocket announced a call for artists to submit designs for these paid positions.

“We are looking forward to connecting with artists from Allison Hill—that’s what is so valuable about this community-focused project,” said Meg Caruso, co-founder Sprocket. “More than a dozen planters will benefit and beautify the immediate Allison Hill neighborhood. Additionally, these planters will become works of art that uplift and recognize local artistic talent for years to come.”

Sprocket members are looking for artists to highlight the culture and diversity of Allison Hill in the paintings, as well as what they love about their city. The deadline for artists to apply is April 30, and the painting will take place between May 22 and June 20.

Tri County Community Action officials look forward to the event, as it fits with the goals of their neighborhood action plan for Allison Hill.

“We are excited to work with Sprocket Mural Works and local artists to beautify the city, and we look forward to unique and diverse designs that reflect this vibrant community we love,” said Julie Walter, neighborhood revitalization manager at TCCA.

Sprocket completed a similar beautification project in the past, painting the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District’s planters and the neighborhood’s electrical boxes.

On a larger scale, Sprocket has contributed 45 murals to Harrisburg since 2014.

The 2021 Mural Festival will be Sprocket’s third biennial summer festival. In addition to the planter project, Sprocket will transform the Mulberry Street Bridge with murals, reconfigure Midtown’s unused Patrick Alley into a pocket park and celebrate Black lives through mural art.

Also, in partnership with the Philadelphia area’s Center for Creative Works, an organization that empowers artists with intellectual disabilities, Sprocket plans to bring Brandon Spicer-Crawley back to Harrisburg to continue beautifying a brick wall on the Millworks Lumber Storage Building, near the Broad Street Market.

Sprocket is currently seeking additional partner organizations, as well as potential locations for future murals, in Allison Hill. They are also looking for corporate sponsors of all sizes to become involved in the 2021 festival.

To apply to the Allison Hill planter project’s call for artists, visit Sprocket Mural Works’ website. For any additional information see the website, as well. To contact a Sprocket member, email [email protected].

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Harrisburg City Council approves former Methodist Church transformation, six-story downtown apartment building

March 9, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

The former First United Methodist Church will become apartments.

A few Harrisburg developers have cleared the final hurdle to begin their projects.

At a Tuesday night legislative session, City Council approved land development plans to convert a vacant church into an apartment building and another to build a six-story apartment and retail building, along with four other projects.

Developer Derek Dilks plans to transform the former First United Methodist Church at 260 Boas St. into an eight-unit apartment building. He received zoning relief for the $1.2 million project in January in order to change the use of the 140-year-old church building.

Also approved were a range of renovation projects that Dilks plans for downtown. These include:

25 N. Front St., converting an office building into an eight-unit apartment building
321 N. Front St., converting an office building into a six-unit apartment building
130 State St. converting an office building into a five-unit apartment building

With a unanimous vote, Harristown Development can also move forward on its project at 21 S. 2^nd Street. The company plans to construct a six-story, mixed-use building with apartments, offices and first-floor retail space.

Harristown purchased the property in 2017, demolishing the blighted commercial building that then occupied the site.

Other approved resolutions included:

1605-1609 Swatara St., consolidating and re-subdividing the parcels comprising the project site into three parcels and constructing three, single-family townhomes
Awarding up to $10,000 in funding to the Pennsylvania Environmental Resource Consortium to co-sponsor the Pennsylvania Environmental Justice Symposium

Several more land development plans for new projects are slated to appear on the City Council agenda in the coming weeks, including the “Carpets and Draperies” building on N. 3rd St., a long-blighted retail building that will be repurposed as apartments.

Also coming to council is a large project in the block bounded by Boyd Street, N. 5th Street, Reily Street and Fulton Street, which will include 85 apartments, a grocery store and a parking garage.

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Crowded primary field for Harrisburg mayor, city council as filing deadline passes

March 9, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

A few campaign signs have already sprung up in Harrisburg.

Harrisburg voters will have a large field of candidates to choose from this May, as six hopefuls have filed for the mayoral primary and another 13 residents have filed for City Council nominations.

Tuesday was the last day to file nominating petitions for the May 18 municipal primary. As of 5 p.m., the following candidates had filed to run for the Democratic nomination for mayor:

Otto Banks
Kevyn Knox
Eric Papenfuse (incumbent)
David Schankweiler
Wanda Williams

In addition, one candidate, Timothy Rowbottom, filed to run in the Republican primary.

“If you look at public participation, it’s greater than ever,” Papenfuse said on Tuesday as the filing deadline passed. “One of the strange positives of COVID is people engaging in public meetings. We have more comments, more interest in politics, and that’s good.”

Papenfuse, who has served two terms as mayor, pledged that this would be his final run for the office.

Despite saying he would run again, Lewis Butts, who has competed twice before for mayor, had not filed as a candidate by the end of day on Tuesday, according to Dauphin County.

Thirteen candidates have filed to run for the Democratic nomination for four, four-year seats on Harrisburg City Council. They are:

Vishal Bajpai
Lor Ann Beamer-Saulisbury
Roy Christ
Shamaine Daniels (incumbent)
Crystal Davis
Carrie Fowler
Sarah Gethers
Ausha Green (incumbent)
Lavet Henderson
Jennie Jenkins-Dallas
Robert Lawson
Jocelyn Rawls
Ralph Rodriguez

No one filed to run in the Republican primary.

Two of the four council seats are open as council Vice President Ben Allatt declined to run for re-election and President Wanda Williams, who has served on council since 2006, opted to run for mayor.

The Harrisburg school board race has fewer candidates this time than two years ago, when a dozen residents ran in the hotly contested race. This year, the Democratic candidates for four, four-year seats are:

Michael Balsbaugh
Brian Carter (incumbent)
Jorge Collazo
Roslyn Copeland
Jaime Johnsen
Ezra Match
Danielle Robinson (incumbent)
Mary Simpson

Match also cross-filed on the Republican ballot.

In addition, the school board has one two-year seat available. Just one Democrat, Terricia Radcliff, has filed to run for that seat. No Republicans filed for the office.

For city controller, only incumbent Charlie DeBrunner, a Democrat, has filed to run in the primary.

Harrisburg also has two competitive races for magisterial district justice seats.

Seven Democrats have filed for the District 12-2-04 seat primary:

Anthony Harrell
Sha’kira Jennings
Sonya McKnight (incumbent)
Ellis (Rick) Roy
Jennifer Smallwood
Brianna Smith
Leon Wilkerson

McKnight also cross-filed for the Republican primary.

Two Democrats filed for the District 12-2-05 seat:

Amechie Walker Sr.
Paul T. Zozos (incumbent)

Zozos also cross-filed for the Republican primary.

On the county level, incumbent Matt Krupp of Harrisburg filed for re-election as a Republican for prothonotary. Anju Singh of Hummelstown is running for the Democratic nomination.

Long-time county Coroner Graham Hetrick filed for re-election on the Republican ballot. He’s unchallenged for that office.

A two-year county controller seat is open following the election of Tim DeFoor as PA auditor general last year. Democrat Eric Epstein of Lower Paxton Township filed for the primary for that row office, as did Republican Mary Bateman of Lykens.

The municipal primary is slated for Tuesday, May 18.

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No Recess for Reading: Floyd Stokes brings virtual storytime to kids during the pandemic

March 8, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

A screenshot from “Reading 365.”

Once upon a time, almost exactly one year ago, Floyd Stokes was all ready for his annual “500 Men Reading Week.”

Each year, Stokes, the founder of the American Literacy Corporation, a nonprofit that provides supplemental literacy programs, gathered hundreds of men to read books to students in local classrooms. But just a few days before the 2020 event, Floyd cancelled, concerned about COVID cases beginning to pop up in the United States.

Stokes never thought that, one year later, he would have to cancel the “500 Men Reading Week” again. Not to mention the many other anticipated events he had to cut.

But that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been a whole lot of reading going on. As an author himself, Stokes knows a thing or two about rewriting the narrative.

“I’m just trying to create and find a silver lining in all of this,” Stokes said. “No matter what the environment is like, reading is important.”

He developed numerous virtual programs for both children and their parents, including an online summer reading and writing camp, and virtual storytime.

Since the beginning of October, the American Literacy Corporation has been active every day with guests reading books via Zoom for children. They plan to continue this through September, completing a full year, as part of Stokes’ “Reading 365” initiative.

He said that the books, as well as interviews with the guest readers, have tackled topics around social justice, COVID, career exploration and stress management, among other themes. For Black History Month in February, they featured only books about African Americans, and Stokes plans to highlight books about females for Women’s History Month in March.

Stokes even live-streamed reading for 12 hours, from noon to midnight on New Year’s Eve, with a new reader every 15 minutes.

“Reading 365” has taken off, he said, with guest reader slots filled for every day through most of May. Teachers, daycare centers and families have reached out to Stokes, telling him how much the program has meant to their students.

“We need to continue to do our part as parents and community members to remind our kids of the importance of learning and reading,” he said.

Stokes’ “Zoom Zoo” is another popular program that invites kids into a sometimes wild educational experience. Students can log on virtually on Saturday mornings to show off their pets and learn from animal experts.

Guests have included experts from Lake Tobias, ZooAmerica, the Butterfly Atrium at Hershey Gardens, PA Department of Agriculture, Dauphin County Sheriff Department’s K-9 Unit and others. Furry wolf pups, baby bunnies, alligators, snapping turtles and goats have made appearances.

Dauphin County Prothonotary Matt Krupp, who Stokes calls his “Jack Hanna,” after the celebrity zookeeper, has helped develop and host each program.

“It’s just a lot of fun and a way to reach out to kids,” Krupp said. “When Floyd calls and asks me to do something, I always say yes.”

Even Stokes’ daughter Madison, 16, has gotten in on the action, helping to host “Zoom Zoo” and working for her father in an administrative role.

As the pandemic has continued, Stokes has learned to take advantage of technology and its ability to connect people to envision future American Literacy Corporation programs.

He recently developed a platform for classrooms and organizations around the country to connect with people who love to read to students. They can view a short description of each reader, along with their profession and preferred grade level. The American Literacy Corporation then connects classrooms to the selected reader.

Since 2001, Stokes’ goal of promoting literacy hasn’t changed. The format now may look different, due to the pandemic, but Stokes is still reaching children where they are.

“What keeps me going is my desire to help kids and families no matter what environment we are dealt,” he said.

To watch “Reading 365” or join “Zoom Zoo,” visit the American Literacy Corporation’s Facebook page. For more information, visit their website.

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Bob’s Art Blog: From the Ground Up (Part 1)

March 8, 2021 | by Bob MacGinnes

The Olewine Nature Center at Wildwood Park

“Art in the Wild” (AITW), the annual art event envisioned and promoted by the Friends of Wildwood, is not for the faint of heart.

Beginning in the dead of winter, artists are faced with the daunting task of creating an environmental installation guided by nature over the course of time. March weather is a challenge all its own as one may be dealing with snow-covered terrain, harsh winds and the open grounds “logging” hours clearing a site to build a thing of beauty made primarily from cast-off tree limbs, fallen branches and detritus. It takes a pioneering spirit to realize that vision in the end, much like traveling to a new land, for that is what the artists create. Think of it as a brave new world when one enters the path leading into Wildwood Park for its 3.1-mile journey. That is the vista that “Art in the Wild” gives viewers as the ninth edition just got under way geared for its April 10 “reveal.” Starting with an idea and vision of what the final presentation will look like when viewed by the public a month after its start is no easy feat.

As with any building project that requires a certain blueprint and must operate within a framework of limited space, the creative options diminish due to the laws of nature. Such may well be the case as one begins the task of planning and creating an “Art in the Wild” installation. Having been part of AITW since its beginning, “environmental engineer” Beau MacGinnes, assisted by his mother Jana, could easily be stuck in a creative quagmire. The MacGinnes team added a plus-one to the mix this year, enlisting the aid of sister/daughter, Aubrey McNaughton. As in business, the phrase has always been location, location, location, and, for AITW artists, the same applies, perhaps even more so. Looking at the landscape for 2021, they felt that they found the perfect site for this year’s challenge that may take them down the rabbit hole for a wild ride.

There are rules and guidelines in place so that all participants play on a level field (even in Wildwood Park), which, by its very name, would indicate that this might be difficult to achieve. And this go-round may feature 18 approved artists and their installations.

AITW’s process really begins in January with choosing the site and making an application through a formal proposal to the committee overseeing the project. A field of entrants officially met collectively on March 6, and actual groundbreaking started the following day. It begins with a concrete idea of the desired end result but is subject to change along the way as nature has its own ideas. Clearing the space is critical and akin to producing a blank canvas and going from there. The gathering of materials provides the deliberate decay of the winter’s toll on the land and becomes the basis for a fresh take, apropos this year as the theme is “Reimagining.” The landscape lends itself to a romanticized version of beauty truly lying in the eyes of the beholder. While interviewing Beau and Jana, I heard, “If the public views the installation as magic, a vignette of our vision, then we have achieved our goal. The mere act of creating is reward enough, and we are thankful that the Friends made their vision come to fruition.”

Look for Part II in April…the “After” will be notes from the field as AITW opens to the public April 10.

Disclosure: The author is the husband of Jana MacGinnes and father of Beau MacGinnes and Aubrey McNaughton.

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Burg Review: Open Stage’s “cutting edge,” improvisational “Everyman” opens online

March 6, 2021 | by Gina Napoli

Open Stage’s “Everyman” is a cutting-edge, loose rendering of the 15^th century morality play “The Somonyng of Everyman,” in which Everyman represents all humankind and their journeys to Judgment Day.

Decidedly more secular and restrained than its condemnatory inspiration, Open Stage’s play projects Everyman’s fear about the afterlife and unfolds as an allegorical examination told mostly through glib characters and playful scenarios.

Through the safe lens of social media platforms, we meet social media influencer Eman [Benny Benamati], who answers the doorbell when Death [Patrick Hughes] rings. The poignant symbolism of seeing Death through a literal lens also carries the figurative meaning of how we see Eman, how Eman sees themself, and how that lens will someday be turned introspectively.

After it sinks in for Eman that they are dead, (although we never find out the most interesting bit of how they died), Eman prepares for their final reckoning, with event logistics sent courtesy of a linked evite from Death.

Still clinging to earthly possessions and convenient relationships, Eman sets out on a panicky expedition to find someone to accompany them to the afterlife. After entreaties to their business manager (David Richwine), Sis (Liz Curtis) and ex-partner She/Her (Stacey Werner) are met with insulting rejection, Eman realizes, “I’m not the person I thought I was.” This is coupled with Eman’s realization that the people closest to them are on their own respective paths and won’t choose to be detoured.

It’s also telling that, in the limited pool of people they turn to in their final time of need, Eman’s ex-partner bubbles to the top as a choice. Kudos to Stacey Werner for delivering a brooding portrayal within a very funny set of scenarios, with smooth siren songs to cushion She/Her’s blow. (Original score by husband Nicholas Werner.)

Whoever wrote Everyman surely did not envision that his or her play would be told through social media. But as a storytelling device, the screened format and glimpses of random, filtered minutiae work for the type of life Eman lived.

When alive, Eman chooses which attention-seeking segments to share with their billions of subscribers. Then when facing the afterlife, we see the vulnerable Eman examining the more fulfilling path they abandoned before notoriety knocked. Eman arrives too late to the ironic realization that they took life for granted while telling others to live theirs. In consolation, Eman still takes away key life lessons about self-worth, trust, kindness, and sadly, regret.

Much like life itself, the play is loosely structured and mostly unscripted. Director Chris Gibson provided the actors with general plot points, character relationships and scenarios, and the actors used their improvisational skills to hang meat on the bones. The cast pulls this technique off effectively and mostly seamlessly.

Gibson and Benamati conceptualized and timed this play based on the one-year anniversary of the pandemic. Gibson said, “Quarantine has caused a lot of us to feel alone and isolated, and more than that—very, very mortal.”

I think Gibson summed up Open Stage’s rendition of “Everyman” best. “What could be a hotter take on 2021 than a 15th-century morality play?”

“Everyman” runs March 5 to 21, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. through Open Stage’s online streaming program on YouTube and Facebook. Visit www.openstagehbg.com for details about pay-what-you-will tickets.

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Dauphin County to release rent relief money, could relieve large amount of tenant debt

March 5, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Dauphin County Administration building

Harrisburg-area residents struggling financially now have another way to avoid eviction during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dauphin County is expected to receive up to $18 million in state and federal CARES Rent Relief Program funds that it plans to distribute to tenants behind on rent.

“The ongoing pandemic continues to squeeze the budgets of so many residents and families in Dauphin County,” County Commission Chair Jeff Haste said. “This funding is a lifeline for rent due and associated utility costs.”

According to county officials, renters can receive up to 12 months of rental and utility assistance, approved in increments of three months. Tenants can use the funds for back or future rent or utilities.

To be eligible for the program, residents must qualify for unemployment benefits or have experienced a reduction in income, incurred significant costs or experienced other financial hardship due directly or indirectly to COVID-19 that hinder their ability to pay rent. They also must prove there is a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability and must be at 80% “Area Median Income” or below, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Dauphin County’s rent relief funds come during a time when, nationally and locally, people have been struggling to pay rent for nearly a year now. Since September, there have been over 2,500 eviction cases filed in Dauphin County, according to PA Unified Judicial System data collected by the CREATE Lab at Carnegie Mellon University.

Eviction moratoriums from the state, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the city throughout the course of the year have prevented lockouts for some. In Harrisburg, eviction filings have only slightly decreased since the citywide ban was enacted. However, judicial system data shows that actual lockouts have significantly been curtailed by the moratorium.

But moratoriums can only last so long, and renters will still be required to pay up once they expire.

Recently, Harrisburg made a move to help, offering $500,000 in federal Emergency Shelter Grant COVID (ESG/CV) funds. The program has been flooded with applications, according to Lillie Williams, interim director of the city’s Department of Building and Housing Development.

Dauphin County opened the application window for its funds to the public on Monday and, by Friday morning, had already received 285 applications, a county spokesperson confirmed. The window will remain open until the money is gone, though no later than Sept. 30.

According to the county, applicants can expect to be contacted about a week after the application is complete.

The county will administer the funds, and Christian Churches United of the Tri-County Area (CCU), the Salvation Army and Tri County Community Action will assist with processing applications.

Caleb Cossick, a leader at Greater Harrisburg Tenants United, a local tenant advocacy group, has been working with renters, educating and advocating on their behalf throughout the pandemic. Now he’s working with CCU to process applications.

“The hope would be that this can solve a lot of the debt crisis,” he said. “This is a lot of money.”

Cossick said that he believes the $18 million will be enough to cover all the eviction cases that have been filed in the county. The average claim in an eviction case is just over $2,000, according to PA judicial system data. However, not everyone with back rent has been to court, he said.

Overall, Cossick is optimistic about the funding, saying that the few eligibility requirements make the program accessible to those who need it. His only concern is that funds won’t be distributed before the federal or city moratoriums expire.

Cossick encourages applicants to make sure that they have all necessary documents ready when applying, including pay stubs or unemployment papers, identification, a signed lease and documentation from a landlord and/or utility provider demonstrating nonpayment of rent.

If residents have questions about the county’s rent relief program, they can call 2-1-1 or email [email protected].

Online applications can be found here. Paper applications can be picked up at The Northern Dauphin Services Center, 295 State Drive, Elizabethville, or at Christian Churches United’s outdoor box, 413 S. 19^th St., Harrisburg. All paper applications must be returned to CCU.

For more information, visit Dauphin County’s website.

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