PITTSTON – The City of Pittston Housing Authority (PHA) was one of 14 agencies nationwide awarded the Move to Work (MTW) designation.

The MTW program is made up of agencies across the country who have applied for the opportunity and been selected through a competitive review process. The program relies on creating innovative policies and implementing creative solutions to local problems.

Acceptance into this program boasts a 20-year designation through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that allows for activities that empower residents, promote economic self-sufficiency and improve housing choices.

The PHA will be working over the next several months to transition into this designation program.

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“Once again, the city and its agencies continue to seek out the best possible opportunities for its residents and move the city to the forefront of progress. We are excited about the opportunities that Move to Work will bring for both the PHA and its residents, but also how this will align and further the mission of the City to be the best place to live in Northeast Pennsylvania,” PHA Executive Director Joe Chacke said.

“The MTW program will provide better housing choice option for residents,” Shannon Bonacci, PHA deputy director, said. “For example, the program would enable launching a first-time homebuyer program for residents who are already paying max rents and would qualify, or developing pathways out of subsidized housing through economic development programs.”

Bonacci continued, “MTW will also allow us to leverage our partnerships with other entities like the City’s Office of Community Development and the Redevelopment Authority to combine resources to roll out programs that benefits housing residents. Our goal is to break generational cycles of poverty and this program is an end to the goal.”

For more information, visit pittstonhousingauthority.com.