Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf recently announced a proposed overhaul of state programs to help Pennsylvanians receiving public benefits earn career-building skills, find good jobs, and access affordable, permanent housing, among other goals. The overhaul would create greater accountability for programs aimed at getting people into the workforce, increase collaboration between benefit agencies and workforce development, and transition funding used for General Assistance to increase access to housing.

“It is a worthy goal to get more people working, and these revamped programs will ensure people obtain not just good jobs, but family-sustaining careers, and remove barriers to obtaining affordable housing, which can help them transition off public assistance benefits for the long term,” said Gov. Wolf. “If they are able and healthy, we want more people in the workforce. These steps will move us towards that goal without putting people at risk of losing their health care.”

According to Community Action Association of PA, a sizable majority of poor Pennsylvanians are working; more than 60 percent of households in the state include one or more people who worked at least part-time. The challenge is finding people jobs that they can keep, that provide a career path, and that pay enough to support a family. That challenge is compounded by barriers that can seem insurmountable for finding and keeping a good job. Barriers include a lack of child care, transportation, and affordable housing. Click here to read the full article.