Department Of Community & Economic Development Pennsylvania

The Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) of Pennsylvania is a state government entity registered with the federal government to receive federal awards and is based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. As the Commonwealth's primary economic development agency, DCED serves as a critical conduit for channeling federal resources into community development, housing, economic opportunity, and social service initiatives across Pennsylvania. The organization administers a diverse portfolio of federal grants ranging from housing and homelessness programs to broadband infrastructure, workforce development, and disaster recovery assistance.

DCED's federal grant portfolio reflects its comprehensive role in addressing critical state needs across multiple domains. In housing and homelessness, the organization has received substantial formula grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including the Housing Trust Fund ($5.66 million), HOME Investment Partnerships Program ($18.78 million), Emergency Solutions Grant ($5.75 million), Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) ($3.67 million), and multiple Continuum of Care (CoC) Program awards totaling over $3.4 million to support permanent housing, transitional housing, rapid rehousing, and supportive services for homeless individuals and families. The department has also administered the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program ($1.43 million) and Recovery Housing Program funding under the SUPPORT Act to provide stable temporary housing for individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. Beyond housing, DCED has received significant federal funding for broadband and digital equity initiatives, including a $25.5 million State Digital Equity Planning and Capacity Grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and a Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program grant for broadband deployment planning. Community development and economic support services are funded through Community Services Block Grants (CSBG) exceeding $11 million biennially from the Administration for Children and Families, Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for disaster recovery and general community development, and State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grants totaling over $1.7 million from the Small Business Administration to support small business export promotion. Additionally, DCED administers energy efficiency initiatives through the Weatherization Assistance Program ($21.87 million) from the Department of Energy, Appalachian regional development grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission, and economic development support through EDA American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation funding. The organization sub-awards the majority of these funds to local partners including nonprofits, community action groups, local governments, universities, and community-based organizations to implement targeted services and programs, serving as an intermediary that ensures federal resources effectively reach communities throughout Pennsylvania.