Irwin group seeks funds for home cleanup, hoarding disorder treatment

An Irwin-based organization that strives to address blight-related problems is proposing to provide mental health services to those with hoarding disorders.

“There’s no formal program (for treating hoarding disorders) in Westmoreland County and this half of the state,” said Matt Williams, founder of the nonprofit Fight the Blight Inc.

Williams asked Irwin council members this week to enter into a partnership where his organization would be allocated the money Irwin has earmarked in the 2024 budget — $7,500 for contractors to clean up abandoned properties and $2,000 for blight remediation, research and removal of material. That money in the proposed 2024 budget does not specify a recipient, the same as in the current budget.

With the financial support from the borough, Williams said Fight the Blight can use it for a match toward a $35,000 grant it is seeking from the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County. The Community Foundation does not want to be the sole financial source for a project, Williams said.

If Fight the Blight succeeds in landing the grant from the Greensburg-based foundation, about $20,000 would be used for treatment of those suffering from hoarding disorders.

Williams envisions offering support group sessions for hoarders, lessons in sorting and organizing items in their residences, removing debris from the hoarder’s home and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Fight the Blight, which formed the Hoarding Alliance of Westmoreland County as a subcommittee, will learn next month whether its application is approved, Williams said.

As envisioned, the services would be focused on targeted areas, such as Irwin and North Irwin, in which 49% of the population’s income is at or less than 200% of the federal poverty level. The services would be available to homeowners and renters, Williams said, but the hoarders who are renters are ones targeted for eviction, he said.

Councilman Shawn Stitely questioned who would be eligible for such services, particularly landlords collecting rent, but not repairing their properties.

“We have a lot of slumlords in Irwin” — residences with windows boarded up or owners using duct tape to make repairs, Stitely said.

Households with an income of less than 150% of the povery rate would be eligible for free services. Those with higher incomes would pay for the services.

“This is certainly a need … a lot of people really need these services. It requires a team to address this,” Williams said.