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Pennsylvania Doles Out Housing Grants To Help Opioid Crisis

Matt Rourke
/
AP

Pennsylvania is setting up a $15 million pilot program to give support services and housing help for state residents fighting opioid addiction.

Gov. Tom Wolf's administration said Wednesday the federal grants aim to encourage treatment and recovery and reduce overdose deaths.

Housing aid could include temporary rent assistance. The support services could include applying for food stamps, linking people with recovery services and working out transportation needs.

The money is going to 16 agencies and health entities, based on a formula that takes into account their county's rate of substance abuse disorder and overdose-related deaths.

The administration estimates that drug overdose deaths in Pennsylvania fell from about 5,600 in 2017 to about 4,300 last year.

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