Butler County was awarded $368,313 to help homeless families find housing and other services.

Dennis Davin, secretary of the state Department of Community and Economic Development, announced on Friday that the $5.5 million in homeless assistance and prevention funds was provided through the federal Emergency Solutions Grant program.

The funds were awarded in 25 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties.

“We are pleased to get these resources to on-the-ground community organizations that are trusted in their neighborhoods to assist individuals and families experiencing or facing homelessness,” Davin said.

Catholic Charities and The CARE Center in Butler County will receive the funds to help homeless families in six categories: rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, street outreach, emergency shelter, homeless management information systems and administration.

The CARE Center on North Main Street Extension provides a continuum of quality, recovery-based, trauma-informed, integrated services, including education, intervention, case management, treatment, aftercare and referrals to individuals and families.

Catholic Charities on West New Castle Street is often a homeless individual's or family's first point of contact in getting housing services in the county.

Neighboring counties also awarded the DCED funds are Armstrong and Mercer.