HARRISBURG – State Senator Gene Yaw (R-23) today lauded the recent announcement by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) that $3.8 million in Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) funding will be directed back to his Senate District to improve housing availability and affordability.
Roughly 42 percent of the overall (statewide) $9.3 million will be directed to 11 projects in Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan and Susquehanna counties. The PHARE Fund is administered by PHFA and funded by Act 13’s impact fee on natural gas producers. Award recipients were chosen at PHFA’s Board of Directors meeting last week.
“PHARE is a crucial part of our overall effort to improve our economy and provide affordable housing to state residents, especially in the Northern Tier and across the Senate District I am proud to represent,” Yaw said. “I’m happy to report that over $3 million was awarded by the PHFA Board of Directors and will be directed back to the 23rd District.”
Projects in Sen. Yaw’s District include:
Bradford County
- Colonial Towers, $210,000, project that will assist with the preservation of 100 units for seniors and those with disabilities by completing a roof replacement, which was initiated last year.
- 419 Main Street, $450,000, project that will rehabilitate the second and third floors of a Towanda Borough building into four, two bedroom apartments for the disabled.
- Wyalusing Meadows, $600,000, project to develop 50 affordable townhome units for general occupancy.
Lycoming County
- Grove Street Commons, $250,000, project to develop 32 affordable units for senior citizens 62 and older.
- Lycoming County Supportive Housing Program, $500,000, project that will provide rental assistance for 62 households.
- Brodart Neighborhood Improvement Program, $300,000, project that will use funds to build on the existing homeowners rehabilitation done with the help of PHARE funds awarded in the 2012 and 2013 rounds. Funds will be used to assist with interior and exterior health and safety home improvements.
- Lycoming County Flood Mitigation Program, $850,000, project will use funds to assist residents affected by the recent changes to the Federal Biggert-Waters Act. Mitigation measures may include obtaining elevation certificates, retrofitting utilities out of the base flood elevation, elevating structures, filling basements and property buy-outs.
- Homes-in-Need Regional Program, $200,000, project that will use funds to provide necessary interior and exterior weatherization, renovation and repair services to areas determined as a result of the feasibility study being completed in Lycoming County.
Sullivan County
- Sullivan County Rental Assistance Program, $100,000, project will use funds to provide rental assistance limited to county households who do not receive subsidized rental assistance.
Susquehanna County
- Susquehanna County Rental and Utility Assistance, $100,000, project will use funds to provide one time rental or utility assistance to local households facing eviction, homelessness or utility service termination.
- Susquehanna County Neighborhood Stabilization, $315,000, project will use funds to acquire and either rehabilitate or demolish and construct three units of affordable housing.
“We expect these projects to have a significant, positive impact helping counties address housing and community needs resulting from the development of gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale region,” said Brian A. Hudson Sr., PHFA executive director and CEO.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, visit www.phfa.org.
CONTACT:
Rita Zielonis
717-787-3280