PHFA announces $6.2 million in funding for housing throughout the Marcellus Shale region

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Oct 13, 2016, 01:10 ET

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency today announced that its board has approved $6.2 million for 40 housing projects to improve the availability and affordability of housing in 29 counties.

These projects are being supported by the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) fund, which is administered by PHFA and funded by the 2012 Act 13 impact fee on natural gas producers.

"The PHARE program is doing a terrific job of helping to address the housing shortage created by the growth of the natural gas industry in the Marcellus Shale region," said Governor Tom Wolf. "Local governments are directing the funding to projects that can produce the most positive impact by rehabilitating housing, or building new housing, that is affordable in their communities."

Award recipients were approved during PHFA's board of directors meeting today.

"Now in its fifth year, the PHARE program has proven its value to local community leaders who have played a vital role in its success," said Brian A. Hudson Sr., PHFA's executive director and CEO. "Since its inception, the program has invested more than $39 million into Pennsylvania communities, in addition to nearly $255 million of other leveraged funding, to complete these housing projects and programs. The PHARE program provides a good example of state and local governments partnering to improve housing for Pennsylvanians."

A list of today's PHARE funding recipients is provided below.

Allegheny	Accessibility Program	$175,000
Armstrong	Emergency Housing Program	$55,000
Beaver	Rental and Utility Assistance	$25,000
Blair	Rental Assistance Program	$50,000
Bradford	Homeowner Rehabilitation Program	$175,000
Bradford	Home Purchase Grant Program	$535,000
Butler	Acquisition/Rehabilitation Program	$275,000
Centre	Rental Assistance Program	$20,000
Clarion	Rental Assistance Program	$25,000
Clearfield	Rental Assistance and Case Management Program	$60,000
Clinton	Rental Assistance and Education Project	$41,000
Crawford	South Main Neighborhood Improvement Program	$5,000
Elk	Accessible Housing Program	$38,000
Elk	Housing Stability Program	$25,000
Fayette	Neighborhood Stabilization Initiative	$150,000
Greene	Parkview Knoll Apartments	$600,000
Indiana	Housing Efficiency Pilot Program	$50,000
Jefferson	Jefferson County Housing Emergency Repair Assistance Program	$50,000
Lawrence	Countywide Housing Rehabilitation and Blight Removal Program	$50,000
Lycoming	Muncy Greene Senior Housing Development	$800,000
Lycoming	City of Williamsport Historic Properties Rehabilitation Program	$225,000
Lycoming	Brodart Neighborhood Improvement Homes-In-Need Program	$75,000
McKean	Second Ward Neighborhood Housing Program	$50,000
Mercer	Homebuyer Assistance Program	$35,000
Potter	Homeless Prevention Program	$40,000
Sullivan	Rental Assistance Program	$70,000
Susquehanna	Transitional Housing Re-entry Program	$396,000
Susquehanna	Rental and Utility Assistance	$124,000
Susquehanna	Home Buyer Assistance Grant Program	$127,000
Susquehanna	Forest City Affordable Housing Program	$435,000
Tioga	Department of Human Services	$72,000
Tioga	David's By the Lake	$83,000
Tioga	Kenner Court/Garnet House	$91,000
Tioga	St. James Relocation Expenses Program	$92,000
Venango	Veterans Fairweather Lodge	$15,000
Warren	Roofing Program	$30,000
Washington	Washington Trust Building	$750,000
Westmoreland	Homeownership Program/Shaner Heights Rental Rehabilitation Project	$150,000
Wyoming	Rental Assistance Program	$15,000
Wyoming	Home Buyer Assistance Grant Program	$126,000
TOTAL		$6,205,000

About PHFA
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency works to provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for older adults, low- and moderate-income families, and people with special housing needs. Through its carefully managed mortgage programs and investments in multifamily housing developments, PHFA also promotes economic development across the state. Since its creation by the legislature in 1972, it has generated more than $12.8 billion of funding for more than 165,000 single-family home mortgage loans, helped fund the construction of 129,322 rental units, and saved the homes of more than 48,650 families from foreclosure. PHFA programs and operations are funded primarily by the sale of securities and from fees paid by program users, not by public tax dollars. The agency is governed by a 14-member board.

MEDIA CONTACT: Scott Elliott, 717.649.6522

SOURCE Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency