Shapiro Administration Invests $6M for Affordable Housing in Pennsylvania

Efforts to Enhance Affordable Housing in Pennsylvania Gain Momentum

The Shapiro Administration recently announced a significant investment aimed at expanding affordable housing options for low-income residents in Pennsylvania. With a budget allocation of $6,077,776 through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, the initiative targets 12 counties to enhance and maintain housing for those in need.

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program, managed by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), offers crucial financial support to municipalities. This assistance comes in the form of grants and loans, aimed at boosting the availability of decent and affordable housing for low-income families.

"The HOME Investment Partnerships Program plays a vital role in improving access to safe, affordable housing for low-income Pennsylvanians ― creating a stable foundation for families and individuals to thrive while also supporting dynamic, vibrant local economies," stated DCED Secretary Rick Siger. "The Shapiro Administration is committed to boosting the availability of housing that supports our growing workforce and those struggling to find a home they can afford. We will continue to make investments like these that strengthen communities and create new opportunity for all Pennsylvanians."

Details of the awards and their recipients can be found online.

Key Projects Funded

• Crawford County – The City of Meadville will receive $596,407 to build six one-bedroom apartments for very low-income and disabled residents, including three accessible units.
• Luzerne County – The City of Pittston is allocated $318,000 to develop a three-bedroom modular unit for a low-income family under a lease-to-purchase arrangement.
• Schuylkill County – The City of Pottsville will utilize $400,000 to refurbish around eight owner-occupied homes in collaboration with Schuylkill Community Action.
• Somerset County – With $250,000, the county, alongside the Somerset County Redevelopment Authority and Center for Community Action, plans to renovate approximately six owner-occupied homes.
• Union County – A partnership with the Union County Housing Authority will see $400,000 invested in the renovation of about seven owner-occupied homes.

Funds for the HOME program are allocated to the DCED from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through annual entitlements. These funds are flexible, supporting new construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing, as well as assistance for first-time buyers and support for Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO).

Pennsylvania's Commitment to Housing Solutions

Since Governor Josh Shapiro assumed office in 2023, several initiatives have been launched to tackle the housing crisis in Pennsylvania:

• Issuing an Executive Order to develop the state's first comprehensive Housing Action Plan.
• Increasing the PHARE fund cap by $10 million, resulting in a 55% rise in PHARE-funded projects and over 8,200 housing units built or repaired.
• Disbursing over $120.3 million through the Whole-Home Repairs program to assist low- and moderate-income homeowners.
• Securing $5 million for the Help at Home program to reduce wait times for senior services.
• Allocating $2.5 million in state funding to provide legal aid for eviction cases, marking a first for the state.
• Increasing the Homeless Assistance Program budget by $5 million to enhance supportive housing services.

For further details on the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and the DCED's initiatives, visit the DCED website. Stay informed by following their updates on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.