A little over $1.9 million in state funding for affordable housing is coming to Lancaster County, officials announced Thursday.
The grants are part of $48.4 million in allocations made to 245 initiatives statewide. Locally, six initiatives are being funded, as follows:
- YWCA Lancaster: $250,000 to add 16 units to its Kepler Hall residences at 110 N. Lime St. and renovate the existing 38 units there;
- SACA Development Corp.: $350,000 units to build nine townhouses as part of Phase II of its Conestoga North project;
- Building & Supporting Entrepreneurship (BASE) of Southeast Lancaster: $200,000 for its Home Ownership Made Equal (HOME) program to assist low- and moderate-income minority first-time homebuyers;
- Lancaster City Housing Authority: $336,000 to renovate 40 apartments for wheelchair accessibility at Church Street Towers and Farnum Street East
- Lancaster County Redevelopment Authority: $350,000 each ($700,000 total) for its home repair and mobile home repair programs
- Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity: $100,000 to rehabilitate four houses in the cities of Lancaster and Lebanon
The money comes from the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) fund, established in 2010. The fund is supported by impact fees from fracking and by a portion of the realty transfer tax.
It is overseen by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. The agency’s board approved the allocations Thursday.
Gov. Tom Wolf said Thursday’s allocations are part of the state’s efforts to ensure all Pennsylvanians have access to affordable, safe housing.
“This funding will ensure that the money is applied where the need is greatest
and can accomplish the most good,” he said.
In a statement, state Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, said, “I was happy to offer my support for our local PHARE applicants and I congratulate them on their funding.”
