Salisbury: More than $1.3 million awarded for affordable housing

Will also fund dispute resolution services, tools for first-time homebuyers

Rep. Abigail Salisbury    June 19, 2024 | 11:04 AM

BRADDOCK, June 19 – New grant funding of $1.35 million will ensure more residents in the 34th Legislative District have access to affordable housing and the critical benefits that go along with it, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today. 

Salisbury, D-Allegheny, said some of the grants from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency will fund construction or renovation of affordable housing units, while other funding will expand dispute resolution services and first-time homebuyer tools for residents across the region.

“A place to call home means a place to be safe,” Salisbury said. “It means a place to provide security and shelter for loved ones, to have access to a network of neighbors and a community where services are available. It means the ability to go out and find meaningful work and a stable environment to return to. Everyone deserves these basic resources that flow from having a place to live. This funding is a huge step in that direction.”

Salisbury said the funding includes:

  • $300,000 to Zakiyah House for affordable housing units, with priority given to those who face housing discrimination because of a criminal record or substance use disorder mental health issues.
  • $300,000 to Allegheny County Dept. of Human Services for expanding landlord-tenant dispute resolution services and stabilizing housing for residents.
  • $250,000 to the Wilkinsburg Land Bank for a project to transform 43 blighted properties into affordable housing.
  • $200,000 to the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh to provide education and financial management tools for first-time homebuyers. 
  • $200,000 to the Pennsylvania Affordable Housing Corporation to rehabilitate 30 rental units in Homewood for low-income tenants.
  • $100,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh to create two single-family homes on Tioga Street in Homewood for sale to two low- to moderate-income families.

The grants were awarded under the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement program. Funding for the PHARE program comes from the Marcellus Shale impact fee, the Realty Transfer Tax and the National Housing Trust Fund.

More information is available here: https://www.phfa.org/legislation/act105.aspx.