McNeill announces more than $970K in funding to support affordable housing, address blight in Lehigh Valley

Rep. Jeanne McNeill    June 10, 2021 | 4:37 PM

State Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-Lehigh, today announced $971,628 in funding from the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement fund has been awarded to community and government housing initiatives in the 133rd District.

“I’m pleased to announce that out of the $44.9 million allocated in total during this new round of funding, the inclusion of such thoughtful investment from the PHARE program here in our community,” said McNeill. “These financial resources enable local leaders to continue advancing these vital initiatives so they may continue fostering effective outcomes, directly benefiting our communities and those most in need of affordable housing.”

The projects receiving funding are:

  • $61,628 to Lehigh County for the rehabilitation of two properties in Whitehall Township, focusing on modifications that make the homes more accessible and maintain critical affordable housing stock for adults with disabilities

  • $250,000 to Lehigh/Northampton counties to address the most critical housing needs for owner-occupied low-income households in the Lehigh Valley. Community Action Better Homes will incorporate energy efficient measures and partner with Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley’s weatherization program to ensure rehabilitation reduces utility bills and creates a safe, affordable and sustainable living situation for low-to-moderate-income households.

  • $60,000 to Lehigh/Northampton counties to expand and preserve homeownership opportunities for low-income first-time homebuyers through the Community Action Financial Services Homeownership Counseling Program FirstTime Homebuyer Seminars and increasing the administrative assistant’s hours to full-time to build capacity in the program and serve more participants.

  • $200,000 to Lehigh/Northampton counties to stably house 125 low-income households in appropriate rental units.

  • $400,000 to Lehigh/Northampton counties to support the redevelopment of two blighted properties in the city of Bethlehem as well as aid the City of Bethlehem Housing Rehabilitation Program through a facade improvement grant program targeting exterior improvements to owner-occupied residences in the city.

According to McNeill, the PHARE fund is managed by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, with its funding provided from several sources. The primary funding source coming from impact fees collected from natural gas companies operating in the state with the goal of addressing the housing shortage caused by the impact of drilling.  The fund is supplemented with funding provided by a portion of the realty transfer tax.

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