McNeill: Over $690,000 in state tax credits awarded to area projects

Rep. Jeanne McNeill    June 14, 2022 | 11:45 AM

WHITEHALL, June 14 – State funding totaling $691,291 from the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement fund has been awarded to various community initiatives, state Rep. Jeanne McNeill announced today.

“Everyone in Pennsylvania deserves to have a safe place to call home for themselves and their families and this funding supports programs and services that help those who need it most,” McNeill said. “I am pleased to see this financial support coming to our area to benefit these projects so they continue providing support here in our community.”

McNeill said the following projects in the 133rd District received funding:

  • Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, Inc. - $411,800 to expand the owner-occupied rehab program to include energy efficiency and mobility upgrades to create safe, affordable and sustainable living situations while also decreasing utility bills.
  • United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley - $239,451 to provide eviction defense services to 225 low-income households to prevent evictions and result in other beneficial outcomes including settlements, preserving housing subsidies, avoiding excessive debt and/or improving habitability of housing.
  • Bucks County Housing Group, Inc. - $40,000 for expanding and preserving the Housing Counseling Program for low-income and first-time homebuyers through its Home Ownership Savings Account and First-Time Homebuyer Seminar efforts in Lehigh and Northampton counties.

The PHARE fund – also known as the state’s Housing Trust Fund – is supported by impact fees collected from natural gas companies and from a portion of the realty transfer tax.

The awards are part of a package for projects statewide. More information on the funding is available here: https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-announces-funding-to-support-affordable-housing-across-pennsylvania/.