More than $1.6 million in proceeds from the Marcellus Shale impact fee will benefit several local housing projects throughout the 110th District in Bradford, Sullivan and Susquehanna counties, according to a press release issued on Tuesday from the office of Rep. Tina Pickett.
“The boom of the Marcellus Shale has led to a lack of affordable housing throughout the region, and that is one of the reasons why we created the impact fee, so that communities could use the revenue to help address the effects of drilling,” Pickett was quoted as saying. “The seven projects receiving funding will help residents better afford housing and utility payments, make necessary repairs to existing housing units, develop new townhomes and assist with down payment and closing costs for home purchases.”
The projects receiving funding include:
- Leased Housing Rental Start-Up, Bradford County, to receive $50,000, to assist with first month’s rent and security deposits for eligible households.
- Page Manor Exterior Restoration, Bradford County, to receive $156,000, to make necessary exterior repairs to an existing 68-unit affordable housing complex.
- Wyalusing Meadows, Bradford County, to receive $570,000, to develop 50 new affordable townhome units for general occupancy.
- Gateway Commons, Bradford County, to receive $500,000, to develop 40 units of affordable housing for general occupancy, within 10 smaller residential buildings.
- Rental Assistance Program, Sullivan County, to receive $70,000, to provide rental assistance for up to three consecutive months. This will also allow the county’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program funding to be used exclusively for utility payment assistance to low-income households.
- Susquehanna County Rental and Utility Assistance, Susquehanna County, to receive $125,000, to assist individuals and families facing eviction or homelessness by providing funds to help with rental, utility and security deposit needs.
- Susquehanna County Home Buyer Assistance Grant Program, Susquehanna County, to receive $180,000, to provide up to $12,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for home purchases.
The projects are being funded through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Fund, which is administered by Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, and funded by impact fee on natural gas producers.