Submitted Article
Seeking to aid those affected by COVID-19, Rep. Jonathan Fritz (Susquehanna/Wayne) announced that multiple housing authorities and programs were awarded $1,620,000 through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) funding program.
“So many people in our communities have really fallen on hard times due to the pandemic, especially low-income families,” said Fritz. “I am happy to see that several of our local housing authorities and programs were awarded these funds to help lessen the financial burdens residents are currently facing, as it gives them access to affordable housing and utility payment assistance.”
Susquehanna County Neighborhood Stabilization received $500,000 to continue their Neighborhood Stabilization Program by acquiring and renovating vacant and blighted homes for resale or rent to lower income families to provide affordable housing units.
Hallstead Affordable Housing received $995,000 to construct Phase 2 of the Hallstead Affordable Housing project on the site of the former blighted Hallstead school. Phase 2 will include the site work and construction of two additional buildings of duplex style housing for a total of four rental units for those over age 55.
Susquehanna County Rental and Utility Assistance Program received $125,000 to provide rental and utility assistance to low-income residents of Susquehanna County, to promote stable housing and forestall eviction or utility termination.
Funding for the PHARE program comes from three main sources, which include Marcellus Shale Impact Fees, Realty Transfer Taxes and the National Housing Trust Fund.