PA Housing Authority Accepting Proposals To Improve Housing In Marcellus Shale Areas

The PA Housing Finance Agency Monday issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for projects to improve the availability and affordability of housing in the Marcellus Shale region of the state. The deadline for proposal submission is 2 p.m. on August 12.

The funding to address these housing needs comes from Act 13 Marcellus Shale impact fees. Those fees are directed to, and administered from, the PA Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Fund.

This year's funding includes $5 million received in 2016 for wells drilled or active in 2015, as well as Marcellus Shale impact fee funds provided to municipalities that exceeded a certain percentage or dollar amount set by law.

Eligible applicants for the 2016 RFP include Pennsylvania counties that have adopted ordinances authorizing the imposition of an impact fee and that have unconventional gas wells.

"We have had great success in letting local governments and community leaders guide the investment of this funding to where it can do the most good," said PHFA Executive Director and CEO Brian A. Hudson Sr. "Local people know best how to apply these dollars to improve housing in their communities. We look forward to seeing the ideas shared in this year's proposals for PHARE funding."

The RFP stresses the agency's desire to fund projects that will leverage other funds and partnerships to improve housing in a community. Proposals must ensure that at least 30 percent of any funds awarded will be used to help people or families with incomes below 50 percent of the median area income.

The proposals cannot serve people or families with incomes above 200 percent of the median area income. Additional requirements are described in detail in the RFP.

2 Webinars

PHFA will host two webinars during which potential applicants can ask questions and get clarification about the requirements of the RFP. These will be held on June 29 and July 20. More information about these sessions is available online. Interested parties may also contact Clay Lambert at 717-780-1855.

For all the details, visit the PHFA PHARE webpage (click on 2016).