Causer Announces Funding for Affordable Housing

HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) today announced nearly $170,000 in funding for three affordable housing projects in the 67^th Legislative District.

The funding is provided through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund and impact fees generated by drilling in the Marcellus Shale.

“These investments will go a long way toward ensuring the availability of affordable housing to our citizens and at the same time will also support efforts to revamp and revitalize our communities,” Causer said.

The funding was awarded as follows:

·         City of Bradford Second Ward Neighborhood Revitalization Project -- $20,000. The project includes the acquisition of homes and vacant lots to make way for the construction of new in-fill housing or the rehabilitation of those able to be saved. The project anticipates the construction of four new homes and one existing home.

·         57 Hawthorne Road, Bradford -- $20,000.  This project involves the demolition of an existing structure to make way for the eventual development of a new duplex to be made available to low-income households.

·         Potter County Homeless Prevention Program -- $129,895. The program will provide short- and medium-term assistance in the form of rental payments, security and utility deposits and utility payments in order to rapidly re-house those currently homeless or those at risk of becoming homeless. Priority will be given to households at or below 50 percent of the area median income. It is anticipated that 40 households will be assisted at an average of $1,200 per household.

The affordable housing program is administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. A total of $8.45 million is being distributed in 22 Pennsylvania counties.