Allegheny County affordable housing programs receive more than $8M in state funding

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency provided more than $8 million in funding to support about 30 affordable housing programs in Allegheny County.

That was part of $61.5 million the agency awarded through its Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement, or PHARE, program.

“PHARE is one of our most popular programs because local leaders and organizations determine the best application of the funding to address their housing needs,” PHFA Executive Director and CEO Robin Wiessmann said.

Funding for the PHARE program comes from a portion of the impact fees collected from natural gas companies operating in the state and a portion of the realty transfer tax.

PHFA officials said about two-thirds of the PHARE funding will be used to fund housing projects benefiting households with incomes below 50% of the area median income. Statewide, the cash will create 752 new affordable housing units, while preserving and rehabilitating more than 2,000 additional affordable units.

Locally, Amani Christian Community Development Corp. will get $350,000 to assist with the construction of a mixed-use development that will include mixed-rate commercial space and a dozen apartments in Pittsburgh’s Hill District.

Rising Tide Partners is slated to receive $250,000 to redevelop at least 30 single-family homes in several Pittsburgh neighborhoods to provide new affordable homeownership opportunities.

Nearly $200,000 is allocated to the county’s Department of Human Services for a pilot program set to launch at various magisterial district court offices to increase mediation access and stabilize housing for residents at risk of eviction. A separate allocation to the department of over $97,000 is earmarked to support people transitioning out of homeless system housing programs.

The Bedford Dwellings redevelopment project in the Hill District will get $1 million to help build affordable housing.

Bethlehem Haven will get $350,000 to renovate its Fifth Avenue location, which offers long-term residential supportive housing for women.

Neighborhood Housing Services will receive $325,000 to help implement a variety of community-based homeownership programming, while another $120,000 is earmarked to help Hazelwood Initiative build three new housing units.

The Center that CARES is slated to receive the same amount to rehabilitate the former Holy Rosary Convent into 13 studio apartments for young adults and offer supportive services and employment connections.

Operation Better Block will receive $150,000 to rehabilitate an abandoned building in Homewood and build six affordable housing units and commercial space there, while East Liberty Development Inc. is slated to receive $400,000 to rehabilitate six vacant houses.

The Pennsylvania Affordable Housing Corp. will use $350,000 to create a workforce housing development in Pittsburgh’s Homewood, which will include 11 affordable apartments and co-working space.

The Community Builders Inc. will receive $1 million for a multi-phase development in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty that will include renovating 136 housing units.

Studio Volcy’s Rhythm Square project, a mixed-use development in the Hill District that will feature affordable housing and commercial spaces, will receive $200,000.

A $500,000 allocation will help fund a Studio XO Pittsburgh initiative that aims to create new affordable housing, a salon and spa, classrooms and an outdoor courtyard along Centre Avenue in the Hill District.

The Salvation Army will get $175,000 to support a 36-bed homeless shelter in East Liberty.

Second Avenue Commons, a homeless shelter in Downtown Pittsburgh, will receive $100,000.

The Home Accessibility Program for Independence, an initiative launched by the city’s Urban Redevelopment Authority, is slated to use $250,000 to provide grants to homeowners and renters for accessibility modifications to their homes that allow them to age in place and avoid displacement.

“We’re also excited to see many projects the URA supports receive funding awards that will help create, rehab or preserve affordable housing units across Pittsburgh,” the authority said.

Other Allegheny County recipients will use cash for projects that will renovate blighted structures into permanent affordable housing and provide financial education and housing counseling to new homeowners.

The funding will make “an enormous impact” and “change the lives of hundreds of families in our communities,” state Sen. Wayne Fontana, D-Brookline, said in a statement.