Archives
Housing authority site gets tenants
WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- South Greengate Commons, the first construction project by the Westmoreland County Housing Authority in about three decades, has its first tenants.
Treasurer McCord Encourages Families to Start 529 Plan, Create Lasting Legacy and Enjoy Unique...
Harrisburg - October 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- As a record number of households struggle with student loans, State Treasurer Rob McCord said many grandparents are playing a more active role in helping their grandchildren afford college. A Pennsylvania 529 account, he said, offers great tax advantages and estate planning benefits
PHA and Cheyney University Form Educational Partnership
Philadelphia, PA - October 16, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Philadelphia Housing Authority and Cheyney University have inked a three-year agreement that features 12 special initiatives to enhance educational opportunities for public housing residents and agency employees.
Philly-area housing authorities still functioning despite federal shutdown
WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 14, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nearly a million federal workers, including most employees of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, remain furloughed this week as a partial government shutdown continues.
PHA Nationally Recognized as a Green Organization
Philadelphia, PA - October 9, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) is one of 17 affordable housing organizations across the country to achieve full Green Organizational Accreditation through a pilot program from the Sustainable Performance Institute (SPI) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The accreditation recognizes HUD-assisted organizations that are institutionalizing energy-efficient, green building practices in their day-to-day operations, as well as long-term rehabilitation and redevelopment of their affordable housing portfolios
Effect of Federal Shutdown on HUD Housing Assistance and Community Development programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 8, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- As you likely know, the House and Senate failed to agree on a “Continuing Resolution” (CR) to provide short-term funding for fiscal year 2014, which began October 1, and Congress hasn’t enacted any FY14 appropriations bills. Without 2014 funds to use to pay for agency operations, a large share of federal employees have been furloughed, including 96 percent of HUD staff. At this point, it is unclear how long the partial shutdown will continue. There is no clear “end game” in sight, though many observers believe that the October 17th deadline to raise the debt ceiling or risk default on federal payment obligations may lead Congress and the President to resolve the shutdown, as well, around that time if a CR is not enacted before then
Affordable Care Act Update
WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 4, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- With open enrollment starting for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid eligibility changes going into effect, October 1st is a big day for the Department of Public Welfare (DPW). [DPW wants] to take this opportunity to give you an update on the ACA in case you have questions about what happens on October 1st
PHFA issues consumer advisory
HARRISBURG - October 3, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency today is issuing this consumer advisory about predatory websites offering financial services that claim to be PHFA loans or that give the impression that PHFA endorses their product.
Necessity Providers and Advocates for Affordable Housing Left Hanging
WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 3, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Weeks ago appointments were made by the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania for a statewide collective of advocates and private citizens to meet with the state’s elected federal representatives. More than 50 concerned agency representatives converged on Harrisburg to advocate for their clients. Because the federal government has shut down, non-essential staff persons have been sent home and federal law makes it illegal for them to voluntarily keep this commitment. Those advocates hoping to speak with representatives of Senators Casey and Toomey will go home without being heard
PHFA announces foreclosure help for homeowners in Westmoreland County
HARRISBURG - September 30, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, in collaboration with the American Society of Certified Housing Executives (ASCHE) and the National Real Estate Training Institute (NREI), today announces a day-long event for Westmoreland County residents in danger of losing their home or struggling with their mortgage. This special event will be held Oct. 10 at the Ramada Greensburg Hotel and Conference Center, 100 Ramada Inn Drive, Greensburg, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m
Support reasonable funding levels for USDA’s rural housing programs in 2015 budget
WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 24, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Housing Assistance Council invites you to join us in signing on to the letter below, urging President Obama and Secretary Vilsack to request reasonable funding levels for USDA's rural housing programs in the Administration's 2015 budget.
‘It’s Time’ to make PA DPW into Department of Human Services
WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 24, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Campaign for What Works says "It's Time" to send legislation changing the name of the Department of Public Welfare to the Department of Human Services to Governor Corbett for his signature
$3 million in funding available for Veterans’ housing, employment and other assistance
WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 19, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Veterans Leadership Program has received $3 million in funding for housing, employment and other assistance for Veterans and their families residing in southwestern Pennsylvania
More poverty after three years of recovery than during the Great Recession
WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 19, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- There were nearly 6.7 million more poor people in 2012 than in 2008, a year deep in the Great Recession. Three years into the Great Unshared Recovery, poverty is worse than in 2008, median income is down, and people are slipping out of the middle class. More than one-third of our nation is near poor—106 million people live below twice the poverty line, one lay-off or crisis away from poverty
Notice of Extension of MTW Public Comment Period
Philadelphia, PA - August 29, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) hereby extends the public review and comment period by an...
Over 34,000 homeless in Pennsylvania’s emergency housing system
WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 19, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congress is deliberating on key issues that affect Pennsylvanians who experience homelessness and is seeking to identify how local communities succeed at ending homelessness. The McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Program, the Low Income Housing Tax Credit and other key parts of the federal budget have a profound influence on how local communities successfully manage strategies to end homelessness. What is not well known by national decision makers is the actual scale of homelessness within their constituencies. This policy brief provides data that national decision makers can use when deliberating on critical issues
PHA Launches Improved Pre-Apprenticeship Program for Residents
Philadelphia, PA - August 13, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) has launched a revamped Pre-Apprenticeship Program for its residents. This comprehensive job training course teaches participants skills in maintenance and repairs. Upon completion of the program, graduates will become full-time PHA employees.
McKeesport Housing Authority allocated $1 million
WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has allocated more than $1 million to the McKeesport Housing Authority for large-scale improvements to its public housing units
Governor Corbett: Keystone Communities Grant to Provide Housing Modifications for Individuals with Disabilities
Harrisburg - August 8, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Corbett administration today awarded a $250,000 Keystone Communities Accessible Housing grant that will help Allegheny County residents living with permanent physical disabilities to make modifications to their homes
Keystone HELP Partners Win Energy Financing Award
Harrisburg - July 18, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Pennsylvania Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) has figured prominently in another national energy award, as the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) today named Bostonia Partners as the winner of the 2013 CDFA Excellence in Energy Finance Award.