Pennsylvania Awarded $5.7 Million for Rental Assistance to Help Low-Income People with Disabilities
Harrisburg – March 11, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The Department of Public Welfare and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency will use $5.7 million in federal rental assistance to make some accessible housing more affordable for 200 low-income individuals with disabilities.
“Pennsylvania was one of 13 states selected to receive this rental assistance money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, reflecting the state’s proven history to help people with disabilities live independent lives,” Acting Secretary Beverly Mackereth said. “This effort will improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and reduce health care costs by giving the individuals the option of living in their own community instead of living in a long-term care facility.”
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and the welfare department will create the new housing opportunities by using the same successful methods developed through PHFA’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program and other affordable housing projects administered by both agencies.
The accessible, affordable housing will support three groups of individuals under the age of 62: persons with disabilities who are institutionalized; those at risk of institutionalization, and those currently living in a congregate setting who desire to move into the community.
“Part of the reason that Pennsylvania was awarded this funding was due to our history of productive collaboration between our two agencies benefiting the state’s residents,” PHFA Executive Director and CEO Brian A. Hudson Sr. said. “Working together, we can use this assistance from HUD to make a powerful, positive difference in the lives of Pennsylvanians with disabilities who want to live independently.”
The $5.7 million for rental assistance is part of the HUD’s first-ever selection of Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Project Rental Assistance Demonstration.
For more information, visit the Department of Public Welfare at www.dpw.state.pa.us or call 1-800-692-7462. To contact the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, visit www.PHFA.org or call Holly Glauser at 717-780-3876.
About PHFA
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency works to provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for older adults, low- and moderate-income families, and people with special housing needs. Through its carefully managed mortgage programs and investments in multifamily housing developments, PHFA also promotes economic development across the state. Since its creation by the legislature in 1972, it has generated $10.8 billion of funding for more than 150,200 single-family home mortgage loans, helped fund the construction of 127,374 rental units, and saved the homes of more than 45,900 families from foreclosure. PHFA programs and operations are funded primarily by the sale of securities, not by public tax dollars. PHFA is governed by a 14-member board.
Media contacts:
Donna Kirker Morgan, DPW, 717-425-7606
Scott Elliott, PHFA, 717-780-3916
Contact:
Scott Elliott
March 6, 2013 717-780-3916 (office)
717-649-6522 (cell)
