PHFA issues RFP for use of Marcellus Shale/PHARE funding to improve housing

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 13, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency today is issuing 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 Marcellus Shale impact fees. Those fees are directed to, and administered from, the Pennsylvania 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."

Today's 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. Also, 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.

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 will be posted on the PHFA website. Interested parties may also contact Clay Lambert at (717) 780-1855.

The PHARE RFP is available on the PHFA website. To view the RFP and information about the informational webinars, scroll down to the footer on the PHFA homepage at PHFA.org and click on "PHARE".  Local leaders seeking to apply for funding are advised to check the attachment with the RFP to view the list of eligible counties.

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 more than $12.5 billion of funding for more than 163,000 single-family home mortgage loans, helped fund the construction of 127,447 rental units, and saved the homes of nearly 48,600 families from foreclosure. PHFA programs and operations are funded primarily by the sale of securities and from fees paid by program users, not by public tax dollars. The agency is governed by a 14-member board.

Contact:   
Scott Elliott
717-649-6522 (cell)
[email protected]

SOURCE Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

Related Links

http://www.PHFA.org