May 7, 2015
Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks) and members of the Senate Majority Policy Committee learned more about potential solutions to help the state comply with federal run-off pollution mandates during a public hearing on Wednesday. [Read More]
May 4, 2015
HARRISBURG – The Senate Majority Policy Committee will study potential avenues to comply with federal run-off pollution reduction mandates during a public hearing in Harrisburg on Wednesday. [Read More]
December 29, 2014
Senate Urban Affairs & Housing Committee - 2013-14 Legislative Session - Final Report [Read More]
October 15, 2014
HARRISBURG -- The Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee examined some of the challenges facing Pennsylvania cities of all sizes during a public hearing on Tuesday, according to Committee Chairman David G. Argall (R-29). [Read More]
October 10, 2014
HARRISBURG – The Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee will examine the ongoing issues facing communities with population and homeownership decline, according to Chairman David G. Argall (R-29). [Read More]
October 7, 2014
The Senate took a step to provide residents of homeowner’s associations (HOAs) with new ways to participate in meetings that establish rules and fees, according to Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee Chairman David G. Argall (R-29). [Read More]
June 27, 2014
Following passage of several anti-blight bills last week, the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee approved additional measures today that would offer resources to rehabilitate structures that have fallen into a dangerous state of disrepair. [Read More]
June 18, 2014
HARRISBURG – The Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee today voted on several proposals aimed at curbing blight, according to Committee Chairman Senator David G. Argall (R-29). [Read More]
media_file=
HARRISBURG – State and local housing officials highlighted the positive impact of the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) program during a public hearing of the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee Wednesday morning.
“Communities both large and small in the Shale region have benefited from PHARE over the past two years, and the program shows the potential to be a key piece of our overall efforts to revitalize our communities and grow local economies all across the state,” said Committee Chairman Senator David G. Argall (R-29).
The program was created in 2010 to coordinate funding for rehabilitation and project planning to provide opportunities for economic development for businesses and affordable housing for families. Funding was provided for the program in 2012 through Marcellus Shale impact fees. To date, the program has received $16.7 million from the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission. This funding has helped address housing needs in 36 counties that host drilling operations.
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency Executive Director Brian Hudson reported that the program has helped more than 1,700 families statewide since 2012. Nearly 40 percent of PHARE funds have benefitted families earning less than half of the area median income. Hudson urged counties to explore options for public-private partnerships to maximize resources available to help match families to affordable housing options with the help of the private sector.
The committee also heard testimony from several county housing officials detailing the positive effect that PHARE funding has had in Pennsylvania communities, including home rehabilitation projects for seniors and disabled individuals, planning projects to expand housing options and rental assistance programs for low-income families. Testimony was provided by Greene County Commissioner Charles Morris; Sullivan County Housing Authority Executive Director Mark Roinick; Westmoreland County Department of Planning and Development Director Jason Rigone; and Lycoming County Planning Commission Lead Planner Kim Wheeler.
Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania Executive Director Elizabeth Hersh praised the overall economic impact of the program, which has leveraged more than $10 in local, state, federal and private dollars for every dollar invested.&title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&speed=0&badge=0&autopause=0&player_id=0&app_id=58479&buttons.like=0&" width="100%" frameborder="0" allow="fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;">
June 12, 2014
HARRISBURG – State and local housing officials highlighted the positive impact of the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) program during a public hearing of the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee Wednesday morning.
[Read More]
June 10, 2014
HARRISBURG – The Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee will hold a hearing June 11 to take a closer look at state efforts to promote affordable housing, according to Committee Chairman Senator David G. Argall (R-29). [Read More]