Brewster Announces $1.6 Million in Housing Funds

Brewster Announces $1.6 Million in Housing Funds

June 14, 2022

HARRISBURG, June 14, 2022 – Projects in the 45th Senate District aimed at expanding housing and preventing homelessness will get a $1.6 million boost from the state, Sen. Jim Brewster announced today.

“Safe and sufficient housing is becoming out of reach for too many in our region,” Brewster said. “These grants will help increase the stock of available and affordable living space for struggling families. I’m proud to work with so many good organizations dedicated to addressing this crisis.”

The funding comes through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) fund. Gov. Tom Wolf named 245 housing and community development initiatives in 67 counties that will share a portion of a total $48.4 million in PHARE funding for fiscal year 2021-22. The PHARE fund is managed by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.

“Too many seniors and young families are being priced out of the market,” Brewster said. “With this program, the money goes where it is needed most and helps our neighbors remain our neighbors.”
A list of the proposals receiving PHARE funding is available at www.phfa.org/legislation/act105.aspx

Funding for 45th district projects was awarded to:

712 Hawkins Avenue, Za’kiyah House Housing Inc

$300,000 to create three affordable housing units in a historic church which will additionally be the future site of programs and services to address homelessness and promote healthy lifestyles. The apartments will be priority housing for individuals facing housing discrimination because of their criminal record or substance use disorder.

Allegheny County Accessibility Program, Allegheny County Economic Development

$200,000 to provide accessible modifications to households in Allegheny County, excluding the City of Pittsburgh, for individuals with low to moderate incomes and at least one permanent physical disability. Allegheny County will provide $100,000 from its Allegheny Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) as 50% matching funds (generated by the Act 137 enabling legislation).

North Hills Affordable Housing, Inc: A Home For Every Family

$200,000 to maintain safe, decent, and affordable housing and resources to vulnerable populations, including transitional and affordable housing. Funds will be used primarily for individuals with children who are working towards economic mobility after surviving domestic violence or other trauma within HEARTHs transitional housing program. The focus of the funding priority is homelessness prevention to assist households below fifty percent (50%) of the median area income.

Housing Connector, The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania

$200,000 to support the salary of a Housing Connector, who assists people with disabilities to locate and obtain housing that is affordable and accessible. Additionally, two expert housing navigators will offer one-on-one assistance using a custom database created in collaboration with community resources, providing tangible support to make a move possible and help people maintain stable housing.

Homeless Prevention Assistance Program, Westmoreland Human Opportunities, Inc.

$100,000 to provide necessary supports to Westmoreland County residents to prevent homelessness. These supports are accompanied by case management to ensure the assistance will make a lasting impact on the individual or family and provide the tools necessary to help the individual or family reach self-sufficiency.

Morning Sun Senior Lofts, The Westmoreland County Land Bank

$500,000 for adaptive reuse purposes of the former East Vandergrift school building. Work to include interior selective demolition, roof replacement, limited façade restoration, and closure to points of entrance for weather elements.

The SMART Housing Program, Westmoreland Human Opportunities, Inc.

$100,000 to prevent homelessness and provide rapid-rehousing and rental assistance to nine transition-age youth (ages 18-24) who are homeless or at-risk for homelessness. All enrolled youth will receive supportive services from a Peer Support Specialist and Case Manager including assessing educational needs, job skills, financial stability, and transportation needs.

Brewster: Housing Project Funding and Credits Approved for New Kensington

Brewster: Housing Project Funding and Credits Approved for New Kensington

April 12, 2018

Harrisburg, April 12, 2018 – Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said that a local housing project has received tax credits and conditional funding through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) fund.

“With the support of PHARE, Pioneer Apartments will be able to begin construction in New Kensington,” Brewster said. “Funding for housing improvements is essential to growing and bettering our communities.”

Brewster said he was pleased that the housing project involves new construction of a multi-unit facility. Pioneer Apartments will be constructed at 4th Avenue, Cherry Alley, and 10th Street in New Kensington. Once completed, the four-story building will consist of 36 units.

“Increasing housing opportunities is the right thing to do for our communities and I am grateful to see a project in New Kensington working to provide access to quality housing.” Brewster said.

The Pioneer Apartment project was approved for conditional reservation tax credits up to $1,014,283. $500,000 of conditional funding was also awarded to the project.

Monies provided through PHARE are used to address significant and persistent housing needs in communities. The PHARE fund is managed by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Authority (PHFA).

Since its creation in 1972, the PHFA has worked to provide affordable rental housing options and homeownership for older adults, low- and moderate-income families, and people with special housing needs.

PHFA has generated more than $13 billion in funding to assist with single-family home mortgage loans, to help fund the construction of rental units, and to save homes from foreclosure.

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Brewster: New Public Housing Sites Approved in Allegheny County

July 16, 2013

Harrisburg, July 16, 2013 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) announced the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s (PHFA) approval of two new affordable housing project sites in Allegheny County.

“Access to affordable, safe housing is essential to the success of a community,” Brewster said. “I’m pleased that families in McKeesport and Duquesne will have more housing options and a chance for a better quality of life.”

The Yester Square development is located on 5.5 acres in McKeesport, and it is the first phase of the McKeesport Housing Authority’s plan to revitalize the Crawford public housing site, an area with poor conditions and an uncomfortable high unit density. Yester Square will include 10 two-story buildings containing 58 housing units. Developers requested $1.2 million in tax credits from the PHFA to build the low-income housing.

In Duquesne, the Orchard Park development is located on the 5.1 acre site of the former Burns Heights public housing, which was demolished in 2009. The new site will include 44 units in 22 buildings. The development will meet Energy Star requirements, which will decrease utility rates for residents. Developers requested $1.5 million in tax credits from the PHFA to construct Orchard Park.

“There is an immense need to revitalize the outdated and densely developed public housing in certain areas of the county,” Brewster said. “These projects are a step in the right direction.”

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