Governor Tom Wolf offered up the state’s latest incentives to improve the availability of affordable housing. These include $41.6 million in low-income housing tax credits and $7.7 million in PennHOMES funding for the construction of 39 affordable multifamily housing developments.
The tax credits will be administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PFHA) and were approved by its board.
“Tax credits are the best tool we have for funding the construction of affordable rental housing,” said Wolf.
“Tax credits provide the incentive for investment, which in turn funds the construction. The end result is more affordable housing options for Pennsylvanians.”
When completed, the developments receiving funding will preserve and create an additional 1,708 rental housing units for Pennsylvania residents.
“The strong demand for tax credits demonstrates just how well they work for funding the construction of affordable rental units,” said PHFA executive director and CEO Brian A. Hudson Sr.
“Without tax credits, many of these developments would not happen. Tax credits are an affordable housing tool that truly works.”
North Negley Apartments in Pittsburgh, which will receive the tax credits, was selected by a jury of affordable housing professionals for recognition in an “Innovation in Design” category. Its tax credit proposal envisions the adaptive reuse of a historic building transformed into 45 mixed-income units. Those rental units will incorporate significant energy efficiency and sustainable features, as well as community amenities.
