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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	May 14, 2014 11:22 AM
From:	Senator Elder A. Vogel, Jr. and Sen. Shirley M. Kitchen
To:	All Senate members
Subject:	Housing Trust Fund

In the near future we will introduce legislation that would provide funding for the statewide Housing Trust Fund (HTF) - PA Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE). Currently, PHARE’s only revenue is from Act 13 Impact Fees and those monies may only be spent in Shale Counties. Revenues generated through impact fees provide resources for home repairs, new construction, rental assistance, home rehabilitation, and demolition. This legislation will expand this funding to all counties including those that receive monies from Act 13. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, there is a statewide shortage of 266,000 rental homes that are both affordable and available to households earning about $20,000 or less. The National Alliance to End Homelessness reports that 270,000 Pennsylvanians are homeless, including those living doubled up with friends or family. Across Pennsylvania, we see blighted and abandoned properties overwhelming the housing market. PHARE funds can be used to remediate blight as well as develop homes within reach of low wage workers and people on fixed income. Our bill will use revenue from the Realty Transfer Tax (RTT) to provide funding for the Housing Trust Fund. There will not be an increase in the RTT, nor will it pull revenue out of the General Fund. If the amount of RTT increases in the Fiscal Year 2014-15 over the amount budgeted, 50 percent will go the HTF and 50 % will go to the General Fund. The HTF will be capped at $25 million. This legislation will be a step in the right direction by providing many new resources needed by our local communities.

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