Posted: | September 20, 2023 01:05 PM |
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From: | Senator Nick Miller |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Municipal Property Maintenance Code Assistance Fund |
I plan to introduce a bill providing for the establishment of a municipal codes enforcement grant program, and I invite you to join me as a co-sponsor of this important legislation. The codes enforcement grant program would be administered through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) aimed for municipalities that have no current mechanism for enforcement. The program will focus on upgrading or removing blighted, abandoned, or structurally unsafe dwellings and structures. A municipality obtaining a grant may hire and train critical code enforcement personnel. Matching funds equal to the amount of the state grant will be required; in addition, a municipality can only receive this grant for three consecutive years. Under the bill, the Department shall establish guidelines to determine eligibility for grants. My legislation also allows municipalities with an established code enforcement program to enact an ordinance to create a municipal neighborhood mitigation fund for uses including demolition, cleanup, and repair of blighted property. The proposal would reduce blight-related problems within our neighborhoods and communities. This legislation is a companion to House Bill 255 of the 2023-24 session. It is my hope you will consider becoming a co-sponsor. |
Introduced as SB966