Lancaster receives $1.25M in PHARE grants

LANCASTER, June 9 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El announced today that $1,250,000 in PHARE grants has been awarded to eight Lancaster organizations that provide affordable housing and services to the unhoused.

“Housing is one of the most critical needs in our community – everyone deserves a safe, affordable home. These PHARE grants are going to help improve the lives of some of Lancaster’s most vulnerable residents,” Smith-Wade-El said. “As your state representative, I am proud of the deserving, hardworking people and organizations in the 49th District, and grateful for the support the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency provides. Our office works hard to bring state and federal funds back to the people of Lancaster City, Lancaster Township and Millersville, and we don’t intend to stop any time soon.”

The following organizations received grant money:

United Disabilities Services Foundation received $100,000 to renovate 33 units for low-income residents across six apartment buildings in Lancaster County prioritizing accessible features for independent living and safety.

The Lancaster City Housing Authority received $100,000 to support critical electrical and HVAC updates to their 169-unit building on Farnum Street.

BASE, Building and Supporting Entrepreneurship of Southeast Lancaster Inc., received $100,000 to support phase three of its Home Ownership Made Equal initiative.

Community Basics Inc. received $150,000 to develop six (furnished) single-room occupancy units with common living areas and three (furnished) one-bedroom apartments set aside for unhoused youth ages 18-26 and those who are aging out of foster care. CBI will partner with Valley Youth House who will provide 24-7 on-site supportive services to all residents with the goal of teaching life skills that will propel them towards independent living and financial stability.

Partners With Purpose: received $100,000 to provide vital rehabilitation activities to 10 affordable rental homes including, but not limited to: roof replacement, lead remediation, heating/cooling system improvements and weatherization.

Scattered Site Acquisition and Rehab for First Time Homebuyers received $250,000 to help acquire five vacant homes located in Lancaster City's southeast and southwest neighborhoods for the purpose of rehabilitation and resale to low-income first-time homebuyers.

Tenfold's Housing and Financial Stability Services - Building Capacity and Coalitions to Meet Community Need received $100,000 to help serve about 1,600 households, preventing eviction/displacement or mortgage default for 80% of its participants.

OZFund Inc., a community-focused Qualified Opportunity Fund, received $350,000 to rehabilitate a vacant and underutilized property at 800 S. Queen St. The property will be transformed into 52 rental apartments for working families and a combined convenience and grocery store.

PHARE was established by Act 105 of 2010 (the "PHARE Act") to provide the mechanism by which certain allocated state or federal funds, as well as funds from other outside sources, would be used to assist with the creation, rehabilitation and support of affordable housing throughout the Commonwealth.