Philadelphia – April 20, 2018 — Senator Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) and fellow elected officials have announced an award of housing funds in Philadelphia County.
On 12 April, Governor Tom Wolf announced more funding for housing programs through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) fund, made possible by PA Housing Finance Agency (PHFA). An award of $400,000 was given to Rebuilding Together Philadelphia to stabilize middle income neighborhoods in the 4th district. A total of 52 counties and 137 housing development initiatives will thrive from this funding including the West Oak Lane neighborhood in Philadelphia County.
In addition, Senator Haywood announced a foreclosure prevention initiative for Philadelphia that is led by Regional Housing Legal Services. Foreclosure prevention measures further protect homeowners and the value of homes in middle neighborhoods. “I was a sponsor and advocate for the new housing program that allows PHFA to provide this money. In 2016, the PA legislature passed law that created the PA Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Fund. Changing laws in Harrisburg makes a difference.” Senator Haywood said.
Senator Haywood hosted a news conference and discussion of the new housing initiatives Friday, 20 April starting at 1:30 p.m. at the home of West Oak Lane resident Ms. Titania Boddie, 6732 N. Bouvier Street Philadelphia, PA 19126. Senator Haywood gave remarks as well as Congressman Dwight Evans, State Rep. Isabella Fitzgerald, PHFA Executive Director Brian Hudson, Regional Housing Legal Services Director of Community Redevelopment Initiatives Cindy Daley, Rebuilding Together Philadelphia Executive Director Stefanie Seldin, and homeowner and West Oak Lane resident Ms. Titania Boddie.
Congressman Evans said, “In the city of Philadelphia, more than 40 percent of the population live in Middle Neighborhoods. Our Middle Neighborhoods are truly caught between bust and boom—they are solid neighborhoods that are being squeezed because they aren’t poor enough or wealthy enough. This is where I come in as your voice in Congress. Throughout my career, I have been fighting to invest in our Middle Neighborhoods before it’s too late. Now on the national stage I am doing all I can to give our Middle Neighborhoods a clear lane in our federal policy.”
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