Gov. Tom Corbett Thursday announced the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Authority approved $9.3 million for 45 housing programs and projects improve the availability and affordability of housing in 29 counties.

“By partnering with local groups, we are implementing local solutions to address housing challenges,” said Gov. Corbett. “This is part of a comprehensive approach critical to addressing local housing needs.”

These projects are supported by the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Fund, which is administered by the PFHA and funded by Act 13’s impact fee on natural gas producers. Award recipients were chosen at PHFA’s Board of Directors meeting earlier Thursday.

“We expect these projects to have a significant, positive impact helping counties address housing and community needs resulting from the development of gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale region,” said Brian A. Hudson Sr., PHFA executive director and CEO.

In 2012, Pennsylvania became the first state in the nation to impose an impact fee on natural gas producers when Gov. Corbett signed Act 13. To date the natural gas impact fee has generated over $630 million in new revenues.

A list of grants awarded is available online.

For more information, visit the PA Housing Finance Authority’s PHARE Fund webpage.

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10/13/2014