LANCASTER, PA — Pennsylvania approved $71.6 million in tax-credit-supported investments for 443 community development projects on Monday, October 19, expanding incentives for businesses to finance affordable housing, workforce training, food assistance, and other services in economically distressed communities.
Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger detailed the awards during a visit to Lancaster Hub, a nonprofit organization receiving $31,050 in support to expand services for people experiencing homelessness.
The funding comes through the state’s Neighborhood Assistance Program, which offers businesses tax credits of up to 95% of qualifying contributions to nonprofit community improvement projects.
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration secured $72 million for the program in Pennsylvania’s 2026-27 budget. Since Shapiro took office, the state has awarded more than $250 million in Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits supporting approximately 1,500 projects.
The latest round includes 93 community investments in southeastern Pennsylvania, covering initiatives involving housing repairs, education, social services, and neighborhood improvements.
Among the regional recipients, Rebuilding Together Philadelphia will use program-supported donations to make critical home repairs for 15 low-income homeowners in Northwest Philadelphia who are older than 62 or living with disabilities.
The organization provides repairs intended to address housing safety and accessibility for residents who may otherwise struggle to maintain their homes.
Other awards will support workforce development, homelessness services, childcare expansion, and transportation for older adults.
In Lancaster, the $31,050 investment will help Lancaster Hub expand its homeless outreach center, connecting residents with housing, employment, healthcare and basic necessities.
“This investment will help strengthen our homeless outreach center and expand access to essential services for vulnerable Neighbors in our community,” said Paige McFarling, executive director of Lancaster Hub.
The Lehigh Valley received 48 community investments, including support for Lackawanna College’s Bethlehem Center. The center plans to expand technical training facilities to serve more than 250 students pursuing careers in skilled trades and technology.
In northeastern Pennsylvania, 69 investments include support for Green Trees Learning Center, which plans to establish a new location in Milford Borough. The expansion is expected to accommodate 24 additional children and reduce its waiting list by 25%.
Northwestern Pennsylvania received 54 investments, including funding to renovate the Erie Cancer Wellness Center, which provides nonmedical support services to patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Southwestern Pennsylvania received 98 investments. Presbyterian SeniorCare Network plans to purchase an accessible vehicle to provide transportation for more than 500 low-income seniors and adults with disabilities at its Washington campus.
Central Pennsylvania received 81 community investments, including the Lancaster Hub project.
The Neighborhood Assistance Program is structured to encourage private-sector contributions to qualifying projects rather than directly financing all activities through conventional state grants.
Eligible initiatives include affordable housing, community services, crime prevention, education, job training and neighborhood assistance.
“Strong communities unlock jobs, support families, and enrich the lives of Pennsylvanians,” Siger said, emphasizing the administration’s use of business tax incentives to support nonprofit organizations.
The program operates through five components: the Neighborhood Assistance Program, Special Program Priorities, Neighborhood Partnership Program, Charitable Food Program, and Enterprise Zone Program.
The latest awards extend the state’s use of tax credits to attract private contributions toward community development and assistance programs across all six Pennsylvania regions.
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.