HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency is accepting applications for more than $95 million in affordable housing funding through Nov. 19, opening the latest round of a state program that directs money to locally developed housing initiatives across all 67 counties.
The funding is available through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund, or PHARE. Applications are due by 2 p.m. Nov. 19.
PHARE draws funding from the impact fee imposed on natural gas drilling companies and a portion of Pennsylvania’s Realty Transfer Tax. PHFA administers the program and distributes money for affordable housing and related initiatives throughout the state.
The program has distributed more than $450 million to nearly 2,300 housing initiatives since its inception, according to PHFA. The agency said $532.9 million in PHARE grant awards has leveraged more than $3.5 billion from other funding sources, representing nearly $6 in total funding for every $1 awarded through the program.
The latest funding round follows a multiyear increase in the amount of money available through PHARE. Pennsylvania increased the Realty Transfer Tax allocation to the program to $90 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year, with the amount scheduled to reach $100 million beginning in 2027-28.
PHFA awarded $93.4 million through PHARE in June to 432 housing and community development initiatives across Pennsylvania. At least $74.6 million of that funding was directed to projects benefiting households earning less than 50% of their area median income.
“I believe every Pennsylvanian deserves the dignity and security that comes with a safe, affordable place to call home, but housing prices and rent are still too high,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said. He said the expanded PHARE funding gives communities additional resources to preserve existing housing and develop more affordable homes.
PHFA Executive Director and CEO Robin Wiessmann said the program is designed to support locally developed proposals responding to housing needs across the state.
“Each year, we receive an overwhelming pool of applications that are ambitious, creative, and responsive that result in increased access to affordable housing,” Wiessmann said.
PHFA’s program schedule calls for awards from the current application round to be announced in June or July 2027.
The PHARE request for proposals is available at www.phfa.org/legislation/act105.aspx, and applications can be submitted at phare.phfa.org.
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