Funding priority will be given to proposals from third-class cities
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency today is issuing a Request for Proposals for the new construction, or rehabilitation, of mixed-use projects seeking financial support. Funding will be provided through the Community Revitalization Fund Program.
Mixed-use projects combine residential and retail/commercial space in the same building and often serve as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization. The deadline for proposal submission is 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct.31.
This funding program was created as part of the commonwealth’s fiscal year 2017/18 budget, and PHFA was designated by the General Assembly to administer it. This year, PHFA is authorized to sell $4.5 million of state tax credits and use the proceeds to make awards for the development of mixed-use properties in commercial/retail corridors in Pennsylvania that are undergoing revitalization.
Examples of projects eligible for funding include:
- The rehabilitation of older or under-utilized buildings for immediate re-use to support community development goals;
- Preparing commercial build-out and business lease space;
- The design of, and structural and legal conversion of, existing buildings; and
- The provision of additional units of housing by combining uses in a single, newly constructed or renovated building.
“Our goal with these investments is not only to provide critical funding but also to move forward the completion of a project, or projects, that can boost community development,” said PHFA Executive Director and CEO Robin Wiessmann. “In smaller communities, the construction of a pivotal project can provide an economic spark or help attract additional investments, and that is what we’d like to achieve with this funding.”
Eligible applicants for this funding include units of local government (counties, cities, boroughs, etc.); redevelopment authorities; for-profit firms; non-profit groups; and economic development organizations. Applications from third-class cities will be given higher priority in this year’s proposal evaluations.
CRFP applications will be completed and submitted entirely online, eliminating the need for paper submissions and simplifying the process for applicants.
The RFP is located on PHFA’s website at https://www.phfa.org/mhp/developers/loans.aspx. The online application is accessible on the CRFP website at https://crfp.phfa.org.
Questions may be directed to Shelby Rexrode at PHFA via email at srexrode@phfa.org.
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