Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency Unveils $95M RFP for Affordable Housing Initiatives
Event summary
- Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for $95M in PHARE funding to support local housing initiatives, with applications due by November 19, 2026.
- PHARE Fund, sourced from natural gas drilling impact fees and Realty Transfer Tax, has distributed over $450M to nearly 2,300 housing initiatives since 2012.
- Governor Josh Shapiro highlighted the near doubling of PHARE investment to address high housing prices and rent across Pennsylvania.
- PHFA will host a webinar on September 22, 2026, to guide organizations interested in applying for PHARE funds.
The big picture
The RFP reflects Pennsylvania's strategic focus on expanding affordable housing access through targeted public funding. With housing prices and rent remaining high, the increased PHARE investment aims to leverage local initiatives to tackle the housing crisis. The program's track record of leveraging additional funding sources highlights its effectiveness in driving economic development and community stability.
What we're watching
- Funding Allocation
- How the $95M in PHARE funding will be distributed across Pennsylvania's 67 counties and the impact on local housing markets.
- Leverage Ratio
- Whether the nearly six-to-one ratio of leveraged funding from other sources can be sustained with the increased PHARE investment.
- Application Success
- The pace at which ambitious and creative housing initiatives emerge from the application pool and their potential to address the housing crisis.
Related topics