Advocacy for Supportive LIHTC Units Continues to Benefit Most Vulnerable

This week, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) announced which affordable housing developments would receive Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) awards for the coming year.

RHLS is thrilled to report that 333 of the 1,814 units funded will include supportive housing.

Supportive services can include case management; vocational or educational assistance; financial counseling; behavioral health services; programs for residents with specific needs such as physical health issues, substance use issues, or mental health issues; and other services. They are especially beneficial to those who have experienced chronic homelessness, youth aging out of foster care, senior citizens, survivors of domestic violence, and individuals with very low incomes.

In 2012, Regional Housing Legal Services spearheaded an effort to change PHFA’s Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP). The QAP sets the guidelines for LIHTC applications. Since RHLS recommended changes to the QAP, PHFA has drastically increased the number of awards for housing with a supportive component. The units funded this year represent a sustained increase from 2012, when only 129 units were designated as supportive.

The projects funded this year that will provide supportive services to Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable represent a continued administrative advocacy victory for RHLS, as well as for many of our clients and partners.

Read more about the efforts of RHLS to change the QAP.

Read more about the work of RHLS to serve Vulnerable Pennsylvanians.

Developing affordable housing in Pennsylvania? Click here to request the services of RHLS.