Application deadline is Nov. 19

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency today announced the availability of funding through a Request for Proposals aimed to expand access to affordable housing and support housing-related initiatives in communities across the commonwealth. The deadline to submit applications is 2 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026.

The total PHARE funding available this year exceeds $95 million.

Funding for this RFP is being provided through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Fund. PHARE receives its funding from the impact fee levied on natural gas drilling companies and a portion of the Realty Transfer Tax. PHFA administers the program, directing PHARE resources to housing initiatives in all 67 Pennsylvania counties.

"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 – and too many of our neighbors are being left behind," said Governor Josh Shapiro. "That's why, working with PHFA, my Administration has nearly doubled our investment in PHARE – one of the most effective tools we have to expand access to safe, affordable housing in every corner of the Commonwealth. This initiative gives local communities more resources to tackle the housing crisis by helping more Pennsylvanians stay in their homes and building more affordable housing."

Since its inception in 2012, $532.9 million in PHARE grant awards has leveraged more than $3.5 billion from other funding sources – delivering a nearly six-to-one ratio in total funding for housing initiatives. To date, PHARE has distributed more than $450 million to nearly 2,300 housing initiatives.

"This critical funding provides organizations an opportunity to submit significant and locally driven housing and community applications," said PHFA Executive Director and CEO Robin Wiessmann. "Each year, we receive an overwhelming pool of applications that are ambitious, creative and responsive that result in increased access to affordable housing. We again look forward to seeing how these funds will directly help Pennsylvanians."

View the RFP at https://www.phfa.org/legislation/act105.aspx; the application can be found at https://phare.phfa.org/.

PHFA is hosting a 90-minute webinar, which will be recorded and made available online, at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 22, for organizations interested in applying for PHARE funds. Registration is available at https://www.phfa.org/legislation/act105.aspx.

Questions about PHARE and webinar registration may be directed to Clay Lambert at PHFA via email at clambert@phfa.org.

About PHFA
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency works to provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for older adults, low- and moderate-income families, and people with special housing needs. Through its carefully managed mortgage programs and investments in multifamily housing developments, PHFA also promotes economic development across the state. Since its creation by the legislature in 1972, it has generated more than $21.6 billion of funding for more than 213,110 single-family home mortgage loans, helped fund the construction of more than 113,200 rental units, distributed approximately $453 million to support local housing initiatives, and saved the homes of more than 51,000 families from foreclosure. PHFA programs and operations are funded primarily by the sale of securities and from fees paid by program users, not by public tax dollars. The agency is governed by a 14-member board.

Media Contact: Chris Anderson
canderson@phfa.org
717-780-3915

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SOURCE Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency