Historic Budget Approval: Key Funding Increases for Wilkinsburg and Beyond
We are thrilled to share that Governor Shapiro has signed a $47.6 billion budget for the fiscal year 2024- 25. The spending plan includes a 6% increase in spending, with additional funding for public education, higher education, human services, and economic development, including expansion of the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP).
As part of a statewide coalition made up of community development corporations, neighborhood groups, non-profit organizations, and private partners, Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation (WCDC) was able to work with members of the legislature to expand the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP). The tax code included legislation by representative Aerion Abney (D-Allegheny County) and Senators Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) and Nick Miller (D-Lehigh) that expands the NAP from $36 Million to $72 Million and increases the corporation investment cap to $2.5 Million.
This is a significant win for non-profit organizations in distressed communities, which rely on NAP programs to fund critical neighborhood projects, increase capacity for community organizations, and combat food insecurity — all while increasing local tax revenues and creating jobs.
WCDC has received significant funding support through the PA Department of Community & Economic Development (PA DCED) Neighborhood Assistance Program thanks to our corporate sponsors, TriState Capital Bank, Highmark, and Dollar Bank, which has allowed us to promote Wilkinsburg’s small business community, strong neighborhood initiatives, and advocacy for investment and development.
This budget also includes an incremental increase of the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE) cap to $100 million over the next four years. PHARE is one of the most utilized affordable housing programs administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Financing Agency, expanding low-income housing and promoting homeownership.
Since 2020, the WCDC has received $750,000 in PHARE funding from the PA Housing Finance Agency to support the Wilkinsburg Strong Neighborhoods Initiative.
PHARE funding has provided Wilkinsburg residents with:
- Home repairs;
- Applications to acquire vacant properties;
- Free legal assistance related to wills and estate planning;
- Resident-driven neighborhood improvement plans; and
- Technical assistance related to vacant and blighted properties.
Thank you all to all the stakeholders who have long pushed for the PHARE increase, specifically Action-Housing and the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania.
This year’s budget also increases PA DCED’s Keystone Communities Main Street Matters program from $6.4 million to $20 million.
This boost will support Main Street and Elm Street Programs statewide, enhancing project funding for initiatives like façade improvements, planning grants, pre-construction grants, and incentives aimed at revitalizing older, underutilized buildings to ensure they meet current safety standards and accessibility requirements for all Pennsylvanians.
We are grateful to Representative Aerion Abney and Senators Gene Yaw and Nick Miller for their leadership on the NAP expansion, as well as Senator Jay Costa and Representative Abigail Salisbury for their support of these crucial programs.
Thank you to all who supported the Neighborhood Assistance Program Expansion by making phone calls and sending letters and emails. Your efforts made the difference in making this happen!