District 21 News: State Rep. Innamorato

Hello Neighbors, My name is Sara Innamorato, and I am the State Representative for Pennsylvania’s 21st District. As I am working for you in Harrisburg this budget season, I want to take this opportunity to keep you up to date on the issues I plan to address and remind you of some of the ways my district office may be able to assist you.

Legislation to keep an eye on

Pennsylvania Housing and Rehabilitation Enhancement (“PHARE”)

More than $8.5 million in Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement funds were recently awarded to Allegheny County organizations geared towards helping citizens acquire housing. The TriBoro Ecodistrict received $160,000 of those dollars. City of Bridges Community Land Trust would convert one currently vacant home in the Millvale, Etna and Sharpsburg area to a long-term, affordable rental unit and renovate three currently vacant, blighted structures acquired from the TriCOG Land Bank into permanently affordable homeownership.

I’m also thrilled that my legislation, H.B. 1316, advanced out of the Housing & Community Development Committee and moves to the full House for consideration. This bill would increase the allotment to the total state PHARE fund.

Housing is a necessity everyone should be able to access fairly. These dollars are crucial to putting a safe and stable roof over the heads of neighbors and their families.

LOOP legislation

In June, my LOOP Legislation bill passed in the House and now moves to the Senate for consideration. Allowing Allegheny County to enact the LOOP program will protect long-term homeowners as property taxes increase due to development and gentrification. This legislation will create a property tax relief plan determined by years of homeownership for the people experiencing the detrimental effects of rising property taxes that would potentially displace them if not given this vital assistance.

Providing this safety net, we can create a program to protect people and families who have been there during the tough times while also welcoming new neighbors and new investments. It’s one small step toward achieving equity in our governmental systems.

Allegheny County’s Whole Home Repair Program

Allegheny County’s Whole Home Repair program officially launched this June, and I could not be more excited! Although applications closed June 30, there will be another chance to apply for this program in the fall of this year!

I am thrilled to see this program launch in Allegheny County and am proud to have been a part of making it happen for all Pennsylvanians. Please see the detailed information below, and call Action Housing, the organization running the program, with questions at (412) 248-0021 or my office at (412) 781-2750. For more information and to apply, please visit Action Housing’s website at actionhousing.org.

Funding is now available to fix severe issues like damage to your home’s roof, windows and foundation. You can also get money to make modifications so someone managing a disability can live in the house.

Who can apply?

To qualify, an applicant must:

• Own and live in a house needing repairs in Allegheny County.
• Be living in a home with significant habitability issues like roof damage, unsafe electric wiring, or accessibility concerns.
• Have a total income that doesn’t exceed 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Allegheny County.

How the application process works:

1.Apply online. 2. If you are eligible and selected for a home inspection, someone from the Whole-Home Repairs Program will contact you to schedule it.

3. A Whole-Home Repairs inspector will visit your home to determine if the repairs qualify for funding.

4. If the inspector approves the repairs, we’ll connect you with a contractor certified by the Whole-Home Repairs program to do the work.