HOUSING
FINANCE AGENCY2004 Home Choice Programs and Mandatory Preapplication Seminars [34 Pa.B. 2649] The Housing Finance Agency (Agency) has set aside funds to continue the Home Choice Programs (HCP).
In 2004, the HCP will fund development of new single family homes, for purchase, in urban communities through HCP-HCI. In addition, the Agency is expanding the HCP to include a new Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (HCP-NRI) to provide funding for the substantial rehabilitation of vacant housing and construction of in-fill homes as a part of a municipality's comprehensive approach to increase the net investment in housing in urban areas while building mixed-income communities and encouraging diversity of homeownership (HCP-NRI). In addition, the Agency is announcing the continuation of the pilot effort started in 2003 to encourage mixed use facility financing in commercial corridors of this Commonwealth (HCP-MUFFI).
The HCP encourages market-sensitive and innovative land use planning concepts in urban areas and works in concert with commercial development and community and downtown revitalization efforts. The focus is on development of new homeownership opportunities and the transformation of disinvested urban neighborhoods into attractive places to live, thereby offering a viable alternative to suburbia and sprawl development. HCP proposals require partnerships among the municipality and for-profit and nonprofit builders/developers. HCP funding is just a part of the overall financing. To date, approved proposals have combined HCP funds with many various municipal, State and Federal program funding, as well as private moneys and commercial development activities.
This year, the Agency has two separate, but related, Requests for Proposals (RFP) inviting applications for the HCP. HCP proposals must be based upon the requirements set forth in the RFP for either HCP-HCI, HCP-NRI or HCP-MUFFI. Both RFPs, include specific instructions for applicants, outline the goals of the various initiatives and provide specific timelines for program submissions. The complete RFPs are available on the Agency's website: www.phfa.org.
At least one member of the principal sponsor of each HCP application must attend an informational seminar at the offices of the Agency at 211 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA. Pre-registration is required by June 1, 2004, by contacting Jennifer Kennedy, (717) 780-3910, jkennedy@ phfa.org. Proposed applications not represented at one of the preapplication seminars will be rejected. The seminars will be held on June 2, 2004, and June 8, 2004, as follows:
HCP-MUFFI--10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
HCP-HCI/HCP--NRI-1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
BRIAN A. HUDSON,
Executive Director[Pa.B. Doc. No. 04-865. Filed for public inspection May 14, 2004, 9:00 a.m.]
