Pennsylvania Synods Pass Resolutions at Assemblies
Four ELCA Synods in Pennsylvania voted to pass resolutions regarding social justice issues at their recent assembly gatherings. The Lower Susquehanna Synod, meeting at Messiah College, May 31 - June 1, 2018, adopted a resolution regarding homelessness. The Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod, meeting at Thiel College, June 15-16, 2018, adopted a
Moving on New Homelessness Report
LAMPa applauds the recommendations laid out in the new Joint State Government Commission study addressing homelessness in Pennsylvania, particularly the emphasis on homelessness prevention as well as early intervention to address long-term effects of homelessness on children and youth. In 2014, LAMPa advocates successfully pressed for the creation of the task force to undertake the
Gov. Wolf Signs Housing Trust Fund Expansion, Act 58
On November 4 Governor Tom Wolf yesterday signed into law an expansion of the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Act (PHARE), the State’s Housing Trust Fund. Act 58 of 2015 makes way for safe, affordable homes for Pennsylvanian in all 67 counties and creating economic opportunities in the process
Housing Trust Fund Passes House Unanimously!
On June 2, HB 792, the bill to expand the Housing Trust Fund, was passed out of the House unanimously, with a vote of 195 to 0. We are excited about the great momentum around this bill, and we are that much closer to having more resources for affordable housing throughout the
State Housing Trust Fund is On the Move!
The Housing Trust Fund bill, HB 792, is out of the starting gate, having had a unanimous vote by the House Urban Affairs Committee on April 13. Thank you to the LAMPa Advocates who contacted their legislators on that committee. The bill then had its first reading on the floor
Progress on Affordable Housing
We’re making progress toward ensuring that all counties benefit from the State Housing Trust Fund (PHARE). Thanks to your efforts, 22 state Senators and 24 Representatives are now cosponsors of the Housing Trust Fund bills, SB 1380 and HB 2434. SB 1380 was voted out of the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee, and HB
Two Steps Forward on Affordable Housing
Your advocacy is working and members of the General Assembly are catching on: Investing in the housing market is good for the Commonwealth. It creates jobs and encourages community revitalization and reinvestment, all while helping to end homelessness and expand the availability of homes within reach of low wage workers
State Housing Trust Fund is Working – Let’s Build on Success!
Nearly $8.5 million is going to put safe, affordable housing in reach of more Pennsylvanians in 22 counties, thanks to the PA Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Fund. The recently awarded funding comes from impact fees in the Marcellus Shale region and will be returned to projects in those
“Save our Homes!” – LAMPa’s work to restore the HEMAP program
Pennsylvania’s Homeowner’s Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) has been preventing foreclosures since 1983. Now, thanks to a funding cut of around 80% in the 2011-2012 state budget, HEMAP will essentially close down, having only enough money ($2 million) to fulfill current obligations. A quick lesson in how HEMAP works illustrates
