Harrisburg – July 14, 2016 – Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) and Pittsburgh Councilman Corey O’Conner today thanked the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, (PHFA), and ACTION-Housing for their efforts in helping develop new affordable housing options in Squirrel Hill.

At their monthly meeting in Harrisburg today, PHFA approved more than $40 million in tax credits and nearly $6 million in PennHOMES funding for multifamily housing developments across Pennsylvania.  ACTION-Housing will utilize $1.1 million in credits to develop the new Squirrel Hill Gateway Lofts project in Squirrel Hill.

“ACTION-Housing is a leader in providing affordable, accessible housing for families,” Costa said.  “Time and again they’ve reached into communities across Allegheny County and partnered with developers and community groups to make a difference.”

“We’re fortunate to have them repurposing property in Squirrel Hill and providing new options for local families to call home.”

According to ACTION-Housing, the new, seven-story development, known as the Squirrel Hill Gateway Lofts will include 33 residential units in addition to renovated space for Jewish Residential Services to operate an expanded Howard Levin Club House and administrative offices.

“It was such good news to hear that ACTION-Housing received a highly competitive tax credit to build mixed income lofts on the old Poli’s restaurant site,” said O’Connor said. “With Jewish Residential Services’ Howard Levin Club House on the first floor and housing on the second, there will finally be an attractive new building sitting right at the gateway to the Squirrel Hill business district.”

“I join Senator Costa and Councilman O’Connor in congratulating Jewish Residential Services and Action Housing on their collaborative approach to providing housing to the disabled and those with limited incomes,” Frankel said.  “This money will provide much-needed housing relief in the area and reaffirms our commitment to ensuring available, affordable housing throughout the City of Pittsburgh.

“While Pittsburgh has enjoyed unprecedented growth in the last decade, not all of our neighbors have been able to enjoy the prosperity of this growth. With this development, low income or disabled neighbors have another option that allows them to stay and work in their community.”

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