How Pennsylvania’s New Whole Home Repair Program Can Help You

America’s deindustralization as seen in Braddock, PA

BRADDOCK, PA - OCTOBER 13: Street scenes from the historical steel mill town of Braddock, Pennsylvania on October 13, 2016. Braddock was once a thriving center of America's steel industry but once the mills closed, it suffered severe economic decline and depopulation. Efforts are being made to repurpose many of the abandoned buildings for art projects and community development, and U.S. Steel's Edgar Thomson mill is still operational. (Photo by Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images)

By Ashley Adams

August 11, 2022

The Whole Home Repair Program is funded through the state budget and offers grants and loans to homeowners and landlords who struggle to pay for necessary home repairs.

Pennsylvanians can soon access state assistance to pay for needed home repairs thanks to a new program.

Included in the state’s 2022-23 budget is $125 million for the Whole Home Repair Program, which is geared toward helping lower to middle-income residents who might struggle to pay for necessary repairs, and could be forced from their homes as a result.

The state estimates that 280,000 occupied housing units are in need of repair. Deferred maintenance issues such as leaky windows, blown fuses, or dangerous exposed wiring can have far-reaching social ramifications. Making home repairs can reduce crime, maintain neighborhood affordability, and preserve housing.

Introduced by Sen. Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia), the Whole Home Repair Program would award funds to government and nonprofit entities to distribute to qualifying homeowners and landlords.

Funds must be used for:

Habitability concerns (leaking roof, bad plumbing, etc.)
Energy or water efficiency improvements
Accessibility for persons with disabilities

Who’s Eligible?

Homeowners earning up to 80% of the median income in their area are eligible for grants of up to $50,000.

Landlords who own five properties or less are eligible for a loan of up to $50,000 with restrictions on how much they can charge for rent.

The Department of Community and Economic Development will oversee the program. No date has been given for when counties and other groups can start applying for funding.

“Pennsylvania has some of the oldest housing stock in the nation, and Pennsylvanians in every county are living in aging, unsafe homes because they can’t afford critical repairs,” Saval said. “When a person is given what they need to stay safe and healthy in their home, that’s an immediate and permanent benefit. Their families are protected from health hazards. Their utility bills go down for good. Their communities are stabilized.”

Author

Ashley Adams

In her 16 years in the communications industry, Ashley Adams has worn many hats, including news reporter, public relations writer, marketing specialist, copy editor and technical writer. Ashley grew up in Berks County and has since returned to her roots to raise her three children.

View all posts

CATEGORIES: Uncategorized

Support Our Cause

Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Pennsylvanians and our future.

Since day one, our goal here at The Keystone has always been to empower people across the commonwealth with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Pennsylvania families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.