PA Budget Agreement Signed by Governor Corbett

The negotiated state budget agreement, House Bill 1485, passed the PA Senate on a party line vote Tuesday and passed the House Wednesday evening. The Governor signed the agreement Thursday, June 30th.

The budget, which totals $27.15 billion in spending, cuts almost 4% from the total spending of last year. However, many human services and housing programs face much steeper cuts.

An initial look at housing programs, compared to 2010-2011 levels, is below:

• Human Services Development Fund (HSDF): $14.956 million ($23.5 million in FY 2010)


• Homeless Assistance: $20.551 million ($23 million in FY 2010)


• Legal Services: $2.735 million ($3 million in FY 2010)


• Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP): $2 million ($11 million in FY 2010)


• Housing and Redevelopment Assistance (HRA): $0 ($17.5 million in FY 2010)


• Keystone Communities: $12 million (combination of Accessible Housing and New Communities)