Signed by Governor Tom Wolf

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that appropriates block grant funding as relief for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Highlights:

• Defines "agency" as the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (Sec. 2).

• Defines “program” as the Rental and Utility Assistance Grant Program (Sec. 3).

• Specifies a grant awarded to an eligible applicant may not exceed $50,000 (Sec. 1-2.I).

• Establishes the following for all applicants (Sec. 1-5):

• By July 15, 2021, each CEDO shall approve or disapprove applications for grants under the program;

• Upon approving a grant, a CEDO shall contract with the eligible applicant through electronic means to award the grant;

• The contract will explain the terms and conditions of the grant, including each applicable law, statute and reporting requirement; and

• The contract must be electronically signed and returned to the CEDO that approved the application.

• Requires a county providing grants to compile a report, which includes the following (Sec. 1-11):

• A list of each grant awarded under the program;

• The name and address of each grant recipient;

• The amount of the grant and a description of the financial impact to the grantee for which the grant was awarded; and

• The name of the CEDO that processed the grant.

• Requires the agency develop an application for eligible lessees, mortgagors, landlords, or mortgagees to apply for assistance under this section within 30 days of the effective date of this section. The application will include an attestation by the landlord or mortgagee releasing the lessee or mortgagor of any remaining obligation for any past due or future rent or mortgage payment for which the agency pays the landlord or mortgagee (Sec. 2-3).

• Requires the agency make the following payments (Sec. 2-9):

• For rental assistance, an amount equal to 100% of the lessee's monthly rent, not to exceed $750 per month, for each month for which assistance is sought for a maximum of six months. payments shall be made no later than November 30, 2020; and 

• For mortgage assistance, an amount equal to 100% of the mortgagor's monthly mortgage, not to exceed $1,000 per month, for each month for which assistance is sought for a maximum of six months. payments shall be made no later than November 30, 2020.

• Appropriates $145,000,000 for the Department of Community and Economic Development for fiscal year 2020-2021 from the COVID-19 Response Restricted Account for the COVID relief - County Block Grant - Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (Sec. 6-1).

Full Bill Text