Wentling Announces $425,000 to Fund Mercer County Affordable Housing Initiatives

June 11, 2026

GREENVILLE – Funding totaling $425,000 for affordable housing initiatives in Mercer County has been approved, Rep. Parke Wentling (R-Mercer) announced Thursday.

The money will be distributed for four housing and community development initiatives by the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) fund as follows:

• City of Sharon New Construction for Affordable Homeownership - Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation - $200,000, which will be used to build four, high-quality family homes in a transitional neighborhood.

• Community Action Partnership of Mercer County Lots to Love - Community Action Partnership of Mercer County - $100,000, which will be used to address the blight that remains after a home is demolished.

• Community Action Partnership of Mercer County ASSETS Match Program - Community Action Partnership of Mercer County - $75,000, which will support the three-phase ASSETS Match program that provides housing counseling and an opportunity for homebuyers to have their savings for a home matched by the program, up to $5,000. 

• First Time Homebuyer Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program - Shenango Valley Urban League - $50,000, which will assist Mercer County residents with a grant of up to $5,000 for a home purchase upon their completion of the Urban League’s pre- and post-purchase homeownership counseling. 

“Good homes help build strong communities, and this funding can make a real difference for families here in Mercer County,” said Wentling. “Whether it’s helping someone buy their first home, cleaning up blight or putting new houses where they’re needed, this is money that will be put to good use close to home.” 
 
Funding for PHARE awards comes from two main sources. Since 2012, the program has received a portion of the impact fees collected from natural gas companies operating in the state. That is supplemented with funding provided by a portion of the state’s realty transfer tax.



Representative Parke Wentling 
7th Legislative District 
Pennsylvania House of Representatives 
Media Contact: Chris Comisac
717-772-9845
ccomisac@pahousegop.com