53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 60

in effect

53 Pa.C.S. § 6001 Scope of chapter.

This chapter deals with optional affordable housing funding.

53 Pa.C.S. § 6002 Legislative purpose.

The General Assembly intends to provide a method for counties and cities of the first class to raise revenues at the local level to enable residents to purchase, rent or maintain quality residential housing.

53 Pa.C.S. § 6003 Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "County." A county of the second, second A, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth class. The term does not include any county of the first class. "National Affordable Housing Act of 1990." The Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (Public Law 101-625, 42 U.S.C. § 12701 et seq.), as amended.

53 Pa.C.S. § 6011 Affordable housing programs fee in counties.

(a) General rule.--The governing body of each county may, by ordinance, increase the fees charged by the recorder of deeds for recording deeds and mortgages under the act of June 12, 1919 (P.L.476, No.240), referred to as the Second Class County Recorder of Deeds Fee Law, or the act of April 8, 1982 (P.L.310, No.87), referred to as the Recorder of Deeds Fee Law. (b) Limitation.--The additional fees levied by a governing body of a county under subsection (a) shall not exceed 100% of the amounts charged on February 12, 1993. Cross References. Section 6011 is referred to in section 6012 of this title.

53 Pa.C.S. § 6012 Disposition of proceeds in counties.

(a) Deposit.--Money collected as a result of the fee imposed under section 6011(a) (relating to affordable housing programs fee in counties) shall be deposited in the general fund of the county. (b) Allocation.--Money collected as a result of the fee imposed under section 6011(a) shall be allocated as follows: (1) At least 85% of the money collected shall be set aside in a separate account to be used to fund affordable housing efforts in the county. (2) Not more than 15% of the money collected may be used by the county for the administrative costs associated with the affordable housing efforts.

53 Pa.C.S. § 6013 Affordable housing efforts in counties.

"Affordable housing effort" as used in this subchapter is any program or project approved by the governing body of the county which increases the availability of quality housing, either sales or rental, to any county resident whose annual income is less than the median income of the county and includes: (1) Providing local matching funds to secure National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 HOME funds. (2) Assisting or supporting housing efforts by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and by commercial banks and thrift institutions. (3) Supporting soft second mortgage programs.

53 Pa.C.S. § 6021 Affordable housing programs fee in cities of first class.

(a) General rule.--The governing body of a city of the first class may, by ordinance, charge an affordable housing program fee for recording deeds and mortgages and other related mortgage documents. (b) Limitation.--The fee levied by a governing body of a city of the first class under subsection (a) shall not exceed 100% of the amounts charged by a city of the first class for recording deeds and mortgages and other related documents. (c) Construction.--Subsection (a) shall not limit or otherwise impact the authority of a city of the first class to alter the fees charged by a city of the first class as of the effective date of this chapter for recording deeds and mortgages and other related mortgage documents. (Dec. 22, 2011, P.L.549, No.114, eff. 60 days) 2011 Amendment. Act 114 amended subsec. (b). Special Provisions in Appendix. See section 4 of Act 49 of 2005 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to fees in first class cities. Cross References. Section 6021 is referred to in section 6022 of this title.

53 Pa.C.S. § 6022 Disposition of proceeds in cities of first class.

(a) Deposit.--Money collected as a result of the fee imposed under section 6021(a) (relating to affordable housing programs fee in cities of the first class) shall be deposited in a special fund established by a city of the first class. (b) Allocation.--Money collected as a result of the fee imposed under section 6021(a) shall be allocated as follows: (1) At least 85% of the money collected shall be used to fund affordable housing efforts in a city of the first class. The following apply: (i) A city of the first class may by ordinance dedicate a portion of the funds allocated under this subsection to benefit households whose annual income adjusted for household size is equal to or less than 30% of the median income of the metropolitan statistical area including that city of the first class. (ii) A city of the first class may by ordinance dedicate a portion of the funds allocated under this subsection to programs described in section 6023(1) (relating to affordable housing efforts in cities of first class). (iii) A city of the first class may by ordinance define criteria for accessibility of new and existing housing for visitors or occupants who are physically disabled and establish the percentage of new construction units produced as a result of the affordable housing efforts of the city funded under this subsection that must meet the criteria. (iv) A city of the first class may by ordinance restrict expenditure of money raised under this subchapter to those programs and projects described in section 6023. (v) A city of the first class may by ordinance require that housing produced or rehabilitated through affordable housing efforts be priced or rented at an amount such that the purchase or rental will require the expenditure of no more than a certain maximum percentage of the gross income of the household of the purchaser or renter. (2) Not more than 15% of the money collected may be used for the administrative costs of a city of the first class associated with the affordable housing efforts.

53 Pa.C.S. § 6023 Affordable housing efforts in cities of first class.

"Affordable housing effort" as used in this subchapter is a program or project which increases the availability of quality housing, either sales or rental, to any resident of a city of the first class whose annual income adjusted for household size is less than 115% of the median income of the metropolitan statistical area including that city of the first class and includes: (1) A program or project which increases the production of housing for sale or rent. (2) A program or project which increases the accessibility of new and existing housing to visitors or occupants who are physically disabled. (3) A program or project which provides grants for repair of basic systems or improvement of owner-occupied housing. (4) A program or project which provides for the improvement of facades for owner-occupied housing. (5) A program or project which prevents or reduces homelessness. Cross References. Section 6023 is referred to in section 6022 of this title.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=53Fetched: 10/16/2026