More than a dozen affordable housing projects in Allegheny County are set to receive more than $24 million from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.

The agency last week announced a total of $98 million in grants that will assist 66 housing projects across Pennsylvania.

The Housing Options Grant Program was funded with American Rescue Plan Act money that must be spent by the end of 2024. The grant money will go toward projects to fix up existing affordable housing or build new housing for renters, according to PHFA.

State Sen. Wayne Fontana, D-Brookline, touted the money as “a substantial investment into affordable housing resources.”

In Wilkinsburg, Wood Towers is set to receive a $5 million grant for renovations. The 97-unit apartment building — which serves the elderly and people with disabilities — is getting grant money to replace the roof and HVAC, improve security and install a new elevator system and new hot water heaters.

The Hazelwood Affordable Rental Preservation Program will get more than $1.8 million to improve 61 housing units at scattered locations in the Pittsburgh area. Improvements will include structural repairs, roof replacements, appliances, energy efficiency upgrades and facade improvements.

More than $1 million is earmarked for rehabilitating 17 affordable housing units in Pittsburgh’s Homewood, including four two-bedroom units for families making no more than 30% of the area median income and 13 units for families making no more than 60% of the area median income. Renovations will include new roofs, porches and masonry repairs.

According to Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority, the area median income ranges from $70,300 for an individual to $132,600 for a family of eight.

An additional $1.5 million will help Homewood Redevelopment LLC acquire and rehabilitate blighted properties in Homewood neighborhood to create a total of 37 affordable housing units on Brushton Avenue, Hamilton Avenue and Tiago Street.

In Pittsburgh’s Hill District, the African Queens Apartments project, owned by local nonprofit Amani Christian Community Development Corporation, is set to receive $900,000. The development will be an 18,000-square-foot, mixed-use development with 12 affordable apartments and ground-floor commercial space. Nine of the apartments in the complex will be designated for households making no more than 60% of the area median income, with the remaining three earmarked for people making no more than 80% of the area median income. Six of the apartments will be reserved for applicants who have special needs or are homeless.

Allegheny YMCA in Pittsburgh’s North Side is getting $2.2 million for renovations in common areas, the kitchen and 88 single-room occupancy units. The money also will fund the installation of a sprinkler system, air conditioning, an elevator and other improvements.

Light of Life Sister’s Recovery House will receive $660,000 to renovate a North Side apartment building that has 11 apartments for homeless single women, while The Widows’ Home, also in the North Side, will receive $825,000 for renovations at the 24-unit housing site.

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