The Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, a nonprofit advocate for affordable, safe housing for lower income families, has come out in opposition to plans for funding mass transit through an increase in the real estate transfer tax. A portion of their letter to legislators follows:

“First, any increase in the real estate transfer tax, if it were ever enacted, should be dedicated to making homes more affordable for working Pennsylvanians, such as through rental development and assistance, home repair and protection from mortgage foreclosure and predatory lending.

“Second, funding for transit should come from a more logical, related source.

“Third, we are concerned that any funding for transit systems without strings attached to manage them more efficiently, modernize them and make them better economic development resources for rural as well as urban communities, is cause for concern. We hope that the General Assembly will include accountability.

“Transit is of great concern to our members. We fully support efforts to address the long term funding needs. Indeed, transit is a housing issue. It is the only access to jobs and, services that many people have. It is a lifeline. But it should be funded through a more rational source.

“The Housing Alliance was founded in 1985 to work for homes within reach for all Pennsylvanians. We have 450 organizational and individual members representing the needs and interests of rural, urban and suburban communities throughout the state.”

2/4/2005