A bipartisan bill sponsored by State Representative Tina Davis has passed the Pennsylvania House, aiming to combat property blight and boost community revitalization across the state. The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration.

House Bill 1574 would establish the Redevelopment Authority Startup Loan Program, creating a revolving loan fund through the Department of Community and Economic Development.

The program would provide long-term, low-interest loans of up to $500,000 to county redevelopment authorities for acquiring and rehabilitating blighted residential or commercial properties.

Modeled after a successful initiative in Bristol Township, the program seeks to scale that local success statewide without requiring ongoing government funding.

Since its 2016 launch, the Bristol program has helped rehabilitate 35 homes and sparked more than 100 private redevelopment projects.

Rep. Davis, a Democrat from Bucks County, called the bill a smart investment in Pennsylvania’s future. Republican co-sponsor Rep. Joe Hogan noted that the initiative not only cleans up neighborhoods but also eases the tax burden and improves housing stock.

Key features of the bill include loan terms up to 10 years, interest rates capped at 2 percent, and eligibility for county redevelopment authorities or qualified land banks.

The pilot phase of the program will run until January 1, 2028, or until full use of funds.