Clearfield County to advertise ordinance creating demolition and rehabilitation fund under Act 48 of 2024

The Clearfield County Commissioners voted to advertise Ordinance 2025-1, a local implementing measure for Act 48 of 2024 that would establish a demolition and rehabilitation fund financed by a fee charged on certain properties sold through tax sale or mortgage foreclosure.

County staff said the fund would place a modest fee — typically up to $250, as described by redevelopment authority staff — on qualifying tax‑sale and foreclosure transactions. Proceeds would be deposited into a specialized fund and made available on a competitive basis to municipalities, school districts, redevelopment authorities and nonprofit or private developers to support demolition or rehabilitation of blighted properties.

Lisa Kovalica of the county’s redevelopment authority explained the two‑part purpose of the program: demolition funds to remove unsafe structures and an affordable housing trust component to support rehabilitation. "Typically, the fee is up to $250," Kovalica said, noting that current private tax sales often bring bids in the range of $600 and that the fee is intended to be an incremental charge to generate a dedicated revenue stream for blight remediation.

A nonprofit representative speaking on behalf of Habitat for Humanity said the authority’s work and a stable funding source for rehab projects would help local efforts to preserve housing stock. Commissioners approved advertising the ordinance; the measure will be brought back for formal consideration at the Oct. 14 meeting.

The advertisement step does not adopt the ordinance; it begins the public notice and review period required before final action.