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York County commits $100,000 from inheritance fund to boost rural workforce housing application
Summary
The York County Board of Commissioners voted Oct. 31 to commit $100,000 from the county inheritance fund as a local match for a state rural workforce housing grant application. YCDC told the board the match would leverage larger state funds and expand a revolving loan pool to support new housing across the county.
The York County Board of Commissioners voted on Oct. 31 to commit $100,000 from the county inheritance fund as a local match for a Department of Economic Development rural workforce housing application due Dec. 7.
Lisa, a representative of the York County Development Corporation (YCDC), told commissioners the county needs about 542 new housing units by 2030 and that the YCDC has secured prior grants and assembled revolving-loan funds to support new subdivisions and rehab projects. "We recently received back in May a rural workforce housing grant for 1,000,000 dollars," Lisa said, and the organization has been matching and revolving funds to support construction and rehabilitation.
The state’s current program guidance caps owner-occupied units at $325,000 and rental units at $250,000 per door, Lisa said; the current DED application reduced the required local match to 25% from a previous 50% requirement. Lisa told the board that if the county contributed $56,740 (a figure she mentioned as an example) it would help reach a local pool that could prompt a $400,000 state award in addition to YCDC’s dollars. Her presentation also stressed that the program’s funds revolve and that recipients must be reported to the state for five years.
Chair (speaker 1) moved the county contribute $100,000 from the inheritance fund to meet the local match requirement; the motion was seconded and carried by roll call. Commissioners discussed options for the local match source and noted prior precedent for using the inheritance fund for housing-related programs. Lisa said YCDC would prepare the necessary documentation and, if the grant is awarded, YCDC would execute the program and the county would issue the check.
Supporters framed the contribution as seed money to attract larger state funds and to create housing options across York County’s smaller communities, not only in the city of York. Commissioners asked about oversight and whether state rules allow the county to reclaim funds; Lisa said the state monitors projects for five years and that YCDC must follow state statutes and guidelines in awarding and reporting funds.
The board approved the motion by roll call (affirmative responses recorded). The board instructed staff and YCDC to complete the application and required documentation before the Dec. 7 deadline.
The resolution approving the contribution directs county staff to provide any required signatory documents and to coordinate with YCDC to ensure county funds are held and used according to state rules. The board also discussed continued outreach to smaller towns to encourage applications and participation in any funded projects.
If the DED awards funds and YCDC proceeds, the county’s contribution will be combined with other local and private match to support construction of new homes, major renovations and other priority projects identified by YCDC.
