Gov. Wolf Signs 2 Bills Aimed To Spur Redevelopment Across PA

Two laws aimed at eradicating blight and encouraging redevelopment were signed into law Tuesday in Pennsylvania. Governor Tom Wolf signed House Bill 653 and Senate Bill 667.

The measures provide municipalities with additional tools and resources to combat blight, which is not only an eyesore but is also blamed for bringing down property values.

According to information from the governor's office, House Bill 653 provides for an accelerated foreclosure process for vacant and abandoned properties. The bill is the culmination of four years of work by the bipartisan Blight Task Force.

"Blighted properties continue to be a major problem for our boroughs, townships and cities. Local officials say that many properties in foreclosure are abandoned. These properties often become dangerous eyesores that reduce the property values of taxpaying homeowners in the neighborhood," Wolf's office said in a statement.

Since the foreclosures in Pennsylvania can last up to 540 days, the bill is aimed to reduce the timeframe for that process on abandoned and vacant properties by 240 days.

The other bill signed Tuesday is Senate Bill 667. That law grants redevelopment authorities the same powers currently allotted to land banks to increase opportunities to combat neighborhood blight.

The legislation is said to allow established redevelopment authorities to "get into the fight against blight."

"Granting Redevelopment Authorities the same powers allotted to land banks through the Pennsylvania Land Bank Act will allow them to acquire tax delinquent properties at a judicial sale through a more streamlined process. It will also eliminate the need to form an entirely new entity in these municipalities, which can be redundant and divert resources which could be dedicated to eradicating blight and promoting redevelopment," information from the governor's office said.

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