What is a Private Activity Bond?
Private Activity Bonds (PABs) are a financing mechanism used to attract private investment for projects that have some public benefit, such as affordable rental housing and economic development activities. The main advantage of financing projects with PABs is the lower interest cost generally realized as compared to that obtainable through private commercial financing. This is a result of the tax-exempt status of certain PABs. Interest paid to bond purchasers is not subject to federal income taxes. Since bond purchasers receive tax-free interest income, they can accept a lower interest rate from the applicant when lending their capital. The Redevelopment Authority , as a public authority, is authorized to issue PABs. The Authority will assure that proper standards are met to maintain the tax exempt status of the bonds.
Multi-family Bonds
PABs can be used to finance qualified residential rental facilities that are subject to the limitations imposed through the statewide unified private activity bond cap (Volume Cap). The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) provides for the allocation of Volume Cap to issue PABs among the various qualified issuers in Pennsylvania. Each year, DCED provides an allocation of Volume Cap to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) for the issuance of PABs for certain types of housing activities. RACL can issue bonds using Volume Cap allocated by PHFA.
PABs can be used to finance the construction of new affordable rental housing units or preservation and rehabilitation of existing affordable rental housing units.
PABs may also be used to finance mixed income rental housing projects subject to certain restrictions.
Developments financed through the issuance of tax-exempt bonds are eligible for 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits.
501(c)(3) Bonds
PABs can be used to finance the acquisition, construction, installation, improvement, expansion or rehabilitation of real and/or personal property owned or to be owned by a nonprofit organization which has been granted an exemption from paying federal income tax by the Internal Revenue Service because of the organization’s purposes or activities.
Bonds for Economic Development
This category represents bonds for which a state or local government allows a private entity to benefit from the government’s status as a tax-exempt entity and its ability to issue debt obligations at tax-exempt rates to support economic development. As the ultimate recipient of the proceeds of the bonds, the private user benefits because the interest on the obligations is tax-exempt and therefore bears a lower interest rate than comparable taxable financing.
PABs can be issued for commercial or industrial projects including: manufacturing, processing, production, assembly, warehousing, recreation, office, research and development, and energy. The economic development bonds will be used for costs for buildings, land, equipment, furnishings, and costs of operation; as well as architectural, engineering and other professional costs.
Industrial Development Bonds (IDBs) can be issued through the RACL’s Private Activity Bond Program (PAB). For these types of bonds, the RACL works closely with the Economic Development Company of Lancaster County (EDC). Businesses interested in this financing should start their inquiry by contacting Leigh Bardell, Project Manager for EDC, at lbardell@edcfinancecorp.com. EDC will review the project and its financing needs and will help bundle IDBs with other public and private funding sources to create the financing structure best suited to the client’s needs. If bond financing is indicated, the RACL will act as the conduit issuer.
Other Types of PABs
The Redevelopment Authority may issue any other type of PAB available now or created in the future to the extent authorized under the Authority’s charter.
The Redevelopment Authority can also be the conduit issuer for taxable bonds used in conjunction with tax-exempt bonds.
Past Project(s)
On January 31, 2012, the Redevelopment Authority closed the largest single affordable housing transaction in the organization’s history. On that day the Authority issued an $18.9 million tax-exempt multifamily housing bond for the benefit of Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to finance the renovation of 376 units of affordable housing in seven developments spread across three counties. By using the multifamily bond vehicle, HDC qualified for an allocation of 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits, thus bringing much needed equity to the project. The properties involved include:
| Fiscal Year | Municipality and Project Name | Grant Amount Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | YWCA: Facility Waterproofing | $200,000 |
| 2019 | Sadsbury Township: Brick Mill Road Culvert | $200,000 |
| 2019 | Emerald Foundation: Facility Improvements Phase II | $200,000 |
| 2019 | Millersville Borough: West Frederick and South Duke Street Improvements | $200,000 |
| 2019 | Manheim Borough: Pedestrian Improvement Project | $200,000 |
| 2019 | Columbia Borough: Historic Market House Restoration | $200,000 |
| 2019 | Columbia Borough: South Second Street Improvements | $125,000 |
| 2018 | Columbia Borough; South Eighth Street Improvements | $200,000 |
| 2018 | Marietta Borough; Sewer Improvements, Basin F | $200,000 |
| 2018 | Emerald Foundation; Community Campus Improvements | $200,000 |
| 2017 | Columbia Borough; South Eighth Street Improvements | $200,000 |
| 2017 | Manheim Borough; Main Street Improvements | $200,000 |
| 2016 | Eden Township; Furnace Road Reconstruction | $150,000 |
| 2016 | Columbia Borough; Poplar Street Improvements Project | $200,000 |
| 2016 | YWCA of Lancaster; Energy Savings and Pool Infill Project | $196,440 |
| 2016 | Marietta Borough; Basin "D" Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation | 200,000 |
| 2016 | Millersville Borough; West Frederick Street Infrastructure Improvements Project | $153,560 |
| 2015 | Columbia Borough - South Eighth St. | $250,000 |
| 2015 | Manheim Borough - E Adele Ave Storm Water | $243,824 |
| 2015 | West Earl Township | $231,176 |
| 2014 | Millersville Borough - West Frederick Street Neighborhood Improvement Project Phase 3 | $97,018 |
| 2014 | West Earl Township - East Main Street Storm Water Improvement Phase 2 | $220,000 |
| 2014 | Manheim Brough - W. Stiegel St./S. Penn St. Improvement Project Phase 1 | $175,000 |
| 2014 | Mt. Hope Nazarene Retirement Community - Sewer Project | $250,000 |
| 2013 | Lititz Borough - Forney Drive/Plum Street Neighborhood Improvement Project Phase 2 | $70,000 |
| 2013 | Millersville Borough - West Frederick Street Neighborhood Improvement Project Phase 2 | $250,000 |
| 2013 | Columbia Borough - Plane Street Neighborhood Improvement Project Phase 2 | $250,000 |
| 2013 | Manheim Borough - Fulton/West End Neighborhood Improvement Project Phase 2 | $129,000 |
| 2012 | West Earl Township - East Main Street Storm Sewer Project Phase 1 | $100,000 |
| 2012 | Columbia Borough - Walnut Street Neighborhood Improvement Project | $150,000 |
| 2012 | Marietta Borough - Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation, Basins B&C Project | $200,000 |
| 2012 | Manheim Borough - Fulton/West End Neighborhood Improvement Project Phase 1 | $125,000 |
| 2012 | Leacock Township - Lincoln Highway Area Sewer Extension Project | $175,000 |
| 2011 | Marietta Borough - Basin A Sanitary Sewer | $180,000 |
| 2011 | Millersville Borough - West Frederick St Phase I | $160,529 |
| 2011 | Manheim Borough - East Gramby Street | $87,991 |
| 2011 | Mt. Joy Borough - Manheim St. Water & Sewer | $202,500 |
| 2011 | Columbia Borough - Plane St. Phase I | $180,000 |
| 2010 | Columbia Borough - N. Second St. Project | $200,000 |
| 2010 | Paradise Township - Kinzer's Sanitary Sewer Extension | $121,000 |
| 2010 | Quarryville Borough - North Church St. Well Improvement Project | $70,000 |
| 2010 | Rapho Township - Water System Improvement Project | $188,948 |
| 2010 | Welsh Mountain Dental Expansion - Sewer Project | $250,000 |
| 2010 | YWCA of Lancaster - Storm Pipe Replacement | $70,052 |
Bloomfield Apartments
Franklin Street Apartments
Highspire School Apartments