What is Employer Assisted Housing (EAH)?

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency is pleased to offer an Employer Assisted Housing (EAH) Initiative to help address the issues regarding the lack of affordable housing for low- to moderate-income workers. Throughout the country and certainly throughout Pennsylvania, homeownership is beyond the reach of core community employees, medical personnel, school employees, police and fire personnel, county workers, laborers, service industry staff, etc.

Participating Employers who offer a monetary home purchase benefit partner with PHFA to stretch their employee's home buying dollars even further. Although the employers' benefits do not have to be contingent on a PHFA mortgage, if the employee is approved for a PHFA mortgage, through a participating lender, the borrower will receive substantial financial advantages at no cost to the employer! An Employer Assisted Housing program benefits everyone; the employee, the employer, and the local communities.

Benefits to the Employee:

  • The lowest Keystone Home Loan PLUS Program rate to any employee who meets the requirements of the Keystone Home Loan Program.
  • All EAH applicants may apply for up to $2,000 for closing costs and/or downpayment assistance through our Keystone PLUS Assistance Loan, K-PAL. This program is traditionally reserved for only PLUS applicants.

Benefits to the Employer:

  • Reduced turnover costs
  • Greater retention
  • Attractive recruiting feature
  • Controlled expense-set budget amount
  • Community revitalization
  • Eases tardiness and sick leave use
  • Strengthens loyalty and morals

Combining the Employers benefit with a PHFA mortgage will save the employee thousands of dollars over the life of the mortgage loan. All PHFA loans offer the following advantages to eligible borrowers:

  • Lower than market rates and fees
  • Free homebuyer counseling
  • Downpayment and closing cost assistance
  • 30 year, fixed-rate terms
  • Mortgages for new or existing homes
  • Conventional, FHA, VA, and RHS loans
  • Funds are available year round
  • 25 percent discount on Title Policy available
  • Assumable to qualified borrowers
  • Eight month lock on new construction loan