Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato today submitted legislation to County Council to renew the new home construction and home improvement property tax abatement programs to encourage job creation and spending in Allegheny County.

“These two incentive programs promote home building and improvement projects that translate into construction jobs and spending – all of which are good for our economy,” said Onorato. “We need to renew these programs to give our local real estate and construction markets a boost, while also easing the tax burden on new homeowners.”

The Act 202 new home construction abatement program waives the Allegheny County portion of the property tax for two years on new residential buildings. Under the Act 42 home improvement abatement program, homeowners do not pay County property tax for three years on up to
$36,009 of new improvements made to existing homes.

“Allegheny County’s ability to weather the housing market storm that has crippled many communities across the nation is largely attributable to the stabilization of our assessment system, holding the line on property taxes for eight years, and the continued renewal of new construction incentive programs like Act 42 and Act 202,” said County Council President Rich Fitzgerald. “The renewal of these programs shows our continued commitment to provide
property tax relief to the residents of our county.”

The abatement programs are set to expire on Dec. 31, 2009. Onorato’s legislation will renew the incentives for 2010 and 2011.

“At this time of shaky consumer confidence, we strongly support Allegheny County’s extension of its new residential construction tax abatement program,” said Jim Eichenlaub, executive director of the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh. “We thank Allegheny County Executive Onorato and the members of County Council for recognizing the importance of the program and the boost in consumer confidence that it will bring in letting buyers of new homes in Allegheny County know that the incentive and welcome mat to build and live in here will remain in the years ahead.”

Anyone currently building a new home in Allegheny County can learn more about the program and download an application at www.alleghenycounty.us/opa/act202.aspx. Those currently making improvements to an existing home in Allegheny County can learn more and download an application at www.alleghenycounty.us/opa/act42.aspx.

For questions regarding either program, call the Office of Property Assessments at 412-350-4600