The City of Reading has extended the application deadline for its Downtown Housing Development Grant Program, giving eligible property owners an additional month to apply for funding aimed at creating new residential housing in the city’s downtown.
Applications for the City of Reading Downtown Housing Development Grant Program (COR-DHD) are now due by Friday, Aug. 7, 2026.
The pilot program is designed to support workforce housing by helping property owners convert or rehabilitate underutilized upper-floor spaces into residential units in downtown Reading.
Eligible properties must front the 200 through 500 blocks of Penn Street. Funding is available to for-profit businesses, nonprofit organizations, and private individuals, provided they own the property for which assistance is being requested.
Grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 are available for projects involving significant non-cosmetic improvements. Eligible work includes structural stabilization, upgrades to major building systems, correction of life-safety hazards and code deficiencies, roofing and drainage improvements, heating and cooling infrastructure, and fire protection systems.
“Our downtown has tremendous potential, and we want to make sure property owners have every opportunity to take advantage of this program,” Mayor Eddie Morán said. “By extending the application deadline, we’re giving more applicants the time they need to put together strong proposals that will help create new housing opportunities and continue the revitalization of Penn Street.”
Property owners interested in applying can access the application through the city’s downtown housing grant program webpage. Additional information is available by emailing DowntownHousingProgram@ReadingPA.gov or by calling 610-655-6253.
