Lehigh Valley's DSA Opposes Tax Break For Luxury Apartments

Lehigh Valley's Democratic Socialists of America oppose this handout because they think they can squeeze more money out of an unproven and nonlocal developer. I oppose it under any circumstances. A real estate tax benefit totaling about $26 million (not just $20 million) is in addition to other tax breaks.

Skyline has already been awarded $1,000,000 from an RACP application in 2024 and this year. It has received $163,257 from a DCED Multimodal Transportation Funding Grant and a $175,000 Greenways, Trails and Recreational Program grant. It is seeking even more grant money from PennDOT, DCED Mixed Use Housing Development, another DCED Greenways grant, another DCED multimodal transportation grant, and Pa Historic tax credits. 

It also wants $28.5 million in federal tax equity credits.

Moreover, this will actually make it more difficult to find affordable housing, especially when other landlords start increasing their rents. 

At a time when it's all but certain that a tax hike is looming, this handout sends the wrong message.