ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The first deed-transfer tax increase in decades could help the city turn the corner on an ever-present housing crisis.
Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a measure to raise that rate from 2% to 2.5%, with all additional proceeds earmarked to support a housing fund that’s set to be established.
That could arm Allentown officials with millions each year to “level the playing field for our residents,” who often lose out on opportunities at homeownership to investors and corporations, according to Councilman Santo Napoli, who has championed the measure for more than a year…