Pennsylvania Power & Light Co.'s support of a program to promote home ownership in the city of Allentown was honored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at an award presentation Saturday (3/30) in Allentown.

A HUD official commended PP&L for a $200,000 grant the company made last October to the Allentown Redevelopment Authority.

The funds, from PP&L's Community Partnership Program, help pay home-sale closing costs for first-time home buyers who meet income guidelines set by the redevelopment authority.

"PP&L strongly supports the redevelopment authority's efforts to encourage home ownership," said William F. Hecht PP&L's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "People who own homes have a greater stake in the community. Home ownership is a good measure of civic health."

Hecht accepted a plaque honoring PP&L from Karen A. Miller, the representative of HUD Secretary Henry G. Cisneros for the six-state, Mid-Atlantic region.

PP&L established its Community Partnership Program to revitalize urban areas, support economic development, promote energy efficiency and improve the quality of life in its service area. PP&L provides electric service to 1.2 million homes and businesses in 29 counties of eastern and central Pennsylvania.

In 1995, the first year of the program, PP&L funded 39 community development projects with grants totaling $2.4 million. Funding for the program does not come from PP&L's ratepayers.

PP&L has committed to continuing the program in 1996 and 1997. Community groups and agencies will be invited to apply for 1996 grants in May. The grants will be awarded this summer.

"PP&L has a long-standing commitment to help the communities it serves," Hecht said. "We believe that an investment in the community is an investment in the long-term corporate health of PP&L."