HARRISBURG, PA – A package of legislation aimed at expanding access to attainable housing while preserving neighborhood control and neighborhood character passed the Pennsylvania Senate today, marking a significant step forward in addressing the Commonwealth’s growing housing shortage.
“Pennsylvania’s housing shortage is no longer a distant concern – it’s a present and growing challenge,” said Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Chair Senator Joe Picozzi (R-5). “If we want to expand access to housing, we need to build more homes, but we need to do it the right way. That means respecting neighborhoods and ensuring growth benefits the people who live there”.
The package advances a series of reforms designed to increase housing supply, reduce unnecessary barriers to development, and support smart, sustainable growth across Pennsylvania while ensuring communities maintain a voice in how they grow.
This includes Senate Bill 1279 sponsored by Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-28), creating a Housing Development Regulatory Compliance Officer to improve coordination and efficiency in the permitting process.
“Regulatory and bureaucratic delays in constructing a new home ultimately led to higher costs and greater frustration for future homeowners”, said Senator Phillips-Hill. “Everyone wants Pennsylvanians to live out the American dream, and that starts with homeownership. We should be doing everything in our power to cut down on needless delays and excessive costs to address our housing shortage, and this legislation does just that”.
Senate Bill 1236, sponsored by Senator Dawn Keefer (R-31), reduces regulatory burdens on small-scale home construction projects by reforming the stormwater permitting process.
Senate Bill 1281, sponsored by Senator Greg Rothman (R-34), streamlines approval processes through the use of uniform housing plans. “Pennsylvania’s housing shortage is driving up costs for both renters and homebuyers, making the goal of homeownership unaffordable for many,” Rothman said. “Our legislation ensures local control and decision-making are maintained while giving municipalities tools they can use to reduce delays and costs.”
Together, these reforms address several of the barriers contributing to Pennsylvania’s housing shortage, helping create more opportunities for homeownership while giving communities the flexibility to guide growth in a way that reflects local needs and priorities.
The bills are now moving to the House of Representatives for consideration.
CONTACTS:
Senator Picozzi: Danielle LaBrake