PHILADELPHIA, September 12, 2024 – Senate Democrats today praised Gov. Josh Shapiro’s “bold and broad” actions to address Pennsylvania’s growing housing crisis.
At a Philadelphia senior housing development that was built with public funding, Shapiro signed an executive order directing agencies he had access to to conduct an annual assessment of housing adequacy in the state and issue a “Housing Action Plan” to be implemented by the General Assembly.
Sen. Vincent Hughes, the Democratic chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, praised the governor for his “willingness to act.”
“The need to build more, preserve more, and have more is common across the commonwealth,” he said. “In some neighborhoods, adequate housing is a challenge. In others, it’s a crisis.” I applaud the governor for taking such broad and bold action. I look forward to working with him to ensure we leverage good data and find fresh resources to address this critical issue.”
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa said housing instability is not only unfair, but unhealthy for Pennsylvania residents and the economy.
“I am deeply grateful to Governor Shapiro for his leadership in making safe, affordable housing for every Pennsylvanian a top priority. We know that countless families struggle to keep up with housing costs, leading to disruptions in education, poorer health outcomes, and job instability,” he said. “I look forward to working closely with the Shapiro Administration and my colleagues in the House and Senate as we embark on a revolutionary endeavor to create a plan that meets the scale, scope, and urgency of the housing challenge facing our commonwealth.”
Senator Nikil Saval, whose groundbreaking Whole Home Repairs initiative captured the attention of housing advocates across the country last year, said the Housing Action Plan puts Pennsylvania back in a leadership role.
“This action could not be more timely. As the housing crisis reaches new heights, we hear about states and local governments struggling to figure out what to do and failing the people who depend on them. Not here,” he said. “This executive order demonstrates the commitment of our governor and our government to meeting the real needs of our neighbors across Pennsylvania. Once again, our commonwealth is showing itself as a model for our nation.”
The Executive Order signed today directs the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to prepare and submit to the Governor a Housing Action Plan within one year. Based on and informed by the economic development strategy published by DCED in February, it will include specific goals, recommendations, and initiatives for the next five years to improve housing outcomes throughout the commonwealth. DCED will work with other community agencies, external stakeholders in the public and private sectors, and the General Assembly to formulate recommendations. The Department of Health and Human Services will also work with stakeholders to recommend policies and practices to address homelessness in the commonwealth.
