June 2024 | Message from Our Executive Director
| And just like that…our Rural PA Housing Summit is a wrap! Our 2nd Rural Housing Summit on June 5 was even better than our first. There was more of everything – more people, more ideas, more sessions, and more sponsors. 240 of you joined us in beautiful Seven Springs, an increase over last year of 25% (or 50 people.) A big shout out to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh who supported the event as our main sponsor and this year also helped plan the event by participating in the Host Committee and hosting a session. Also a big thank you to all of our sponsors who made the event possible, many of whom joined as exhibitors and / or speakers. We had a Host Committee this year that gave us ideas and suggestions and put together workshop sessions themselves. We are grateful for your assistance! You did a bit of work and it made the event better. I learned a lot about what we can do to address the challenges unique to rural Pennsylvania in addressing housing affordability. And out of one of the workshop sessions, we are writing a case study on how to address the persistent challenge of a shortage of available contractors for home repair and housing construction. It was a great time and thanks to so many for making it a great time.  Phyllis Chamberlain Executive Director PS: We also had a wonderful event the day prior. The PA Land Bank Summit brought together veterans in the land banking field along with those new to it to learn and connect on blight prevention and remediation progress. PPS: I would be remiss if I didn’t remind you about the PA state budget process. Check out the legislative update below and call your legislators to ensure that housing remains a priority in this year’s state budget. |