March 2024 | Legislative Update
This month, we highlight two new developments
To see all the legislation that we are prioritizing and tracking, visit https://housingalliancepa.org/policy-agenda/
Homelessness Prevention Initiative
Homelessness and eviction prevention demand more attention from state lawmakers as rental rates continue to climb and more families experience housing instability in the absence of pandemic era assistance. According to the US Government Accountability Office, a $100 increase in median rent is associated with a 9% increase in the estimated homelessness rate.
The Housing Alliance has identified several homelessness prevention programs throughout the Commonwealth with outsized positive outcomes. HAP is seeking to demonstrate the effectiveness of these programs both in terms of stabilizing families and future, generational cost savings in terms of social services and education outcomes.
Specifically, our proposal will require each applicant to present a plan that includes landlord / tenant mediation, expanded legal representation, and / or direct assistance. Each program will make a report to the agency and collectively report to the General Assembly.
Zoning Reform Legislation Introduced
Additional legislation has been introduced in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to address the shortage of affordable housing through zoning reforms.
HB 2045: This legislation would revise the Municipalities Planning Code to require cities, boroughs, towns and townships with more than 5,000 in population to permit the use of duplex, triplex and fourplex housing in areas currently zoned for single-family residences only. This would increase the number of multi-family residential units available in Pennsylvania.
HB 1976: This legislation would revise zoning laws to allow multi-family housing and mixed-use development in urban areas zoned for office, retail and parking with existing water and sewer systems.
These bills have been referred to the House Local Government Committee.
State Senator John DiSanto is expected to soon introduce legislation to address zoning reforms. The proposal is expected to grant the automatic right to use manufactured housing and accessory dwelling units in single-family zoning districts. For municipalities with larger populations, medium-density housing will also be permitted by right. The legislation will also ensure onerous minimum lot sizes and parking space requirements don’t interfere with housing affordability.