Housing

signed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 20, 2026

HB 2559: An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Student Lodging, Inc., a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation, certain land situate in Millersville Borough, Lancaster County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to the Philadelphia Housing Authority certain lands situate in the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Corrections and the Governor, to grant and convey to Ferris Land Development, LP, a Pennsylvania limited partnership, certain lands situate in Benner Township, Centre County; authorizing the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Friends of Peace Church, a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation, certain lands and improvements known as Peace Church situate in Hampden Township, Cumberland County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to the Borough of Danville certain lands situate in Danville Borough, Montour County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Gaudenzia Foundation, Inc., certain lands situate in the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to the City of Hermitage, certain lands situate in the City of Hermitage, formerly known as Hickory Township, Mercer County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey certain lands situate in the City of Nanticoke, Luzerne County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the consent and approval of the Governor, to grant and convey certain lands situate in the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County; authorizing the release of Project 70 restrictions on certain lands owned by the Pennsylvania Game Commission in exchange for the imposition of Project 70 restrictions on other land in Sandy Creek Township, Mercer County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Penn Township Municipal Authority certain lands situate in Penn Township, Snyder County; and authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to release a use restriction and reversionary interest affecting certain real property located on the following campuses of The Pennsylvania State University: Dubois Campus, located in Dubois, Clearfield County; Fayette Campus, located in Lemont Furnace, Fayette County; Mont Alto Campus, located in Mont Alto, Franklin County; New Kensington Campus, located in New Kensington, Westmoreland County; Shenango Campus, located in Sharon, Mercer County; Wilkes-Barre Campus, located in West Pittston, Luzerne County; and York Campus, located in York, York County.

This bill authorizes the Pennsylvania Department of General Services to transfer a specific parcel of land and buildings in Millersville to Student Lodging, Inc., a nonprofit organization, for a nominal fee of $1. The property, formerly known as the Witmer Infirmary, includes approximately 0.31 acres with existing structures, and the transfer requires approval from the Governor. The legislation includes conditions that prohibit the use of the land for licensed facilities and allows the state to retain certain easements or add restrictions as it sees fit. If the sale is not completed within 24 months, the property may instead be sold through a competitive bidding process, with any proceeds going to the state's General Fund.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill transfers land to a nonprofit for student lodging, expanding affordable housing options for students.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 15, 2026

HB 2391: An Act amending the act of January 30, 1974 (P.L.13, No.6), referred to as the Loan Interest and Protection Law, in protective provisions, further providing for prepayment penalty prohibited.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Loan Interest and Protection Law to ban prepayment penalties on residential mortgages taken out on or after its effective date. It directly affects homeowners with personal, family, or household loans by allowing them to pay off their mortgages early without incurring extra fees or charges. The law ensures that borrowers can clear their debt ahead of schedule without financial penalties, and the changes will become active 60 days after the bill is passed.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBanning prepayment penalties protects homeowners from financial barriers, allowing them to clear debt and potentially freeing up capital for future housing needs or reducing housing costs.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 11, 2026

HB 2109: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preemptions, providing for occupancy limits.

HB 2109 prohibits Pennsylvania local governments (like cities, towns, and counties) from setting household size limits based on familial relationships (such as parents with children or roommates). It allows occupancy limits only for verified health/safety standards (like building codes) or to comply with federal/state affordable housing program rules. The bill directly affects renters, homeowners, and local officials who previously enforced such restrictions. Key definitions clarify that "familial relationship" includes blood, marriage, adoption, or foster care ties, and "local government unit" covers all Pennsylvania municipalities. This bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits local occupancy limits based on family, protecting tenant rights and enabling more housing options by removing barriers to family and roommate arrangements, aligning with tenant protection goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 5, 2026

HB 2186: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for accessory dwelling units.

This bill allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs), such as secondary apartments or backyard cottages, to be built on properties with single-family homes across Pennsylvania. It requires every municipality to adopt a simple ordinance permitting at least one ADU per lot and mandates that applications be approved within 30 days (or 60 days with additional review), with automatic approval if deadlines are missed. Municipalities may charge a maximum $250 fee for processing and cannot require permit renewals. The law respects existing deed restrictions and planned community rules while aiming to increase housing options through standardized ADU access.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables ADUs on single-family lots, increasing housing supply and affordability by mandating municipal approval within 30 days and capping fees.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Pennsylvania · House May 7, 2026

HB 2103: An Act amending the act of October 27, 1955 (P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, further providing for the title of the act, for findings and declaration of policy, for right to freedom from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation, for definitions, for unlawful discriminatory practices and for prohibition of certain real estate practices; providing for protection of religious exercise; and further providing for powers and duties of the commission and for construction and exclusiveness of remedy.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to clarify that religious or fraternal organizations cannot restrict membership based on race, color, national origin, or ancestry to deny equal access to housing, employment, or public accommodations. It specifically updates Section 5(h)(10) to explicitly prohibit such discrimination under the guise of religious or fraternal affiliation. The change directly affects religious institutions, fraternal organizations, and housing providers operating under existing exemptions. The amendment takes effect 60 days after passage.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents housing discrimination by religious/fraternal organizations under PA Human Relations Act, aligning with tenant protection and equal access to housing.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAmends PA Human Relations Act to prohibit religious/fraternal orgs from discriminating in employment based on race/color/national origin, directly protecting workers' rights under employment standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Pennsylvania · House May 7, 2026

HB 558: An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, in creation of leases, statute of frauds and mortgaging of leaseholds, providing for rental applications.

HB 558 caps residential rental application fees at $20 per applicant and restricts landlords from charging more for background checks that must include criminal history and credit score checks. It directly affects residential landlords and tenants in Pennsylvania by limiting fee amounts and specifying how fees may be used. The bill exempts commercial or nonresidential properties from these fee limits. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill limits fees for background checks including criminal history, reducing barriers for tenants with records and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reintegration.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCaps residential tenant application fees at $20, reducing financial barriers to housing access and strengthening tenant protections per bill language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Pennsylvania · House May 1, 2026

HB 344: An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, in creation of leases, statute of frauds and mortgaging of leaseholds, providing for parking provisions in lease.

HB 344 amends Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act to require landlords to disclose parking availability and associated fees in rental leases. Landlords must state whether parking is provided, if a fee applies, and the exact amount - prohibiting fee increases during the lease term. Tenants can file complaints with lower courts (e.g., district justice) if landlords fail to comply, and landlords violating the rules must reimburse tenants for parking costs incurred. This directly affects landlords and tenants in Pennsylvania rental agreements involving parking.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequiring parking fee disclosure and prohibiting lease-term increases strengthens tenant protections under housing topic, aligning with tenant rights indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Pennsylvania · House May 1, 2026

HB 72: An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, providing for tenants' rights in cases of violence.

HB 72 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Landlord and Tenant Act to create new protections for tenants facing domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking. It defines "eligible tenants" as those who are victims themselves or have an immediate family/household member (living with them or within 1,000 feet) who is a victim of these specific violent acts. The bill requires landlords to provide safety options like changing locks or relocating tenants without penalty upon verification from an "attesting third party" (such as a police officer or victim advocate). This directly affects renters in these situations by ensuring they aren't unfairly evicted or penalized for seeking safety due to violence.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections by requiring landlords to provide safety options for victims of violence, directly addressing tenant rights under housing topic.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1492: An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, providing for use of criminal records to screen tenants; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission; and imposing penalties.

HB 1492 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Landlord and Tenant Act to regulate how landlords use criminal records when screening potential tenants. It would limit the types of criminal records landlords can consider and require the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to establish guidelines for fair screening practices. The bill also imposes penalties for landlords who violate the new rules and mandates the Commission to monitor compliance with the updated screening standards. This directly affects landlords conducting tenant screenings and tenants whose criminal records might impact their housing applications.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLimits criminal record use in tenant screening, promotes fair housing practices and civil rights, aligning with criminal justice reform goals by reducing barriers for individuals with past convictions.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits landlord use of criminal records in tenant screening, preventing discrimination and strengthening tenant protections under fair housing practices.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Dec 15, 2025

HB 1446: An Act authorizing local taxing authorities to provide for tax exemptions for improvements and redevelopment of certain underutilized property ; establishing the Economic Development and Mixed-Use Redevelopment Advisory Committee within the State Planning Board; and conferring powers and imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development.

HB 1446 allows local governments to grant tax exemptions for improvements and redevelopment of vacant or underused properties, directly affecting property owners and developers who redevelop sites like abandoned lots or outdated buildings. It establishes a state-level Economic Development and Mixed-Use Redevelopment Advisory Committee within the State Planning Board to advise on eligible projects and guide implementation. The Department of Community and Economic Development is given authority to manage the program, including setting eligibility rules and overseeing tax exemption approvals. The bill aims to incentivize revitalization of neglected properties by reducing financial barriers for redevelopment. This policy change focuses on concrete tax incentives and administrative structure, not speculative economic outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax exemptions for property redevelopment, offering tax relief to developers and property owners under local authority.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables tax exemptions for redevelopment of underutilized properties, directly encouraging housing development through economic incentives for property owners and developers.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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