Housing

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 570: An Act providing for middle-income, low-income and very-low-income housing units in new residential development projects.

HB 570 requires developers of new residential projects with 30 or more units to include affordable housing units. Specifically, projects must reserve 5% of units for very-low-income households (earning 50% or less of the area median income), 10% for low-income households (up to 80% of median income), and 10% for middle-income households (80-120% of median income). Developers must meet phased completion targets as market-rate units are finished - such as 10% affordable units when 25% of market units are complete - and municipalities may withhold certificates of occupancy if requirements aren’t met. The bill directly affects developers of qualifying new residential projects in Pennsylvania, aiming to increase housing options for lower-income residents.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 5-20% affordable housing units in new developments for low/middle-income households, directly advancing affordable housing access per bill requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Zoning

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 546: An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, in preliminary provisions, providing for residential rental property rate increases; and establishing the Rent Control Advisory Board.

SB 546 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Landlord and Tenant Act to regulate rent increases for residential properties. It limits annual rent hikes to the greater of 10% or the county's annual area median income increase, requires landlords to disclose rent discounts separately, and prohibits more than one increase per year for the same tenant without agreement. The bill establishes a Rent Control Advisory Board (appointed with tenant, developer, housing, and government representatives) to monitor implementation, issue annual reports, and track county median income data. It directly affects all residential landlords and tenants in Pennsylvania by setting clear rent increase rules and creating oversight for enforcement. Violations require landlords to pay three months' rent plus damages to affected tenants.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits rent hikes to 10% or median income increase, prohibits multiple annual increases, requires rent discount disclosure - directly strengthens tenant protections and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 1020: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in neighborhood blight reclamation and revitalization, further providing for definitions and providing for vacant and blighted property registration; and imposing penalties.

HB 1020 creates a system for Pennsylvania municipalities to register vacant and blighted properties and impose annual fees on owners who fail to bring properties into compliance with municipal codes. Properties remain on the registry until owners fix issues or sell to compliant buyers, with fees starting at $500 in year one and rising to $5,000 after nine years. Exemptions include properties under active renovation (within 12 months of a permit), those actively marketed for sale/rent (with time limits), and government-owned properties. This directly affects property owners in municipalities that adopt the registration program, requiring them to pay escalating fees if properties remain unaddressed.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill incentivizes property maintenance to revitalize neighborhoods, reducing blight and supporting housing development through municipal enforcement of compliance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Renters

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 19, 2025

HB 1664: An Act providing for the redevelopment of older buildings; and establishing the Older Building Redevelopment Assistance Grant Program and the Older Building Redevelopment Fund.

HB 1664 establishes a state grant program and a dedicated fund to provide financial assistance for renovating or redeveloping older buildings. The Older Building Redevelopment Assistance Grant Program would offer grants to property owners and developers to update aging commercial or residential structures, with funding sourced from the newly created Older Building Redevelopment Fund. This bill directly affects owners of older buildings seeking to redevelop properties that may lack modern infrastructure. The program aims to support local revitalization efforts through state-funded grants, though the bill remains pending after being laid on the table.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated state fund and grant program to allocate budget resources for building redevelopment, directly funding property owner renovations through state appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes state grants/fund for renovating older residential/commercial buildings, directly funding housing redevelopment to modernize aging structures and increase housing stock availability.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Historic Preservation

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 29, 2025

SB 195: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for the offense of unlawful possession and sale or lease of property and for the offense of unauthorized occupancy of dwellings.

SB 195 creates new criminal offenses related to property occupancy and transactions in Pennsylvania. It defines unlawful possession of dwellings (e.g., entering with criminal intent or causing $1,000+ damage) as a felony of the third degree (§ 3601), and fraudulent sales/leases of residential property as a felony of the second degree (§ 3603). The bill also establishes a streamlined process for removing unauthorized occupants (defined as "squatters" without lease or authorization) via a sworn affidavit to law enforcement, requiring proof of notice and absence of litigation (Chapter 68A). These provisions directly affect individuals occupying properties without legal right and those engaging in deceptive property transactions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony offenses (e.g., unlawful dwelling possession, fraudulent sales) and expands criminalization, increasing penalties without reform elements like rehabilitation or accountability.90% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill criminalizes unauthorized occupancy and fraudulent leases, enabling swift removal of occupants without leases, weakening tenant protections by prioritizing property owner rights over housing access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 24, 2025

HB 702: An Act amending the act of June 27, 2006 (1st Sp.Sess., P.L.1873, No.1), known as the Taxpayer Relief Act, in senior citizens property tax and rent rebate assistance, further providing for definitions.

HB 702 amends the definition of "claimant" in Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to clarify eligibility for senior citizens' property tax and rent rebate assistance. The bill specifies three qualifying categories: individuals aged 65 or older (or with a spouse aged 65+), widows or widowers aged 50 or older, and permanently disabled persons aged 18 or older during the tax year. This change directly affects seniors, widows/widowers, and disabled residents applying for the rebate program by providing clearer eligibility standards. The amendment updates existing definitions without creating new benefits or altering funding. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesClarifies eligibility for senior/disabled tax rebates, expanding access to existing relief program. Directly provides tax benefit to vulnerable groups, aligning with tax relief indicators.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingClarifies eligibility for senior/disabled rent/property tax rebates, directly reducing housing costs for vulnerable groups under existing assistance program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes Renters

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 28, 2025

HB 1214: An Act amending the act of May 22, 1933 (P.L.853, No.155), known as The General County Assessment Law, in subjects of taxation and exemptions, further providing for temporary tax exemption for residential construction.

HB 1214 temporarily exempts new residential construction from county property taxes under the General County Assessment Law. It directly affects homeowners and developers building new single-family homes or residential units. The bill creates a limited-duration tax break, meaning newly constructed homes would not be taxed at full market value during the exemption period, instead being assessed at a lower rate. This change applies only to new residential construction, not existing homes or other property types.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides temporary tax exemption for new residential construction, reducing property tax burden per summary. Aligns with tax relief indicator for Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingTax exemption for new residential construction incentivizes housing development, increasing supply which alignates with affordable housing goals by lowering development costs for builders.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 8, 2025

HB 24: An Act providing for off-campus student housing rights.

This bill requires Pennsylvania's Department of Education to create and distribute a "student bill of rights" to all off-campus students at accredited colleges and universities in the state. The bill outlines specific tenant protections, including the right to habitable housing, privacy, a hearing before eviction, and reasonable accommodations for disabilities. Institutions must also provide students with an online course about housing rights, which students must complete within their first semester (or pay a $50 fee for non-completion). The law applies to all public and private higher education institutions in Pennsylvania and takes effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes housing rights and mandatory education for off-campus students, enhancing student welfare and access within higher education institutions.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates tenant protections for off-campus students including habitable housing, eviction hearings, and disability accommodations, directly strengthening tenant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Tenant Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2025

HB 1034: 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 payments for utility services.

HB 1034 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Landlord and Tenant Act to clarify utility payment rules for renters. It requires landlords who collect water, sewer, gas, or electricity payments directly from tenants to include a written notice in the lease about this obligation and provide a copy of the utility bill to the tenant within five days of a written request. The bill directly affects residential tenants and landlords in Pennsylvania rental agreements. Key provisions ensure transparency by mandating written notice and timely access to billing information, with the law taking effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires landlords to provide written utility notices and bills to tenants, enhancing transparency and tenant rights under PA's Landlord-Tenant Act.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 573: An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, in recovery of possession, further providing for escrow funds limited.

HB 573 amends Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act to require that all security deposits, including pet deposits, be fully refundable at the end of a lease. The bill prohibits landlords from including any lease provision labeling these deposits as nonrefundable. This directly affects residential landlords and tenants by ensuring deposits must be returned unless deductions are made for legitimate damages beyond normal wear and tear. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires full refundability of security deposits, strengthening tenant protections and preventing landlords from retaining nonrefundable fees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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