Housing

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 13, 2025

HB 1459: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for multiple-unit dwelling zoning ordinances.

House Bill 1459 amends Pennsylvania law concerning municipal zoning ordinances for multiple-unit dwellings. It requires certain municipalities - those with over 5,000 residents in a growing county - to permit multiple-unit dwellings and mixed-use developments as a right in commercial zones with existing water and sewer services. The bill also limits off-street parking requirements for these developments to one space per unit. Municipalities may petition a planning agency to review a proposed development's impact on existing infrastructure and require developers to make necessary improvements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires municipalities to permit multiple-unit housing in commercial zones, increasing housing supply and development opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

Track

passed · Pennsylvania · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 369: An Act amending Title 68 (Real and Personal Property) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in land banks, further providing for definitions.

HB 369 amends Pennsylvania's land bank law by updating two key definitions in the property code. It changes "land bank jurisdiction" to allow two or more small municipalities (each with fewer than 10,000 residents) to form a land bank together through an agreement. The bill also expands "municipality" to include home rule, optional plan, and optional charter municipalities. These changes clarify which local governments can establish land banks under current law. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables collaborative land banks for property redevelopment, facilitating affordable housing development through clarified municipal authority.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Zoning

Track

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

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 600: An Act providing for regulation of housing wholesalers.

HB 600 requires businesses that buy and sell residential homes (without living in them) to obtain a state license. To get licensed, they must pay a $200 fee, provide insurance proof, and pass a background check for recent fraud or dishonesty convictions. Before making an offer to buy a home, these businesses must give homeowners a written disclosure explaining how to find property value estimates and access legal or real estate help. Homeowners can also add their property to a public "do-not-solicit" list to stop being contacted by these businesses. The bill directly affects home-buying businesses and homeowners.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates disclosures and licensing for housing wholesalers to protect homeowners from predatory practices, aligning with tenant protection indicators.85% confidence

Tags Licensing

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 300: 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.

HB 300 amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to add explicit protections for religious exercise alongside existing anti-discrimination rules. It directly affects employers, housing providers, and businesses offering public accommodations by prohibiting discrimination based on religion in employment, housing, and public services. The bill updates the law to include religious freedom as a protected category under anti-discrimination provisions. It also clarifies the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission's authority to enforce these protections. The amendment does not create new enforcement mechanisms but integrates religious exercise protections into the existing framework of the 1955 Act.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAdds religious discrimination protection to housing anti-discrimination provisions, strengthening tenant protections under PA Human Relations Act.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds religious discrimination protections to employment anti-discrimination law, expanding worker rights under PA Human Relations Act.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 1155: An Act providing for community solar facilities; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, electric distribution companies and subscriber organizations; and providing for prevailing wage and labor requirements and for ratepayer protections.

HB 1155 establishes a legal framework for community solar programs in Pennsylvania, allowing multiple subscribers (including renters and low-income households) to share ownership of solar facilities and receive bill credits for the electricity generated. The bill requires electric distribution companies to implement these programs, mandates prevailing wage standards for solar installation workers, and sets protections to ensure subscribers receive guaranteed savings. It directly affects utility companies, community solar organizations, and subscribers - particularly those who cannot install rooftop solar due to housing constraints or income limits. Key provisions include preventing single subscribers from owning over 50% of a facility, requiring at least 50% of capacity to serve small subscriptions (25 kW or less), and ensuring ratepayer costs are managed responsibly.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes community solar framework, mandates utility implementation, requires prevailing wages for solar workers, and ensures ratepayer protections/guaranteed savings. Directly advances renewable energy infrastructure and consumer access t...90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides bill credits to renters/low-income households via community solar, reducing housing-related utility costs, aligning with affordable housing indicators.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates prevailing wage standards for solar installation workers, directly protecting labor rights and ensuring fair compensation per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Utility Regulation

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 882: An Act prohibiting the harassment of homeowners by real estate professionals and construction companies; and imposing penalties.

HB 882 prohibits real estate professionals (including agents, brokers, and developers) and construction companies from using "predatory tactics" like repeated unsolicited contact after a homeowner requests no further contact, or threats regarding the sale of their property. It requires these professionals to disclose their identity and the intended buyer of the homeowner's property during initial contact. Violators face civil penalties of $2,000 to $10,000 per violation, with each continuing day counting as a separate violation. Homeowners harmed by these practices can sue for damages and recover attorney fees.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects homeowner property rights by prohibiting harassment tactics in real estate transactions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 5, 2025

HB 816: A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for exemptions and special provisions relating to taxation.

HB 816 proposes a constitutional amendment to Pennsylvania's tax code, creating a new standard for homeowners to qualify for relief from real property taxes. It would allow the state legislature to establish income-based thresholds, exempting homeowners from paying the portion of their local property tax on their primary home that exceeds a certain percentage of their household income. This directly affects homeowners who pay local property taxes and meet income criteria set by the legislature. As a constitutional amendment, it requires approval by the General Assembly and then by voters in a statewide election. The bill does not specify income percentages or implementation details, only authorizing future legislation to create such standards.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProposes income-based property tax exemption for homeowners, providing relief to lower-income households, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides income-based property tax relief for primary homeowners, reducing housing costs for low-income residents, aligning with affordable housing goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 529: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Smart Growth Zoning and Housing Program and the Smart Growth Zoning District Fund.

HB 529 establishes a program allowing Pennsylvania municipalities to create "Smart Growth Zoning Districts" in areas with good transit access or existing development (like downtowns or near transit stations). It creates a "Smart Growth Zoning District Fund" that pays municipalities a one-time "density bonus payment" for each new housing unit built in these districts, specifically targeting "attainable housing" for residents earning up to 120% of the area's median income. Municipalities must submit detailed housing plans showing how they will meet local housing needs through these districts. The bill directly affects local governments, developers, and residents seeking affordable housing options in designated zones.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new state fund (Smart Growth Zoning District Fund) to provide density bonus payments for housing, directly increasing state budget allocation for housing programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates financial incentives for affordable housing development in transit-accessible areas, targeting residents at 120% AMI through density bonus payments.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationPromotes transit-oriented development by incentivizing housing near transit hubs, aligning with sustainable transportation goals through density bonus payments.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning Vehicle Registration

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 609: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in optional affordable housing funding, further providing for affordable housing programs fee in counties and providing for reporting requirements and for Pennsylvania Affordable Housing Advisory Committee; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.

SB 609 limits county fees for affordable housing programs to 100% of existing deed/mortgage recording fees and requires counties to report annually (starting July 2025) on how they use these funds. It establishes the Pennsylvania Affordable Housing Advisory Committee within the Housing Finance Agency, composed of 16 diverse members representing counties, housing advocates, developers, low-income communities, and related sectors. The committee will review county reports, recommend policy improvements, and ensure transparency through public posting of meeting agendas and minutes. This bill directly affects Pennsylvania counties collecting these fees and the Housing Finance Agency, which oversees reporting requirements and committee operations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits county fees to existing levels, mandates annual reporting, and establishes advisory committee to improve affordable housing program funding and oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Mortgages

Track