Housing

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 10, 2025

HB 841: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in disposition of Commonwealth surplus land, further providing for annual property survey.

HB 841 requires Pennsylvania state agencies to complete an annual survey of all Commonwealth-owned real property by March 1 each year. Agencies must identify surplus land and, in consultation with the Department of Community and Economic Development, assess each surplus parcel's potential for affordable housing development for very low-income, low-income, and middle-income households. The Department of Community and Economic Development will compile these surveys, report to the legislature, and evaluate whether surplus properties can be transferred to other agencies for more appropriate use. This bill amends the Administrative Code of 1929 to establish these annual requirements for managing state-owned property.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates annual survey of surplus land to assess potential for affordable housing development targeting low/middle-income households, advancing housing access through land utilization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 4, 2025

HB 1778: An Act establishing the Essential Energy Stability Fund Pilot Program to provide limited, off-season utility assistance to eligible low-income households; and making an appropriation.

HB 1778 establishes a pilot program called the Essential Energy Stability Fund to provide limited financial assistance for utility bills to eligible low-income households during off-season periods (outside regular peak billing cycles). The fund would use a dedicated state appropriation to help households manage unexpected energy costs when they might face financial strain. This temporary program is designed to test whether targeted off-season support can improve energy affordability for vulnerable residents. The bill focuses on concrete funding for direct assistance, not broader policy changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds via appropriation for essential utility assistance program targeting low-income households, directly advancing public service funding under budget management.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill provides financial assistance for utility bills to low-income households, protecting consumers from energy cost strain. Directly supports energy affordability and consumer protection as per topic indicators.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides off-season utility assistance to low-income households, reducing energy cost burden and supporting housing affordability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 22, 2025

HB 275: An Act providing for grants to subsidize home ownership; establishing the Pennsylvania Affordable Homeownership Subsidy Program; imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development; and providing for report to General Assembly.

HB 275 establishes the Pennsylvania Affordable Homeownership Subsidy Program to help low-to-moderate-income households buy homes. It provides grants (capped at $125,000 per county applicant) for specific projects like homebuyer assistance, property acquisition, and homeownership education, targeting households earning 60%-120% of the area median income (as defined by HUD). The Department of Community and Economic Development will administer the program, set application guidelines, and submit annual reports to the General Assembly on program outcomes. The bill requires sufficient state funding to activate the program, with an effective date 180 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesState allocates funds via new homeownership subsidy program targeting low-income households, increasing public spending on housing assistance.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingHB 275 creates a grant program (capped at $125k/county) to subsidize home purchases for low-to-moderate-income households (60-120% AMI), directly advancing affordable housing access through funding and homeownership assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 3, 2025

SB 218: An Act amending the act of May 28, 1937 (P.L.955, No.265), referred to as the Housing Authorities Law, further providing for establishment of rentals and selection of tenants and for veteran preferences.

SB 218 amends Pennsylvania's Housing Authorities Law to clarify tenant selection rules and expand veteran preferences for low-income housing. It requires housing authorities to rent only to low-income tenants (with income ≤ six times annual rent, including utility costs) and prohibits renting to non-citizens or those violating immigration laws. The bill also adds a provision ensuring veteran preferences apply to all qualifying housing programs, not just specific ones. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania housing authorities and applicants seeking subsidized housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires low-income tenant selection (≤6x rent) and expands veteran preferences for affordable housing programs, directly advancing access to affordable housing.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationProhibits renting to non-citizens in low-income housing, restricting immigrant access to housing services per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veteran preferences in low-income housing tenant selection, requiring housing authorities to prioritize veterans across all qualifying programs per amended Housing Authorities Law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights Veteran Housing

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 472: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in licensing of drivers, further providing for learners' permits, for application for driver's license or learner's permit, for application for driver's license or learner's permit by minor and for issuance and content of driver's license; and, in fees, further providing for driver's license and learner's permit.

HB 472 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle code to support minors experiencing homelessness (defined as individuals under 18 meeting federal homelessness criteria under 42 U.S.C. § 11434A). It allows these minors to use temporary addresses (like schools or shelters) for license applications, substitute school/social worker signatures for parental/guardian signatures, and waive initial license/ID fees. The bill directly affects homeless youth under 18 seeking driver's licenses or learner's permits in Pennsylvania. Key provisions include updated definitions in Section 102, revised application requirements in Sections 1505(g), 1506(c), and 1507(a), and fee waivers in Sections 1510(k) and 1951(e).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables homeless youth (under 18) to use school addresses/signatures for driver's licenses, removing barriers to transportation access for K-12 education.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directly addresses homelessness by enabling homeless minors (under 18) to obtain driver's licenses without parental signatures or fees, removing barriers to housing stability and access to services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 32: 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 32 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to clarify income definitions for senior citizens' property tax and rent rebate programs. It specifically adds a temporary exception: seniors who were already eligible for rebates as of December 31, 2012, may retain eligibility if their household income limit is exceeded solely due to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). This exception applies only to income increases from Social Security COLAs, not other income sources, and expires on December 31, 2016. The change directly affects seniors whose rebate eligibility was previously jeopardized by automatic Social Security payment increases.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesClarifies income definitions to maintain senior rebate eligibility, preventing loss of tax relief due to Social Security COLAs, aligning with tax relief for lower-income seniors.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAmends senior housing rebate program to maintain eligibility for income increases from Social Security COLAs, protecting housing affordability for seniors without restricting access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes Renters

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 133: A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for exemptions and special provisions.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt certain veterans and their surviving spouses from Pennsylvania property taxes on their primary residences. It applies to veterans who served honorably and have specific service-connected disabilities (such as blindness, paralysis, amputation, or a 100% VA-rated disability), as well as surviving spouses of veterans killed in action or with service-connected deaths. The exemption requires the State Veterans' Commission to verify the applicant’s financial need and does not consider disability compensation when determining eligibility. The amendment must be approved by the General Assembly and voters before taking effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for veterans with disabilities, offering tax relief to lower-income veterans and surviving spouses, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts veterans from property taxes on primary residences, reducing housing costs for eligible homeowners, directly supporting affordable housing access for this group.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts veterans with service-connected disabilities and surviving spouses from property taxes, directly expanding financial benefits for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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passed · Pennsylvania · House May 22, 2025

HB 1062: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in neighborhood blight reclamation and revitalization, providing for State blight data collection system; and establishing the Property Maintenance Code Serious Violations Registry and the Property Maintenance Code Serious Violations Registry Account.

HB 1062 creates a statewide system for tracking neighborhood blight by requiring municipalities to collect data on property maintenance violations. It establishes a Property Maintenance Code Serious Violations Registry to list properties with repeated severe maintenance issues and a dedicated funding account to support blight remediation efforts. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania municipalities, property owners, and landlords in areas designated as blighted, providing local governments with standardized data to target enforcement. Key provisions include mandatory data collection by cities/towns, a centralized registry for serious violations, and dedicated funding through the new account to aid property rehabilitation. If enacted, this would standardize blight reporting and funding across Pennsylvania communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes dedicated Property Maintenance Code Serious Violations Registry Account for blight remediation funding, advancing fiscal management of public services.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates statewide blight tracking, registry, and dedicated funding for property maintenance remediation, directly improving housing conditions and preventing deterioration in affected neighborhoods.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 803: An Act providing for the establishment of first-time homebuyer savings accounts for first-time homebuyers in this Commonwealth; establishing the First-time Homebuyer Savings Account Program and the First-time Homebuyer Savings Account Fund; and imposing duties on the Treasury Department.

SB 803, the First-Time Homebuyer Savings Account Act, creates a program allowing Pennsylvania residents who have never owned a home (first-time homebuyers) to open tax-advantaged savings accounts. The Treasury Department will administer the program using existing structures (like the ABLE Program), enabling account holders to save for down payments and closing costs on single-family homes. Funds in the accounts can only be used for eligible home purchase expenses, with the program funded by account contributions and earnings - not state debt. This bill directly affects first-time homebuyers seeking to save for homeownership within Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax-advantaged savings accounts for first-time homebuyers, providing tax relief to middle-income residents through state-administered program.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax-advantaged savings accounts for down payments/closing costs, directly enabling first-time homebuyers to access homeownership.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Homeownership

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 15, 2025

HB 1574: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, establishing the Redevelopment Authority Startup Loan Program and the Redevelopment Authority Startup Fund.

HB 1574 creates a new loan program and fund to help local redevelopment authorities start community renewal projects. It establishes a Redevelopment Authority Startup Fund to provide low-interest loans for initiatives like rebuilding neighborhoods or revitalizing downtown areas. This directly affects cities and towns with active redevelopment agencies, giving them a new way to finance early-stage projects. The bill amends the Fiscal Code to set up this funding mechanism, changing how these local agencies access capital for urban renewal efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new Redevelopment Authority Startup Fund and loan program via Fiscal Code amendment, directly allocating state funds for community renewal projects and financing local redevelopment initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates new fund for low-interest loans to finance community renewal projects including neighborhood rebuilding and downtown revitalization, directly supporting housing development initiatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development

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