Across the nation, a growing number of individuals have become rent burdened in recent years, meaning that they spend over 30% of their monthly income on rent. In our state, this is true of over 43% of renters. Living in a rent burdened household can have significant negative consequences, including a higher risk of eviction, less money to be spent on key resources like health care, and negative developmental effects on children raised in such homes.
 
Pennsylvania’s lack of rent stabilization laws does nothing to ease these burdens faced by our constituents. That is why we plan to introduce legislation that would institute limits to how much rent can be raised by landlords in Pennsylvania to prevent these increases from significantly outpacing inflation and tenants’ salary raises. As elected officials, it is our responsibility to ensure our constituents can afford to provide a home for themselves and their loved ones.
 
States like California and Oregon have already enacted statewide rent stabilization laws, and I hope you will join us in supporting this important legislation to provide much-needed protections for the residents of our state. Doing so will help to make our state a more affordable place to live.
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 0963: P.L.69, No.20