In the near future, I plan on introducing legislation to eliminate arbitrary limits on nonrelated roommates. 

Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia, “The Golden Girls,” normalized the idea of nonrelated adults residing together. With housing costs rising so quickly, efforts to make it feasible for people to share space like that is more important than ever. Yet in many Pennsylvania communities, outdated rules make these kinds of living arrangements illegal by limiting the number of nonrelated people who can reside in the same home. Under current trends, Pennsylvania will need to add 450,000 new housing units by 2035 to meet anticipated housing demands. In other words, the Commonwealth is short on housing units.

While housing has risen up many legislators’ priority lists, our policies have not yet caught up to meet the enormous need. Outdated restrictions on the number of nonrelated people who can share a home drive up demand for housing and increase cost-of-living expenses. To remedy this, we must pass legislation that allows Pennsylvanians to save money while living with friends. 

This legislation, a companion bill to Representative Khan’s House Bill 2109, would prevent municipalities from enacting arbitrary limits on nonrelated roommates, except where true health and safety standards apply. 

When passed, this legislation will expand housing options, modernize housing policies, and help people stay in their communities in homes they can afford. Other states like Iowa and Colorado have already moved in this direction. 

I ask for your support so more Pennsylvanians can share a home, support one another, and know they truly have a friend in Pennsylvania.