Over the past several weeks, housing advocates have worked alongside families in West Philadelphia to preserve 925 affordable housing units located across a dozen neighborhoods, including communities experiencing significant increases in property values. These properties are home to approximately 3,000 residents who face the risk of displacement due to the expiration of affordability restrictions administered through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA). Unfortunately, this challenge extends far beyond Philadelphia. Over the next five years, nearly 9,000 federally assisted affordable housing units across Pennsylvania are projected to lose their affordability protections, placing thousands of additional families at risk.
 
Pennsylvania’s affordable housing crisis continues to affect communities throughout the Commonwealth. The potential loss of stable, affordable housing threatens the well-being of individuals and families and underscores the need for proactive solutions. Renters and prospective homebuyers are competing for a limited supply of housing, while rental rates and home prices continue to outpace wage growth. As a result, an increasing number of Pennsylvania households are spending an unsustainable share of their income on housing costs, leaving them vulnerable to financial hardship and housing instability.

This legislation would establish a publicly accessible database of publicly financed affordable housing properties throughout the Commonwealth. Administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency in coordination with local agencies, the database would include the location of each property, ownership information, the expiration date of affordability restrictions, and whether affordability programs are eligible for extension or renewal. Additionally, PHFA would be required to provide annual reports to the Governor and General Assembly identifying properties with affordability restrictions scheduled to expire within the following two years.

The need to preserve and expand access to affordable housing has never been more urgent. By increasing transparency and providing timely information regarding expiring affordability protections, this legislation will equip policymakers, advocates, local governments, and residents with the tools necessary to protect existing affordable housing and plan for future housing needs. Ensuring that Pennsylvanians have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing is a responsibility we all share.

Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation.