In his 2025-2026 budget proposal, Gov. Josh Shapiro highlighted a six-part plan and $70 million in new funding to expand affordable housing across Pennsylvania, as the cost of homes and rent has increased exponentially. “To meet the need for housing this year alone, we need more than 100,000 new homes and apartments,” he said. Shapiro’s plan includes $10 million to help first-time home buyers with closing costs, aimed at moving people out of the rental market. Shapiro also proposed an additional $10 million toward the state’s existing program that funds the development of affordable housing units and $50 million in funds to repair homes. Additionally, he advocated for the creation of an interagency council on homelessness, new staff on the state’s planning board, and the sealing of eviction records of residents who were never evicted from their homes. Shapiro said the highlighted steps were developed by his Housing Action Plan, which will produce a full report later this year.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 2/4/2025