The rising cost of housing was the focus of a state House Majority Policy Committee roundtable on Sept. 9 in Bucks County, hosted by state Rep. Jim Prokopiak (D-140). He noted that, since 2017, rents and home prices in the region have climbed 50%, straining families and essential services. “We need to find ways to lower the cost of housing and make the American dream more attainable,” Prokopiak said. Lawmakers and testifiers pointed to wages that lag behind housing costs, a shortage of new construction, and restrictive zoning as key barriers. Pennsylvania ranks 44th nationally for new housing starts, due largely to zoning challenges. Families in unstable housing, they warned, are more likely to face food insecurity, health problems and educational setbacks. Anne Costello, a Bucks County Realtor and immediate past chair of the Suburban Realtors Alliance, said affordability has become a community-wide crisis. She cited 7% mortgage rates, rising prices and historically low inventory that leave families and first-time buyers with few options. Builders, she added, face steep costs and zoning rules that make affordable homes nearly impossible to construct. “There’s no single fix to this problem, but progress is possible — and it starts with collaboration,” she said. Prokopiak highlighted legislation he has introduced to expand moderate-income housing, stabilize rents and boost supply. Lawmakers also heard calls to streamline zoning approvals, which could lower costs and speed development. House Majority Policy Chairman Ryan Bizzarro (D-3) called housing a “human right,” stressing that expanding access would strengthen communities and fuel economic growth.
Source: Rep. Jim Prokopiak; 9/9/2025