Pennsylvania could lose more than 43,000 federally supported affordable rental units between 2027 and 2036 as affordability restrictions expire, according to a new report from the Housing Initiative at Penn and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. Philadelphia could be particularly affected, with 7,951 units across 135 properties at risk of losing their affordability protections. Many of the units were developed through the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, which requires properties to remain affordable for a specified period but does not automatically provide permanent affordability. Researchers say many properties will likely renew or refinance, but the potential losses come as Pennsylvania faces a broader housing shortage and more federally assisted units are approaching the end of their affordability restrictions than were created through similar programs between 2013 and 2022. The state’s Housing Action Plan estimates Pennsylvania needs 450,000 new housing units by 2035 and projects a shortfall of nearly 185,000 units at the current construction pace.
Source: WHYY; 10/1/2026