Last week, the Pennsylvania House Majority Policy Committee held a roundtable in College Township, Centre County, to address the mounting housing crisis affecting rural communities across the Commonwealth. Rep. Paul Takac (D‑Centre) hosted the discussion, emphasizing that the region’s aging homes and limited affordable options are hindering economic growth and family stability.
Key concerns raised by local leaders
Committee members noted that more than half of Pennsylvania’s existing homes were built before 1970, with over 1.5 million constructed prior to 1940. The aging stock is deteriorating, and rising construction costs have left many families unable to secure safe, affordable housing. “Housing is a basic human right and everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to live,” Rep. Takac said.
Kevin Bush, Pennsylvania’s first Deputy Secretary for Housing, highlighted that rural areas feel the strain most acutely. He outlined the Governor’s Housing Action Plan, a ten‑year strategy focused on building and preserving homes, expanding opportunities, modernizing development regulations, and improving coordination among state and local partners.
Housing Action Plan targets
The plan calls for the construction of 450,000 new homes by 2035. At current building rates, the Commonwealth would fall short by nearly 200,000 units. To close the gap, the plan proposes expanded grant and tax‑credit tools to encourage developers, increased investment in home‑repair programs, and broader tenant protections.
More than 1.4 million Pennsylvania households are cost‑burdened, spending over 30 % of their income on housing. The plan also includes statewide first‑time homebuyer initiatives championed by House Majority Policy Chairman Ryan Bizzarro (D‑Erie). “There’s nothing like saving up and buying your first home, but that’s becoming increasingly difficult for Pennsylvanians,” Bizzarro said.
Local perspectives
Attendees included Joanna Byrd, policy director for the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, and Gregory Scott, president and CEO of the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County. They stressed that affordable housing is not only a quality‑of‑life issue but also a critical factor for economic development, especially in rural areas that struggle with basic infrastructure such as water and sewer.
Rep. Takac added that high housing costs are preventing young people from entering the market, further eroding the region’s population base. The roundtable served as a forum for state, regional, and local experts to share ideas and explore practical solutions.
Next steps
The House Majority Policy Committee plans to continue working on legislation that implements components of the Housing Action Plan. Committee members urged the state Senate to join the effort, noting that several elements of the plan have already been passed by the House.
Testimony submitted for the discussion is available online for residents who wish to review the details.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
