Everyone deserves a safe place to call home.
That is increasingly impossible for more and more families in Pennsylvania and across the United States. A recent report shows a national shortage of 7 million affordable rental homes for the lowest-income households, with our Commonwealth among the most severely affected states -- at only 39 affordable homes available for every 100 extremely low-income households.
Seventy-one percent of the poorest renter households are severely cost burdened, spending more than half of their incomes on housing, with little left over for other necessities, according to the study by the National Low Income Housing Coalition and the The Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania. Our ministries are stretching to serve the increasing numbers of neighbors experiencing homelessness. Learn more about housing in your county.
As Christians we are called to care for our neighbors, especially those made vulnerable by homelessness and housing insecurity. Our ELCA social statement “Economic Life: Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All” reminds us that “God has created a world of sufficiency for all, providing us daily and abundantly with all the necessities of life… the problem is not the lack of resources, but how they are shared, distributed, and made accessible within society.” Homelessness and housing insecurity not only make people more vulnerable to physical and economic hardship, but also increase risk for violence, exploitation and long-term physical and mental health consequences.
Two pending programs can help make sure our neighbors can stay safely in their homes:
HB 1650 - The Home Preservation Grant Program Act - builds on the success of The Whole-Home Repairs Program and aids homeowners across the commonwealth in making necessary repairs that they cannot affords. These repairs can range from relatively minor fixes such as weatherproofing to major renovations that could keep older homes inhabitable, reduce energy use and save on future health and utility costs. In its first year, the demand for this program outstripped availability, with counties creating long long waiting lists for services. See this report from our partners at the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania to learn more about the impact of the Whole Homes Repair Program.
Housing construction, rehabilitation and repair have a substantial economic impact, creating up to 200 jobs for every $10 million spent and generating $2.28 for every dollar spent. Local tax bases grow from increased property values, land reuse, new development, and employment opportunities. Furthermore, affordable housing provides the foundation for economic mobility for thousands of individuals and families, breaking the cycle of generational poverty.
HB1650 passed the House with bipartisan support! It now goes to the Senate for consideration.
The Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE), administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Authority, expands opportunity for people in need and revitalizes communities. Funded through a portion of the PA Realty Transfer Tax (RTT), PHARE supports hundreds of projects annually to end homelessness, support home ownership, rehabilitate blighted properties, and provide housing for veterans, the elderly, and re-entry community.
The strength of Pennsylvania's real estate market and corresponding growth of resources from the RTT have made millions in additional PHARE funding possible, but unavailable due to the current funding cap. At the same time, Pennsylvania is experiencing an affordable housing crisis fueled by the pandemic and exacerbated by increasing costs of housing and construction.
Join people of faith across Pennsylvania in encouraging lawmakers to support HB1650 and raising the cap on the PHARE fund. Please include a personal note to your senator, especially if you have lived experience of homelessness or have benefitted from the Whole Home Repairs Program -- it does make a difference!
