Shapiro signs executive order launching Pa.'s first comprehensive Housing Action Plan

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order directing the cap on state funding for housing support to rise to $100 million.

The order, signed at Wynne Senior Residences in West Philadelphia, is a $40 million boost to the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund, which provides money to build affordable housing and rental assistance to low-income families.

“We can't expect people to be healthy, productive and capable of giving back to others if they don't have a stable housing situation, if they don't have a safe roof over their head,” Shapiro said. “We don't have enough safe, affordable housing for Pennsylvanians.”

Shapiro says that since 2010, the number of renters in the state has increased by 200,000 while the cost of rent continues to rise.

Officials say that one out of five Philadelphian households spends 50% of their income on rent.

This is part of the state’s first comprehensive Housing Action Plan, according to Shapiro. The legislature approved the increase — to be made over the next two years — as part of the state budget.

State Representative Morgan Cephas pointed to several housing developments and improvements in the city that benefited from the plan but stressed more needs to be done.

“We're seeing 6,000 students identified as unhoused in the 2022 and 2023 school year, which is a 46% increase from the previous school year alone,” Cephas said.