Spotlighting Shapiro’s Housing Proposal

Are we hopeful of a budget increase that will impact housing insecurity concerns?

Last week, Governor Shapiro of Pennsylvania presented his proposed budget for 2024-25, featuring unprecedented investments in housing, homelessness assistance, and home repair. The Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund, or PHARE, was created to provide a means for Pennsylvania state and federal funds to be distributed and assist and support affordable housing efforts throughout Pennsylvania. Typically, funds available to PHARE are capped at $60 million. Still, in the new proposal, Shapiro recommends increasing the amount to $10 million yearly until it reaches $100 million in 2028 to improve housing affordability in the Commonwealth. 

In addition, Shapiro also wants to direct $50 million to a popular state program that helps homeowners pay for essential housing repairs, Whole-Homes Repair. Often, you can drive through the outskirts of Philadelphia and see dilapidated homes or houses in total disrepair that still have people living in them. This money could be used to assist homeowners with repairs that make their homes more livable, from new roofs to electrical wiring and plumbing repairs. The funds can also make homes more accessible for those with disabilities. Unfortunately, the program faces an extraordinary number of applications each year to cover the cost of resident projects, and the waitlist continues to grow. This frustrates many Pennsylvanians who continue to reside in less-than-habitable circumstances. 

Yet, while the increase in funding for PHARE could benefit many, it’s still being determined whether it will pass negotiations due to potential increases in the budget deficit and taxes. Unfortunately, we saw similar problems with passing the $50 million last year, and the increase was ultimately not included in the bills passed in December 2023. 

Until next time…