Harrisburg – June 19, 2019 – State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) released the following statement in support of affordable housing legislation unanimously passing the Housing and Urban Affairs Committee today:

“Affordable housing is not just an obstacle for those in poverty, it is a challenge for moderate income families as well.

On my recent four-stop poverty tour across the Commonwealth, I heard a young man describe living in his car with three younger siblings until he could scrape up money for a bad apartment in Lock Haven. The lack of affordable housing was a consistent obstacle mentioned.

I thank my colleagues in the Housing and Urban Affairs Committee for unanimous support today of affordable housing legislation that I am sponsoring on a bipartisan basis with Senator Elder Vogel. This legislation will lift the $25 million cap on real estate transfer tax dollars going into the affordable housing trust fund. The elimination of the cap will not change or increase the real estate transfer tax.

In addition, this legislation will generate hundreds of affordable housing units across the state and make an impact on the thousands of Pennsylvanians seeking a better life. I look forward to approval by the entire Senate, House, and Governor Wolf.”

Affordable housing legislation (SB 31) unanimously approved by the Housing and Urban Affairs Committee will allow for more home repairs for retirees, create more housing units for those in need, and rehabilitate homes for low- or moderate-income families.