HARRISBURG – A package of legislation aimed at expanding access to attainable housing while preserving local control and neighborhood character has advanced out of the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee, chaired by Senator Joe Picozzi (R-5).

“Pennsylvania’s housing shortage is no longer a distant concern – it’s a present and growing challenge,” Picozzi said. “If we want to expand access to housing, we need to build more homes – but we must do it the right way. That means respecting neighborhoods, giving communities a real voice, and ensuring growth benefits the people who live there”.

Across Pennsylvania, rising housing costs are putting pressure on families, pricing out young professionals, and making it harder for seniors to remain in their homes. To address these challenges, Picozzi and his colleagues are advancing a coordinated package of reforms designed to increase housing supply, reduce costs, and support smart sustainable growth.

The legislation includes:

• Senate Bill 803, sponsored by Senator Rosemary Brown (R-40), which establishes the First-Time Homebuyers Savings Accounts, allowing individuals to save for a home with tax advantages.
• Senate Bill 1277, sponsored by Senator Pat Stefano (R-32), which updates the law to give communities more flexibility to offer up to 20 years of tax relief, helping spur construction of new homes and local growth.
• Senate Bill 1278, sponsored by Senator Picozzi, which creates a Residential Economic Development District (REDD) Grant Program to support the construction of housing near job centers through partnerships between local government and developers.
• Senate Bill 1279, sponsored by Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-28), which creates a Housing Development Regulatory Compliance Officer to serve as a single point of contact and improve coordination in the permitting process.
• Senate Bill 1281, sponsored by Senator Greg Rothman (R-34), which streamlines municipal approval processes by allowing pre-approved housing plans, reducing delays and cutting unnecessary red tape.

The package also promotes commonsense reforms such as modernizing zoning practices, encouraging redevelopment of underused properties, and supporting infill development – all while maintaining local input in how communities grow.

The bills now move to the full Senate for consideration.

CONTACT: Danielle LaBrake dlabrake@pasen.gov