Governor Josh Shapiro signed Executive Order 2024-03, directing his Administration to create Pennsylvania’s first comprehensive Housing Action Plan to address the state’s housing shortage, address homelessness, and expand affordable housing options – ensuring Pennsylvanians have access to safe, affordable housing and attracting more people to live here in the Commonwealth.

The Executive Order tasks the Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) with leading the plan’s development, working alongside various stakeholders to identify housing needs and devise a strategic response. The Housing Action Plan will guide efforts to expand affordable housing and provide support to the unhoused. It will also ensure a coordinated, multi-agency approach involving state, local, and federal partners, as well as private organizations.

“To make Pennsylvania more competitive, we must cut costs, grow our workforce, and attract more people to live and work in the Commonwealth. A key challenge we face in attracting new residents is the lack of safe, affordable housing – which is why my Administration is focused on delivering commonsense solutions to expand affordable housing and lower housing costs for Pennsylvanians,” said Shapiro.

“We recognize that Pennsylvania faces unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to housing – that’s why we need a comprehensive, coordinated statewide housing plan. We’re taking action to build more homes in the communities that need them most, lower costs so families can afford to stay in their homes, repair aging houses, and make sure our seniors can live with dignity and comfort. We’re all in this together, and I’m committed to ensuring everyone has access to a place they can truly call home.”

“DCED is excited to work with colleagues inside and outside state government to create an action plan that will increase the supply of workforce housing, boost the supply of affordable housing, and provide critical support for people who are currently unhoused,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger.

“When we created the state’s economic development strategy last year, we heard from stakeholders across Pennsylvania about the urgent need to address our housing challenges in a comprehensive way. The Housing Action Plan will provide a roadmap to increase Pennsylvania’s economic competitiveness and complement our work to make the Commonwealth a top place to live, work, play, and innovate.”

Under the Governor’s Executive Order, the Housing Action Plan will be a data-driven statewide plan with recommendations for increasing housing supply and supporting the preservation of existing housing, including:

• Assess and determine Commonwealth-wide, and regional, and local housing needs;
• Identify goals with measurable outcomes, available resources, and other items DCED believes may be necessary for achieving the goals outlined in the Housing Action Plan;
• Identify, review, and assess the effectiveness of housing programs and resources offered by Commonwealth agencies;
• Provide recommendations for (a) state housing programs, investments, and policymaking initiatives, and (b) leveraging best practices from the public and private sector to improve housing outcomes across the Commonwealth; and
• Recommend strategic planning initiatives that may be implemented over the next five years.
• Additionally, the Executive Order directs the Department of Human Services (DHS) to develop recommendations on policies and best practices for addressing homelessness and supporting individuals in need by collaborating with stakeholders, including the Governor’s Policy and Budget Offices, state agencies, local and federal governments, and community organizations.

“Being able to access and afford safe, reliable housing is essential to a family’s health, stability, and prosperity. This interagency collaboration, along with county and local partners, will simplify navigating housing support systems, reduce bureaucratic red tape, and improve our housing stock,” said DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “Housing is inextricably linked to health outcomes, employability, and quality of life. Governor Shapiro’s Executive Order is a game changing opportunity to come together and invest in strengthening this critical infrastructure for our neighbors and our future.”

“Safe, secure and affordable housing is a basic necessity of life that impacts every community, from Philadelphia to rural areas across the Commonwealth,” said House Majority Appropriations Chairman Rep. Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia). “Governor Shapiro’s Executive Order marks an important step toward addressing the housing challenges we face. By developing a comprehensive Housing Action Plan, we can improve access to safe, affordable housing and tackle the root causes of homelessness. This initiative is critical not only for the economic stability of Pennsylvania but also for the well-being of families and individuals throughout our state.”