Governor is unveiling Pennsylvania’s first comprehensive Housing Action Plan to tackle a projected shortfall of about 185,000 homes by 2035, aiming to expand supply, cut red tape, and protect renters and homeowners.

The plan rests on five core goals: build and preserve housing stock, expand housing opportunity, provide pathways to stabilization, modernize regulations, and improve cross-agency coordination and accountability.

Affordability goals focus on expanding supply, improving access to affordable homes, linking residents to rental assistance, and reducing costs and timelines for homebuilding across the state.

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Investments boost workforce and education: $18 million for apprenticeship and career/technical education, $7 million for Schools-to-Work, and $2.5 million for adult and family literacy.

Realizing the plan requires legislative action and support from Senate Republicans, with some opposition to total spending, though some lawmakers signal willingness to collaborate.

Backers include state and housing leaders, health officials, and industry voices who stress urgency and broad support for reforms.

Stakeholders call for standardized state guidance and streamlined permitting, potentially digital, to cut local patchwork and accelerate development.

Industry argues 30% of builders’ costs stem from regulatory issues, with half incurred before construction, highlighting permitting delays as a feasibility concern.

Regulatory barriers and lengthy permitting timelines across multiple levels slow production; streamlining is urged to outpace demand.

Builders note that red tape and slow approvals can push projects over years, inflating costs.

Funding would support new construction, upgrades, and related infrastructure, building on prior investments that created or rehabbed thousands of affordable units.