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Governors

Shapiro Administration Doubles Down on Affordable Housing Investments in Pennsylvania

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Governor Josh Shapiro, a key proponent of increasing affordable housing in the state, has nearly doubled the Commonwealth's investment in the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Fund since taking office. The Governor has also proposed a new statewide housing repair fund, additional funding for first-time homebuyers, and other initiatives to address the state's housing crisis.

Key Takeaways:

  • Since Governor Shapiro took office, PHARE-funded housing projects have increased by 55 percent, with over 1,000 projects funded to build or repair over 8,200 housing units across the Commonwealth.
  • The latest round of PHARE funding announced in June will create 270 new affordable housing units, preserve or rehabilitate 2,050 existing units, build 56 new single-family homes, provide housing assistance to over 13,900 families, and deliver housing counseling and financial education to over 11,400 households.
  • At least $49 million, or 67 percent, of PHARE funding this cycle will support projects serving households earning less than 50 percent of the area median income.
  • Governor Shapiro's 2025-26 budget proposal calls for an additional $10 million increase in PHARE funding by 2028-29, raising the cap to $110 million and delivering the largest overall housing investment in Pennsylvania history.
  • The Governor's budget proposal also includes $50 million for a new statewide housing repair fund, $10 million to help first-time homebuyers with closing costs, and targeted eviction record sealing reform to improve access to housing and employment.
  • Pennsylvania is currently short more than 100,000 housing units, and nearly 60 percent of homes were built before 1970.
  • The number of renters in Pennsylvania has grown by nearly 200,000 households since 2010, even as the supply of low-cost rentals has declined.
  • Governor Shapiro has proposed establishing an Interagency Council on Homelessness to improve coordination of services and support unhoused Pennsylvanians.

Statistics:

  • 55% increase in PHARE-funded housing projects since Governor Shapiro took office.
  • Over 8,200 housing units built or repaired through PHARE projects across the Commonwealth.
  • 270 new affordable housing units created through the latest round of PHARE funding.
  • 2,050 existing units preserved or rehabilitated through PHARE funding.
  • 56 new single-family homes built through PHARE funding.
  • Over 13,900 families provided with housing assistance through PHARE funding.
  • Over 11,400 households delivered housing counseling and financial education through PHARE funding.
  • $49 million, or 67 percent, of PHARE funding this cycle supporting projects serving households earning less than 50 percent of the area median income.
  • $110 million PHARE funding cap by 2028-29, as proposed in Governor Shapiro's 2025-26 budget.
  • $50 million for a new statewide housing repair fund in Governor Shapiro's 2025-26 budget proposal.
  • $10 million to help first-time homebuyers with closing costs in Governor Shapiro's 2025-26 budget proposal.

Sources:

  • Pennsylvania Governor's Office. (2025). WATCH: Governor Shapiro and LeSean McCoy Talk About Building Affordable Housing for the Next Generation and Giving Back in Harrisburg.
  • Pennsylvania Governor's Office. (2025). Governor Shapiro's 2025-26 Budget in Brief.
  • Pennsylvania Governor's Office. (2024). Executive Order 2024-03: Creating Pennsylvania's First-Ever Comprehensive Housing Action Plan.
  • Pennsylvania Governor's Office. (2024). Shapiro Administration Announces Major Progress on Housing Affordability and Rental Options.

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