Gov. Shapiro Unveils $1B Housing Plan for Pennsylvania

The proposal includes new funding, renter protections, and zoning reforms to tackle rising housing costs statewide.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has announced a $1 billion housing plan as part of his budget proposal. The plan aims to spur new developments, protect renters, and address the state's affordable housing crisis. It includes reforms such as limits on rental application fees, sealing eviction records, and guardrails on lot rent increases in manufactured home communities.

Why it matters

The governor's housing plan is a significant policy initiative that seeks to make Pennsylvania a national leader in housing construction and reduce homelessness. It reflects the growing concern over the state's affordable housing challenges and the need for comprehensive solutions involving both the executive and legislative branches.

The details

The $1 billion housing plan calls for the creation of a new Deputy Secretary for Housing position at the Department of Community and Economic Development to coordinate efforts across agencies. The proposal also includes renter protections such as limits on rental application fees, sealing eviction records for tenants never ultimately evicted, and guardrails on annual lot rent increases in manufactured home communities. However, the plan will require approval from the Republican-controlled state Senate, which has expressed concerns about the governor's overall spending proposals.

  • The governor announced the housing plan on February 13, 2026 as part of his budget pitch.
  • The legislature will need to approve the plan through an act, which could take several months.

The players

Gov. Josh Shapiro

The governor of Pennsylvania who unveiled the $1 billion housing plan as part of his budget proposal.

Joe Pittman

Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader, a Republican who has expressed concerns about the governor's proposed overall spending.

Vincent Hughes

A Democratic state senator who said he looks forward to working with both parties on the housing plan.

Rick Siger

The secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development, who will oversee the new Deputy Secretary for Housing position.

Val Arkoosh

The secretary of the Department of Human Services, who emphasized the connection between stable housing and health.

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What they’re saying

“The governor simply wants to spend too much money in this budget, full stop.”

— Joe Pittman, Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader (whyy.org)

“There'll be stuff you can do by executive order, governor, and we want to make sure that gets done. But it's going to be the Legislature that can make sure that all of the systematic changes get done and the money gets appropriated as well.”

— Vincent Hughes, State Senator (whyy.org)

“We will reduce homelessness to the lowest levels in the entire region, and we'll create new opportunities for millions of Pennsylvanians.”

— Josh Shapiro (whyy.org)

“I could prescribe antibiotics. I could prescribe insulin. But the one essential treatment I could not prescribe was a home.”

— Val Arkoosh, Secretary of the Department of Human Services (whyy.org)

“Not only were we dealing with the loss of our loved one, but we were also in danger of losing our family home and heading for foreclosure. I would like to thank Gov. Shapiro for announcing his new housing plan, including reforms to help other families going through the same hardship.”

— Eunique Carr, Philadelphia resident (whyy.org)

What’s next

The legislature will need to approve the housing plan through an act, which could take several months. The governor's office and state lawmakers will need to work together to ensure the plan's implementation.

The takeaway

Governor Shapiro's $1 billion housing plan represents a significant effort to address Pennsylvania's affordable housing crisis. By combining new funding, renter protections, and zoning reforms, the plan aims to spur new developments, reduce homelessness, and create new opportunities for residents across the state. However, the plan's success will depend on securing legislative approval and coordinating implementation across state agencies.