HARRISBURG – A package of legislation aimed at expanding access to attainable housing while preserving local control has advanced out of the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee. Senate Bill 1277, sponsored by Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32), updates current law to give local governments more flexibility by extending the tax abatement cap to 20 years to help spur construction of new homes and local growth.
“Across our commonwealth, too many communities are burdened by vacant and underused properties that could otherwise be transformed into housing and economic opportunities,” Stefano said. “By extending the abatement period to 20 years, we would give counties, municipalities and school districts the flexibility to structure incentives that match the scale and cost of redevelopment. Many redevelopment projects, especially those involving blighted properties, take longer to become financially viable, preventing further development. With this voluntary tool, local leaders are empowered to make decisions that best fit their communities.”
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, Sen. Joe Picozzi (R-5), who chairs the committee, Stefano and their colleagues are advancing a coordinated package of reforms designed to increase housing supply, reduce costs and support smart sustainable growth.
The legislation in this package also includes:
- Senate Bill 803, sponsored by Sen. Rosemary Brown (R-40), would establish the First-Time Homebuyers Savings Account, allowing individuals to save for a home with tax advantages.
- Senate Bill 1278, sponsored by Picozzi, would create 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 Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-28), would create 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 Sen. Greg Rothman (R-34), would streamline 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 while maintaining local input in how communities grow.
Each bill in the package now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
CONTACT: Amanda Cuteri, 717-787-7175