Harrisburg – January 29, 2020 – State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) released the following statement about legislation passed in the State Senate to increase affordable housing in Pennsylvania:
“Prior to joining the State Senate, I was a lawyer for 30 years representing nonprofit organizations that created affordable housing opportunities for families. During that time, the federal low-income housing tax credit successfully provided developers a tax incentive to fix blighted and abandoned homes and create new affordable housing apartments. Now, this legislation to provide a state housing tax credit will further allow Pennsylvania residents with low and moderate-income to rent decent apartments they can afford.
In addition, through this legislation, economic opportunities will be available through the construction of new housing units, as well as the rehabilitation of older ones. A recent Economic Impact Brief published by the Pennsylvania Housing Alliance shows that in Pennsylvania, every $10 million invested in affordable housing construction will generate a $19.6 million total economic impact and support 110 jobs. Read the brief at https://housingalliancepa.org/economic-impact.
Lack of affordable housing was consistently cited as a barrier to getting out of poverty during my five-stop Poverty Listening Tour of Pennsylvania. Senior citizens, families and children, and individuals with disabilities will benefit from this legislation. I support the state housing tax credit to generate affordable housing.”
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