Great news for Pennsylvania homeowners! The bipartisan Whole-Home Repairs Program has just been established by the PA state legislature. The key elements of the policy were passed through the fiscal code and its funding will begin with an allocation from the American Rescue Plan.
The Whole-Home Repairs Program is the first of its kind in the nation. It creates an efficient system that Pennsylvanians can use to apply for funding to repair and weatherize their homes. The program will provide up to $50,000 for habitability repairs and energy efficiency upgrades. The program also establishes an office of support staff to help applicants. It includes funding for pre-apprenticeship and training programs to build a skilled local workforce capable of meeting the growing demand.
Sponsor Senator Nikil Saval of Philadelphia said, “The United States needs a model for how to preserve its aging housing stock and create new jobs, and with the Whole-Home Repairs Program, Pennsylvania has positioned itself as a leader.”
Cindy Daley, Director of Community Redevelopment Initiatives, and Bob Damewood, Senior Saff Attorney, as well as Policy Analyst Vanessa Raymond-Garcia, were part of the coalition that advocated for this bill.
Cindy had this to say:
“The Whole-Home Repairs Program is a great way to preserve the affordable homes that people are already living in. At the same time, the program will improve the quality of life for so many Pennsylvanians, including health outcomes.”
Dina Schlossberg, RHLS Executive Director, is excited to have this Program funded.
“We are proud to be part of the coalition that advocated for this Program. This Program will assist so many low-income households and support community stability and anti-blight initiatives throughout the state.”
This is the largest investment in housing that the legislature has made in recent history. One in four Pennsylvania residents lives in a home that needs a critical repair. One in three Pennsylvania voters can’t afford their utility bills. The passing of this bill represents the work of many housing advocates around the Commonwealth, and RHLS is very proud to be counted among them.