People who are homeless in Pennsylvania have new hope. House Bill 1076, legislation that would use collaborative relationships among municipalities to address the need for housing for the homeless across the state is now poised for a vote by the full House of Representatives.
The bill, introduced by state Rep. Tom Caltagirone, D-Berks, would form what are commonly referred to as ‘land banks’ at the municipal level, enabling municipalities to partner with private developers and others to convert abandoned and blighted properties into housing for the homeless.
“The House Urban Affairs Committee’s unanimous passage of House Bill 1076 today moves us one step closer to helping eliminate homelessness in Pennsylvania,” said Caltagirone. “I thank the chairman of the committee and the advocates and stake holders for helping get this bill moved, especially the PA Catholic Conference for their commitment and efforts to combat homelessness across the Commonwealth.”
According to federal estimates, the majority of the homeless in Pennsylvania are staying in emergency shelters, with the remainder living in cars, abandoned buildings or under bridges. If passed into law, this bill would create many more affordable housing alternatives all across the Commonwealth.
