Last week, PCRG joined housing and economic development advocates in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C, to champion policies that expand access to affordable housing and drive investment in historically underserved communities. These efforts strengthened relationships with policymakers and reinforced the urgent need for legislative action to create more equitable economic opportunities across Pennsylvania.
Launching the Bipartisan Housing Caucus in Harrisburg
In Harrisburg, PCRG joined a coalition of statewide housing advocates and legislators to celebrate the launch of the bipartisan Housing Caucus. Co-chaired by lawmakers from both parties, this new legislative group will serve as a critical forum for addressing Pennsylvania’s housing challenges and advancing policy solutions that increase affordability and stability for residents.
The formation of the Housing Caucus signals growing recognition among state lawmakers of Pennsylvania’s worsening housing crisis. Rising costs and a shortage of quality, affordable homes make bipartisan collaboration essential to expanding housing options, strengthening programs like Whole Home Repairs, and ensuring communities have the resources they need to thrive. PCRG is proud to stand alongside our partners in advocating for bold, forward-thinking housing policies at the state level.
Advocating for Federal Housing and Investment Policies on Capitol Hill.
Following our work in Harrisburg, PCRG staff, board members, and community leaders traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) Advocacy Hill Day. We met with members of Pennsylvania’s Congressional Delegation to discuss key federal policies affecting housing and small business investment.
Key issues on our agenda included:
Expanding the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC): as the nation’s most effective tool for financing affordable housing, strengthening LIHTC will enable more projects to move forward, providing safe, quality homes for low-and moderate-income families.
Passing the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act (NHIA): This legislation would create a federal tax credit to support home construction and rehabilitation in distressed neighborhoods, closing the appraisal gap and revitalizing communities. We met with Congressman Mike Kelly (R-Erie), a lead sponsor of NHIA, who emphasized the bipartisan support for it addressing the shortage of affordable, owner-occupied homes and its potential impact across Pennsylvania.
Protecting the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA): The CRA ensures banks invest in the communities they serve. We urged policymakers to maintain and strengthen CRA regulations to prevent disinvestment in low-income neighborhoods. While many legislators expressed support, some acknowledged the challenges posed by the current administration. We also discussed potential legislative solutions to codify CRA protections for long-term stability.
Preserving the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund: CDFIs provide essential financing for affordable housing, small businesses and community projects. During our meetings, Congressman Lloyd Smucker (R- Lancaster) reiterated his strong support for CDFI funding, highlighting its role in strengthening local economies. He also shared that he reached out to the U.S. Department of the Treasury to advocate for continued funding.
Strengthening Federal Investment in Affordable Housing: We met with Congresswoman Summer Lee (D-Swissvale), engaged deeply with our group. She emphasized the need for increased federal funding through HUD programs and addressed specific challenges facing communities in Western Pennsylvania. Her commitment to both national policy solutions and local initiatives underscored the importance of collaboration at all levels of government.
Our meetings reaffirmed the need for continued advocacy and collaboration with federal lawmakers. With key negotiations underway in Congress, PCRG remains committed to pushing for legislative solutions that expand housing opportunities, strengthen community investment, and support small businesses.