PCRG Connect: July Policy Brief

Supreme Court Rulings 

The U.S. Supreme Court “SCOTUS” ended its term with rulings on many consequential topics, including guns, wealth tax, redistricting, abortion and presidential immunity. In a 6-3 decision, SCOTUS also found that cities can enforce bans on and criminalize homeless people sleeping in public spaces – retracting a previous constitutional prohibition classifying it as cruel and unusual punishment to do so when shelter space is lacking. Local leaders like Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato have said the SCOTUS decision will not impact the local homelessness policy.  

State Budget 

The state budget deadline has passed, and the legislature missed its June 30 deadline. Lawmakers are scheduled to be in session through early next week and are expected to finalize the FY 2024-2025 spending plan. However, negotiations for the code bills (which actually lay out how funding is utilized) are expected to go well into the summer.   

After numerous conversations with legislators and committee staff, we have been informed that the housing and community development priorities laid out in Gov. Shapiro’s $48.3 billion spending plan are still on the negotiating table – including increasing the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE) to $100 million, $50 million for the Whole Homes Repairs program, and $5 million for tenants’ rights to counsel. We will continue to keep you updated on the ongoing negotiations.  

PLB still lacks a taxing body agreement… 

The Pittsburgh Land Bank is still without a taxing body agreement that would enable the body to exercise its full powers, as authorized under the PA Land Banking Act. The hold-up right now is that some members of Pittsburgh City Council want the authority to negotiate with the taxing bodies (county, school district and water authority) rather than go through the Gainey Administration. PCRG will keep members updated on negotiations and any calls to action.  

ICYMI 

WESA did a profile on new Allegheny County Housing Strategist, Ed Nusser. The former Executive Director of the City of Bridges Community Land Trust laid out his housing vision, including addressing homelessness under the “500 in 500” initiative (which aims to house 500 people in 500 days), affordable housing developments and more.  Nusser will be the special guest at PCRG’s Vacant Property Working Group meeting later this month.