National Fair Housing Month celebrates the passage of the Fair Housing Act, a national law that prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, and gender. The Act was passed in in 1968 and amended in 1988 to include protections for people with disabilities and families with children.
Housing is a Fundamental Right
The Pennsylvania Senate Democrats will continue to fight for:
Equitable housing rights for all Pennsylvanians
Access to safe and affordable housing for all, including low-income earners and veterans
Transparency in laws, processes, and opportunities for homeowners and renters
An end to loopholes that perpetuate discriminatory and negligent practices by landlords
Financial assistance to help homeowners manage property costs and taxes related to rapid changes to neighborhoods and the effects of climate change
Pennsylvania Housing Grants and Assistance
Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund (PAHAF)
As of March 18, 2024, the PAHAF program has reopened and is accepting applications.
Pennsylvania was awarded $350 million for the administration of the program and the disbursement of funds as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Currently, the Pennsylvania Housing Financing Agency estimates that $48-$50 million in remaining PAHAF funds will be available to eligible new applicants for pandemic-related mortgage reinstatement, forward mortgage assistance, tax assistance, and delinquent utility bills.
For more information on the program, eligibility, and how to apply, visit the PAHAF website, or check out this list of FAQs.
Last updated April 8, 2024
Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE)
For more information on available funds and programs, visit the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency website.
Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program
HEMAP was created to protect Pennsylvanians who, through no fault of their own, are financially unable to make their mortgage payments and are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure. HEMAP is a loan program to prevent foreclosure. It is not a grant. Funds loaned must be repaid. Recipients must be able to show that they have a reasonable prospect of resuming full mortgage payments within the required timeframe. HEMAP is funded by State appropriations and through repayment of existing HEMAP loans. Please note that FHA Title II (purchase) mortgages are not eligible under this program.
Two types of assistance are available to the homeowner depending on income and the financial situation:
- continuing mortgage assistance loans; and,
- non–continuing mortgage assistance loans.
PHARE is intended to assist with the creation, rehabilitation, and support of affordable housing throughout the Commonwealth.
For more information on the program, visit the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency website.
Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program helps create affordable housing in the United States. Created by the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the LIHTC program gives State and local LIHTC-allocating agencies the equivalent of approximately $8 billion in annual budget authority to issue tax credits for the acquisition, rehabilitation, or new construction of rental housing targeted to lower-income households. In Pennsylvania, the federal tax credits are administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and approved by its board.
Home Investment Partnership Program
The Pennsylvania HOME Program is a federally funded program that provides municipalities with grant and loan assistance to expand and preserve the supply of decent and affordable housing for low- and very low-income Pennsylvanians. HOME funds can be used in a variety of ways to address critical housing needs in the Commonwealth, including market-oriented approaches that offer opportunities such as homeownership or rental activities to revitalize communities with new investment.
Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP)
The Neighborhood Assistance Program is a tax credit program meant to encourage businesses to invest in projects which improve distressed areas.
A project must serve distressed areas or support neighborhood conservation. Projects must fall under one of the following categories: affordable housing programs, community services, crime prevention, education, job training or neighborhood assistance. A tax credit of up to 55% can be awarded.
Individuals can view the Neighborhood Assistance Program application checklist to help guide the application submission.
Filing a Complaint Against Discrimination
Any person who believes that he or she has been discriminated against or any representative of such a person may file a confidential complaint with the local government, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and/or HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity in Washington DC. More information is available from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
Our Priorites
2023-2024 Legislation
Senate Bill 34 – PA Opportunity Program
Sponsored by Senator Tina Tartaglione
This legislation would establish the PA Opportunity Program with funding for the program coming from the General Fund. Under this program to be administered by the State Treasurer in consultation with the Department of Revenue and the Department of Community and Economic Development, individuals with a household income of $80,000 or less can apply for a one-time, state tax exempt payment up to $2,000 per household. The opportunity payments could assist with expenses such as rental/mortgage assistance and housing repairs.
Senate Bill 124 - End Housing Discrimination Based on Lawful Source of Income
Sponsored by Senators Katie Muth and Carolyn Comitta
This legislation would prohibit property owners from denying housing to individuals based solely on their lawful source of income, including housing vouchers, pension payments, child support, and public assistance.
Senate Bill 202 – Changes to the Municipal Claims and Tax Lien Law for Cities of the Second Class
Sponsored by Senator Wayne Fontana
This legislation would extend the more efficient and inexpensive means of foreclosing municipal claims and tax lien powers of the Municipal Claims and Tax Lien Law (MCTLL), which governs Sheriff Sales, to the City of Pittsburgh and the surrounding municipalities in Allegheny County and their land banks.
Senate Bill 89 – Veterans' Homelessness
Sponsored by Senator Katie Muth
This legislation would bring the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) together to provide assistance to veterans who are experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of experiencing homelessness. Under this legislation, eligible applicants would receive a maximum of $1,000 per month in the form of a rental voucher for a period of 12 months.
Senate Bill 149– Demolition and Rehabilitation Fund
Sponsored by Senator James Brewster
This legislation would establish a county demolition and rehabilitation fund in each county. The fund established may be used by the county, any not-for-profit or pro-profit corporation that has a contract with the county or a taxing district, redevelopment authority, land bank or other government entity, for the demolition or rehabilitation of blighted property located in the county.
Senate Bill 219 – Longtime Owner Occupant Tax Exemption Program (LOOP)
Sponsored by Senator Jay Costa
This legislation would allow Pittsburgh the option of enacting a Longtime Owner Occupant Program (LOOP) to help homeowners better manage property taxes in neighborhoods experiencing rapid change due to economic growth.
Senate Resolution 24 – Resolution to Study the Impact of Housing and Health Quality
Sponsored by Senator Jay Costa
This resolution would authorize the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) to conduct a study on the impact of housing on health quality. The LBFC study would examine health care costs associated with substandard housing and how much public and private funds can be saved by addressing the problem. It would also examine how housing and health connections and financing can be integrated to produce appropriate affordable housing that is linked to both the local health care and social service systems with the objective of improving life situations and reducing health and social service costs.
Senate Bill 91 – Recent Veterans Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
Sponsored by Senator Katie Muth
This legislation would establish a veteran property tax and rent rebate program. This program would be modeled after the Pennsylvania property tax and rent rebate program for seniors. It would be offered to service members ending active status and entering civilian life or honorably discharged within the past three years.
Senate Bill 150 - Prohibiting discrimination based on an individual's sexual orientation, gender identity or expression
Sponsored by Senators Steve Santarsiero and Nikil Saval
This legislation would extend the more efficient and inexpensive means of foreclosing municipal claims and tax lien powers of the Municipal Claims and Tax Lien Law (MCTLL), which governs Sheriff Sales, to the City of Pittsburgh and the surrounding municipalities in Allegheny County and their land banks.
Senate Bill 376 – Creation of a Housing Council
Sponsored by Senators Vincent Hughes and Judy Schwank
This legislation would create the Commonwealth Housing Council within the Governor’s office. The Council would be responsible for developing a unified set of housing-related goals and priorities that serve as a framework for executive departments in their development of housing plans.
Our Members at Work
Pa Senators Put Forth Bold Legislation to Keep Residents in their Homes
HARRISBURG, PA − March 23, 2021 − New legislation introduced by Senators Katie Muth (D–Montgomery/Chester/Berks), Steve Santarsiero (D–Bucks), and Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia) will ensure Pennsylvanians are able to stay safely housed...
Senate Democrats Correct Record on Housing Assistance Program
Pennsylvania − December 22, 2020 − Pennsylvania Senate Democrats seek to correct the record regarding the failure of the General Assembly to address housing insecurity due to COVID 19. Recent press coverage has outlined that $108 million of $175 million intended...
Senator Haywood, Hughes, Street announce $175 million housing assistance program
Senator Haywood Comments on Legislation in Support of State Housing Tax Credits
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...
Advocates & Resources
