Governor Josh Shapiro of Abington Township announced today Pennsylvania’s first-ever Housing Action Plan, which is intended to address housing needs across the state.

The plan includes an outline of the current state of housing, projections on housing needs, and nearly thirty initiatives.

“For too many families in Pennsylvania, housing prices are rising faster than their paychecks and the American dream of owning a home no longer feels possible, but it doesn’t have to be this way,” Shapiro said in a statement. “This plan meets Pennsylvania’s housing needs head-on — building more homes, cutting red tape, protecting renters and homeowners, and ensuring our Commonwealth remains the place for people to put down roots, live with the dignity they deserve, and build a future of real opportunity.”

The plan’s five core goals include:

• Build and Preserve Pennsylvania’s Housing Stock. Pennsylvania needs more homes for today and tomorrow, but we must also protect the ones that have long anchored our neighborhoods. By building new houses at a pace that keeps up with our economy and safeguarding the homes we already have, we can ensure that safe, stable, and affordable housing is available to residents for generations to come.
• Expand Housing Opportunity for All Pennsylvanians. A dignified, secure home should never be out of reach. By breaking down barriers, expanding homeownership opportunities, and strengthening tenant protections, we can build a Commonwealth where every resident has the security of a safe, stable, and attainable home.
• Provide Pathways to Housing Stabilization and Sustainability. A strong system supports those residents who are most vulnerable. By connecting Pennsylvanians to resources that prevent displacement and by supporting households during times of crisis, we can reduce housing insecurity – giving our residents the stability they need to grow and our communities the resiliency they need to thrive.
• Modernize Pennsylvania’s Housing Development Regulation. Outdated rules and unnecessary delays drive up costs and slow down progress. By modernizing regulations, cutting red tape, and streamlining development, we can make it easier and more affordable to build homes across the Commonwealth – encouraging investment and helping to ensure that housing is developed where it is needed most.
• Improve coordination and accountability. Pennsylvania’s housing systems work best when they work together. By aligning local and state efforts, sharing data, and coordinating across agencies, we can deliver results efficiently and stay accountable to the residents we serve.

You can learn more about the plan here.

According to the announcement, Shapiro’s 2026-27 proposed budget takes the first steps to implement the plan.

You can watch the budget’s presentation here, during which Shapiro announced a proposed spending budget of $53.2 billion, marking a $2.7 billion increase, up 5.4% from the previous fiscal year.

The proposed budget briefing is below:

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