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5 Critical Ways The Housing Alliance Of PA Is Fighting The 2025 Housing Crisis

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The Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania (HAP) is at the forefront of the state's ongoing affordable housing crisis, and as of late 2025, their advocacy work is more critical than ever. The organization serves as the leading voice for the millions of Pennsylvanians struggling with housing insecurity, focusing on systemic solutions rather than just temporary fixes to the state's severe shortage of safe and decent homes.

The latest data, updated in September 2025, confirms a dire situation: Pennsylvania saw over 115,000 eviction filings in 2024, underscoring the urgent need for the legislative and policy changes that the Housing Alliance of PA is championing. Their current agenda is laser-focused on securing permanent state funding and reforming discriminatory practices to stabilize the lives of extremely low-income renters and families across the Commonwealth.

Housing Alliance of PA Organizational Profile & Key Facts

The Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania (HAP) is a powerful, influential membership organization that coordinates the efforts of non-profits, government agencies, and community leaders who recognize that a safe, stable home is a basic human need.

  • Full Name: Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania (HAP)
  • Founding Year: 1985
  • Original Name: Pennsylvania Low Income Housing Coalition
  • Headquarters: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Mission: To promote solutions that balance Pennsylvania's housing market, increase the supply of safe, decent homes, and prevent homelessness for low-income people.
  • Executive Director: Phyllis Chamberlain
  • Core Focus: Advocacy, education, and providing assistance on housing affordability, homelessness, and blight.
  • Key Partners: PA Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), Pennsylvania General Assembly, local housing providers, and the PA Housing Choices Coalition.

The 5 Most Critical Advocacy Priorities for HAP in 2025

The Housing Alliance of PA's legislative agenda for the 2025-2026 session is centered on addressing the root causes of the housing crisis: the severe shortage of affordable units and the systemic barriers that keep vulnerable residents homeless or housing-insecure. Their work in the Pennsylvania General Assembly is pivotal to the future of housing stability in the state.

1. Championing Eviction Record Sealing Legislation

One of HAP’s top priorities is advocating for legislation that would seal eviction records after a period of seven years. This is a crucial policy change aimed at combating a major systemic barrier to housing access.

  • The Problem: Open eviction records, even for cases that were dismissed or resolved, automatically disqualify tenants from obtaining safe and affordable housing. Landlords often use automated screening processes that reject any applicant with an eviction filing history, regardless of the outcome.
  • The Solution: By sealing these records after seven years, the legislation would give tenants a second chance, making it easier for them to secure rental housing and move forward with their lives.

2. Securing New State Funding for Homelessness Prevention

The Housing Alliance is urgently seeking the creation of a dedicated state funding resource specifically for preventing homelessness. This initiative is designed to be a proactive measure rather than a reactive one.

  • The Goal: To establish a fund that can be used to resolve eviction filing complaints between tenants and landlords.
  • How It Works: These funds would support programs that offer rental and utility assistance, resource navigation, and landlord-tenant mediation, all of which were proven effective during the pandemic under the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).
  • The Urgency: The federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is set to close its operations effective October 1, 2025, making a state-level replacement fund essential to avoid a massive spike in homelessness.

3. Increasing the PA Housing Trust Fund (PHARE) Cap

The Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Fund is one of the most important tools for creating and preserving affordable housing units in the Commonwealth.

  • Recent Success: Governor Josh Shapiro signed the 2024-2025 Commonwealth Budget, which included an increase in the funding cap for the PHARE Fund.
  • HAP’s Ongoing Role: The Housing Alliance continues to advocate for consistent and increased allocations to PHARE, as well as supporting legislation like House Bill 287 (2025-2026), which focuses on establishing and transferring additional funds to the Housing Trust Fund.
  • Impact: Increased PHARE funding directly translates into more resources for local housing organizations to finance affordable and accessible apartment units throughout Pennsylvania.

4. Confronting the Affordable Housing Unit Shortage Head-On

The core of the Pennsylvania housing crisis is a fundamental supply and demand imbalance. The state faces an extreme shortage of housing that is affordable and available to its lowest-income renters.

  • The Stark Statistic: Pennsylvania has an estimated shortage of approximately 267,000 affordable housing units for extremely low-income renters.
  • HAP’s Strategy: The Alliance works with the PA Housing Choices Coalition to advocate for statewide and local solutions that make it easier for communities to build and preserve affordable units.
  • Rural Focus: Recognizing that the crisis is not limited to urban centers, HAP held a Rural Pennsylvania Housing Summit in August 2025 to bring together practitioners and policymakers to address the unique challenges of rural housing insecurity.

5. Mobilizing Local Leaders for Federal Advocacy

While much of HAP’s work is focused on Harrisburg, they also play a vital role in federal advocacy to protect and expand national housing resources.

  • Protecting Federal Funds: HAP mobilizes local advocates and eviction-prevention leaders to share personal stories with Congress. This effort is aimed at protecting crucial federal housing funding from cuts or stagnation.
  • Systemic Change: The organization's goal is to take on the "big systemic challenges" that, when resolved, allow local service providers to deliver housing assistance programs to more people in need.
  • Policy Development: HAP is a key consultant in the development of the Pennsylvania Housing Action Plan, a draft of which is due to the Governor by September 12, 2025, outlining strategic planning initiatives for the future of housing.

The Future of Housing Stability in Pennsylvania

The work of the Housing Alliance of PA is a continuous, uphill battle against rising housing costs, stagnant wages, and outdated policies. The organization’s 2025 priorities—especially the push to seal open eviction records and create a new state homelessness prevention fund—represent a crucial pivot toward long-term stability for vulnerable residents.

With the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program closing in late 2025, the pressure is on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to adopt HAP’s recommendations. The success of these advocacy efforts will determine whether the state can reverse the trend of mass evictions and significantly reduce the staggering shortage of affordable homes for its extremely low-income population. The collaboration between the Housing Alliance of PA, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), and local community development organizations remains the best hope for a more equitable and housing-secure future in the Keystone State.

5 Critical Ways The Housing Alliance of PA is Fighting the 2025 Housing Crisis
housing alliance of pa
housing alliance of pa

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