Housing (Housing Finance)

Senate Bill 646 establishes the Survivor-Centered, Accessible, Fair and Empowering Housing Trust Fund within the State Treasury. This fund aims to provide emergency, transitional, and permanent housing programs, along with support services, for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, human trafficking, stalking, and their immediate family members. Funding for the trust fund will come from an initial transfer of $1,000,000, a new $10 fee on deed and mortgage filings, and optional $5 contributions during online driver's license or vehicle registration renewals. The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency will administer the fund to support housing stability for this target population.

SB 609 limits county fees for affordable housing programs to 100% of existing deed/mortgage recording fees and requires counties to report annually (starting July 2025) on how they use these funds. It establishes the Pennsylvania Affordable Housing Advisory Committee within the Housing Finance Agency, composed of 16 diverse members representing counties, housing advocates, developers, low-income communities, and related sectors. The committee will review county reports, recommend policy improvements, and ensure transparency through public posting of meeting agendas and minutes. This bill directly affects Pennsylvania counties collecting these fees and the Housing Finance Agency, which oversees reporting requirements and committee operations.

HB 818 creates a program allowing first-time homebuyers in the Commonwealth to open state-backed savings accounts for down payments and closing costs. It establishes a dedicated First-time Homebuyer Savings Account Fund and requires the Treasury Department to manage the program and allocate funds. The bill directly affects eligible first-time homebuyers by providing a new savings mechanism for housing costs. Key provisions include the fund's creation, Treasury's administrative duties, and the structure for account access.