Fiedler, Innamorato share creative approaches to housing affordability at virtual public hearing
Policy Committee June 1, 2021
HARRISBURG, June 1 – State Rep. Sara Innamorato hosted an informative hearing and discussion on how alternative housing models, affordability and stability can help Pennsylvanians build wealth through homeownership.
Innamorato was joined by Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, chair of the Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People, and members of the House Democratic Policy Committee.
“Everyone deserves to have a roof over their head. That’s true for families, for children and teens, for adults and for senior citizens,” explained Fiedler. “A big part of ensuring housing stability for everyone, is increasing the amount of housing that’s actually affordable. We can — and must — end the current trauma and stress so many people live with when it comes to housing!”
The state of housing markets in a post-COVID-19 world was discussed with Regional Housing Legal Services’ Bob Damewood, staff attorney, and Vanessa Raymond-Garcia, policy analyst.
“Our existing housing system has many flaws and leaves too many of our neighbors behind,” Innamorato said. “Many of these flaws became painfully obvious over the last year, when the pandemic put families under tremendous stress and exposed just how broken our social safety net programs are. We need to find solutions to provide more affordable and stable housing for our neighbors and empower our communities to create equity through housing policies and programs.”
Paul Bradley, president of Resident Owned Communities USA, and government relations representative Judy Sullivan of National Association of Housing Cooperatives shared national and local perspectives on trends for alternative housing models.
Ed Nusser, executive director of City of Bridges Community Land Trust, explained how community land trusts can generate affordable and sustainable housing.
Hearing testimony and video is available at www.pahouse.com/policycommittee.