Safe and dignified housing for all is one of the most important issues to me as your state representative. The path to realizing this dream, however, can be a time-consuming and stressful process for many of our neighbors. To try and fix this issue, I wanted to have a lively conversation about what can be done to make the process more achievable for our communities.
This week, I hosted a PA House Policy Committee hearing on achievable housing, where House Democratic colleagues and I and heard testimony from several experts across the Commonwealth: James Eash from Action Housing Pittsburgh, Craig Burkley of NeighborWorks, and Angel Rodriguez from the Philadelphia Land Bank.
They detailed just a few of the many challenges we face in increasing the affordability of housing for our communities. Mortgage rates, construction costs, and financing options are locking out a whole generation of Pennsylvanians from becoming homeowners.
Roughly half of all renting households are considered cost burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. Not only that, 12 million of those renters spend 50% or more on housing, which results in these households having fewer dollars to spend on essentials and living expenses.
I’ve introduced legislation that would establish the Affordable Homeownership Program in PA and am proud to partner with fellow legislators on an additional bill that would improve housing for older Pennsylvanians.
I will continue to advocate for housing opportunities in Harrisburg and at home because everyone, regardless of status and circumstances, deserves a roof over the heads of themselves and their families.
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Touring a Local Technology Education Institute
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February is National Career and Technology Education Month, so I joined state Sen. Lindsey Williams and other legislators to check out all A.W. Beattie Career Center has to offer.
A.W. Beattie is an extension of nine school districts, including Shaler Area School District, and it was a pleasure to see all the great work they’re doing to help prepare young neighbors for all kinds of trade careers!
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Keeping the Strip District Safe
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A $250,000 state grant was awarded to the city of Pittsburgh to make Smallman Street more accessible for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists in the Strip District.
These dollars build on nearly $1 million secured for this same project by state Sen. Fontana and me last year, and I’m proud to keep residents safe and the community connected.
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A veteran service officer will next be at my Lawrenceville district office Monday, March 17 through Wednesday, March 19. Help will be available with:
- Compensation and pension claims.
- Education benefits.
- Obtaining military personnel and medical records.
- And additional requests.
Please consult the graphic above for the rest of these service dates throughout 2025.
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The next mobile office hours event will take place at Shaler North Hills Library on Monday, March 10 from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Please join my team and me and get assistance with programs and services that include:
- Applications for voter registration and mail ballots.
- Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- PennDOT.
We hope to see you there!
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Housing Assistance Program
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The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh is partnering with Action Housing and the city of Pittsburgh for the 2025 Homeowner Assistance Program. Grants of up to $35,000 will be presented to homeowners for critical repairs and improvements.
The application period closes Friday, March 14 at 4 p.m. Only a limited number of grants will be awarded, so please click here to review the eligibility criteria and required materials to provide before applying.
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Connecting to Good Careers
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Sign up to receive the monthly Career Connect update email from NorthSideWorks!, an initiative of the Northside/North Shore Chamber of Commerce to help get good people into good jobs. The monthly update includes date-dependent information that can assist in skill building and job search decisions in the month ahead.
View the most recent Career Connect here and sign up to get next month’s delivered directly to your inbox here!
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Getting Young Ones Excited about Reading
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Millvale Community Library is introducing its Baby Bag Program, which is focused on helping young children get a jump on enjoying reading.
The library will provide FREE bags of books, games, and toys to parents of kids up to age 1. Parents must apply for a library card or be a library member to be eligible.
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Renew your Furry Friends’ License Today!
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Please remember that any Allegheny County resident who has a dog must register them by the age of 3 months.
Start out the year on a pawsitive foot by clicking here or calling 412-320-4111.
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Coffee & Conversation with Cheryl
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Anchorpoint Wellness Coach Cheryl Yates, MA, will be at North Hills Community Outreach Millvale on Monday, March 17 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. for a group discussion on finding focus in a world of distraction.
Refreshments will also be served, and questions can be emailed to cyates@anchorpoint.org.
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The Etna Neighborhood Association will hold an Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 12 from noon to 2 p.m. at Fugh Hall (27 Crescent Street).
There will also be games, crafts, candy, and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny!
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Millvale’s first of two market days this year is Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 40 local businesses and many more purveyors will be available, so please consider attending and supporting the community!
To learn more or to become a vendor, please click here.
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Local Roadwork in Progress
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If you live in upper Lawrenceville, please consult the graphic above for basic information on Pittsburgh Water’s upcoming inspection work on Butler Street.
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Construction will soon begin on the North Avenue Signals and Safety Project as well. Please click here to learn more.
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Heating bill assistance is available through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The program provides one-time cash payments ranging from $200 to $1,000, depending on household size, income, and fuel type, to qualifying consumers. Crisis grants are also available to households on the brink of losing heat.
Please click here to learn more about the program, how you can apply with your COMPASS account, or to download a paper application that is available in multiple languages. Apply by Friday, April 4.
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The 2025 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program application period is open!
PTRR has made it easier for older friends & neighbors to stay in their homes and afford groceries, medicine, and so much more. Also, don’t forget that thanks to changes made in 2023, eligibility and rebate amounts have increased many times over!
Please click here to apply by Monday, June 30. My staff and I are here to assist with applications as well, so please don’t hesitate to stop by the district office.
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Form for Free Vehicle Registration for Veterans
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PennDOT has issued a new form for veterans seeking to register their car or truck, 9,000 lbs. or less, FREE OF CHARGE.
Please click here to download the form and feel free to reach out to me and my team for assistance.
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Commonwealth Grant Programs
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To review and apply to grant programs available across PA, please click here or on “Grant Programs” under “Help & Services” on the homepage of my legislative website.
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James R. Roebuck Scholarship
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Applications are now being accepted for the 2025-2026 James R. Roebuck Scholarship. Mr. Roebuck was a former member of the PA Legislative Black Caucus and member of the state House for 35 years.
Please click here to learn more and to apply.
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Opportunities for Future Leaders
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The PA House of Representatives Scholarship Program is open for applications. The program provides four-year scholarships to two high school seniors per year and is to be used towards the cost of tuition and fees for a four-year program at a college, university, or career school in the Commonwealth.
Please click here for eligibility criteria and to apply. Applications are due Tuesday, April 15.
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Applications are also being accepted for the PA House Fellowship Program’s spring 2025 semester.
Fellows are assigned to work in House committees or leadership offices, compensated for their work (which may also include college credit), provided opportunities to draft and present their own legislation, and much more.
To view eligibility criteria and to apply, please click here. Please apply by TOMORROW.
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My office provides notary services that include:
- Taking an acknowledgement.
- Administering an oath or affirmation.
- Taking a verification on oath or affirmation (which includes affidavit).
- Witnessing or attesting a signature.
- Certifying or attesting a copy or deposition.
- Taking a note protest of a negotiable instrument.
Please click here or on “Schedule an Appointment” under the “Help & Services” tab on my website.
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The district office is open:
- Monday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Tuesday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Wednesday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Friday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Evening appointments are also available by request on Wednesdays.
The Shaler office is open Thursdays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. or any weekday by appointment.
My staff and I are here to help with all of your state government-related questions and concerns, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to the district office, call us at 412-781-2750, or visit www.RepPowell.com! You can also sign up for my weekly e-newsletters by going to the bottom of my website homepage and submitting the requested information.
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
106-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-9114
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District Office
5154 Butler St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
(412) 781-2750
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